Crowning Glory

    By chanellhearn

    Crowning Glory cover image

    11 Jun, 2024

    a cartoon girl sitting at a kitchen table with a plate of food in front of her and a pot of food on the counter, Cliff Childs, highly detailed digital painting, a character portrait, photorealism

    Zuri was a lively little girl who loved to play and learn. But she often felt self-conscious about her hair, which was different from her classmates'.

    a cartoon of a girl and a girl in a kitchen with a bowl of fruit on the counter and a shelf with pots and pans, Constance Gordon-Cumming, comic cover art, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    One day, Zuri's mother noticed her daughter's sadness. 'Why the long face, sweetheart?' she asked, pulling Zuri into a warm hug.

    a cartoon girl standing in a bedroom with a bookcase full of books and toys on the floor and a bed with a teddy bear on the wall, Chris LaBrooy, promotional image, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    Zuri confessed, 'Mama, I don't like my hair. It's too curly, too big.' Mrs. Johnson looked at her, understanding the sentiment.

    a woman and a child are reading a book together in a bedroom with a bed and a dresser with pictures on the walls, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, storybook illustration, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    'Baby, your hair is a crown, a beautiful gift,' Mrs. Johnson said, running her fingers through Zuri's curls. 'It's unique, just like you.'

    a woman and a child are in a kitchen with cookies on a plate and a pot of tea on the counter, Dorothy Coke, highly detailed digital painting, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    Bibi, Zuri's grandmother, joined them. 'In our culture, hair holds power, history, and beauty,' she explained, sharing stories of their ancestors.

    a woman and a child are in the kitchen together, one is holding a cookie and the other is eating cookies, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, storybook illustration, a storybook illustration, afrofuturism

    Zuri listened, her eyes wide. She had never thought of her hair in this way. It felt empowering, and she started to see her hair differently.

    a group of children walking down a sidewalk holding hands and smiling at the camera, with a park in the background, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, official art, a storybook illustration, paris school

    The next day, Lily, a classmate, complimented Zuri's hair. 'Your hair is so cool, Zuri!' she exclaimed, leaving Zuri pleasantly surprised.

    a cartoon girl in a blue dress walking through a playground with a playground set in the background and children playing in the background, Constance Gordon-Cumming, storybook illustration, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    For the first time, she didn't feel self-conscious. Instead, she felt proud. She smiled, thanking Lily, her heart filled with newfound confidence.

    a woman and two children are eating spaghetti together at a table in a dining room with a lamp on, Ella Guru, storybook illustration, a storybook illustration, american scene painting

    That evening, Zuri shared her day with her family. 'I'm proud of my hair, Mama, Bibi,' she declared, her eyes shining bright.

    a painting of a family sitting at a table with food and drinks in front of them, and a woman standing behind them, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, highly detailed digital painting, a storybook illustration, lyco art

    Mrs. Johnson and Bibi exchanged proud glances. 'That's our girl,' Mrs. Johnson said, her eyes welling up with joy.

    a cartoon girl with curly hair standing in front of a dresser with a mirror and a doll in the background, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, highly detailed digital painting, a storybook illustration, photorealism

    Zuri looked at her reflection, her fingers running through her curls. She no longer saw her hair as a burden, but as a crown.

    a cartoon girl standing in a bedroom with a teddy bear on the wall behind her and a window behind her, Alexis Simon Belle, rossdraws global illumination, a storybook illustration, photorealism

    Zuri had learned to love her hair, embracing its natural beauty. She was unique, she was beautiful, and she was proud.