They Called My Daughter a Trash Can

Before the school stage play performance, my daughter Betty came home clutching a dingy cardboard costume, secretly wiping tears in the corner.

I asked her what role she was playing.

She mumbled quietly, "A trash can."

Her teacher posted the program schedule in the group chat, explaining: "Every child is important. Trash cans are also part of urban civilization."

But when I clicked on it, I discovered that the school board chairman's daughter was playing the princess, and the PTA president's son was playing the prince.