Children's Life Issues

A comforting primer in emotional literacy and mindfulness that suggests we approach the feeling of sadness as if it is our guest.

In this new addition to the Ripple Effects series (When Children Play, Pay It Forward Kids), you'll meet sixteen changemakers -- boys, girls, men, and women. All of them are part of Ashoka, an organization that offers networking, mentorship, and financial aid to social entrepreneurs of all ages around the world.

Mariana the Mermaid is not like the other mermaids. Abandoned by a careless mother on the ocean floor, she has never laughed or played, and can barely even swim. She feels useless.

Sometimes I feel sad.
Sometimes it's because I've lost something.
Or because I'm hurt.
Other times I don't know why I feel sad.
I just do.

First they went after Jalal.
But I'm not black -
So I didn't stand up for him.

Then they went after Mariana.
I was born in this country -
So I didn't stand up for her.

In a deep dark forest, Little Coyote grows up with a tough gang of big strong coyotes. They are cruel, call him names and order him about all day long.