The Time Ramona Quimby Was "The Baddest Witch In The World"

Being An Individual

The Story

In RAMONA THE PEST by Beverly Cleary, Ramona wants nothing more than to be a scary witch for Halloween, and not just any witch, but “the baddest witch in the world.” She asks her mother for a rubber witch mask, and enjoys scaring herself with it. “YAH, YAH! I’m the baddest witch in the world!” she hollers. On Halloween, she puts on the mask, along with a long black robe and pointed hat, and excitedly goes to school for the annual kindergarten costume parade.

Once there, though, Ramona realizes that she isn’t the only witch in the parade. In fact, with her mask on, no one knows who she is— not even her beloved teacher, Miss Binney. This frightens Ramona even more than the mask itself, and before the parade, she quickly makes a sign to hang around her neck that reads, “RAMONA Q.” She is deeply relieved when her friends, teacher and mother recognize her again, even behind her mask. Ramona doesn’t want to be like everyone else. She wants to stand out!

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

What I love about this story is that Ramona started asserting her individualism before she even got to the Halloween parade. She called herself “the baddest witch in the world.” This meant that she was not exactly the same as the other boys and girls wearing witch costumes. She, Ramona, was set apart. A little alike, and a little different.

I don’t think it’s healthy to walk around calling yourself the baddest this or the worst that, or even the best this or that. (Do that enough, and you’ll start to sound like our former president, who may never be the country’s supreme ruler, as he desires, but is certainly king of hyperbole.) But standing out like Ramona did— wanting to be a little different, maybe even a little “extra”—is good and healthy. It can give you confidence and teach you what’s most important to you.

The Character Trait

Being an individual means deliberately setting yourself apart from the rest of the group— but crucially, it doesn’t mean not being a part of the group. Some people take individualism too far, believing that “every man is an island.” This isn’t practical, possible, or even desired in modern society.

The people who stand out best are the ones who set themselves apart, and also feel loyalty to the group. Often, people who value individualism, and believe that they are capable of something more or different, end up being leaders.

Let’s Do Some Stuff Together

Ask yourself: in what areas of your life do you already stand out? In what ways do you want to stand out more? In what areas do you want to stand out less?

In what ways do you wish you could control the ways you stand out? (For some, the way our bodies appear to others makes us stand out in ways that we wouldn’t choose for ourselves.)

Want more?

If you’re a parent or teacher, notice the kids who don’t always call attention to themselves, and give them a chance to shine. Everyone wants to be recognized for being who they are.

If you’re a writer/creator, ask yourself how your work distinguishes you from the work of others. How does your creativity make you stand out from the crowd?

How did this work for you? Leave a comment below, and you might be featured in next week’s newsletter!

Stuff You Might Like To Know

I’m currently reading HANA KHAN CARRIES ON by Uzma Jalaluddin and THE HOUSE KEEPERS by Alex Hay. Both fun reads in different ways!

I’m listening to THE MYSTERY GUEST by Nita Prose (sequel to THE MAID) on Audible, and the reader is excellent.

I’m excited for my anniversary trip to Las Vegas with my husband, coming up soon! We’ve never been. Any must-see, must-dos? We both love great food, beautiful views, and music, of course.

Here’s to us, in all of our imperfect, striving goodness.

Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying.