A curious little girl
Looking around
Wanting to find the answers
Why do we need to breathe?
How do we use our brains?
So many questions
So much curiosity
But they say no
Pressing her down
Pushing her in a small box
She has to fit in their little space
Her curiosity fades away
Her mind numbs away
No more searching
No more questioning
One less bright mind in the world
— Lauren Kim, sixth grade. Churchill Road Elementary School, McLean.