‘Get up Durdana, it is time for school,” yelled Mrs Yahya, pushing her door. Durdana opened her red and puffy eyes owing to her late nights. Mrs Yahya always scolded Durdana because of sleeping late at night. Durdana suffered from a low-self esteem and always under estimate herself. She wanted to please everyone around her and was never truly happy. She was not aware of any talent she had. One night, after sleeping very late and being exhausted, Durdana fell into a deep, dreamless sleep and found herself in the presence of her soul that only glared at her. Durdana approached her soul who was saying, “Who loves you the most? Who cares about you the most and who criticises you the most?” Durdana became speechless and only stared back in horror. “It is you who loves you the most, cares for you the most, can feel your value the most and can even criticise you the most,” answered her soul, following which there was a long pause. Durdana replied slowly, “What does all of this has got to do with me or my personality? Why do people only criticise me?”. The spirit replied, “As I told you before, it’s you who criticises your own self and restrict yourself. Never value the opinion of other people but your own selves because only you can love and value yourself.” And then, as if out of nowhere, Durdana began screaming and finally woke up. The second night, she had this dream again with her own reflection saying all these things. Frightened, she told her mother all this. “Darling, it’s your soul that’s trying to rescue you from self critique. You’re unique and no one can replace you, neither can anyone compete with you. Don’t be bothered when someone criticises you. People are just jealous and they always want to bring you down because they know how good you are,” her mother said. “Yes mother, but,” Durdana said, but her mother interrupted her, “But what? I hope what I said is now clear to you. Show maturity and be someone who values her attributes and strengths.” Durdana hugged her mother and promised her that she will never dare to change herself for anyone. And she will always be what she is and what she will always be the best version of herself. The writer is a student and can be reached at saharakarim345@gmail.com