Why Was Kezia Afraid of Her Father? (The Little Girl)

To Kezia, her father appeared as a terrifying giant. She viewed his hands, his neck, and especially his mouth when he yawned, as disproportionately large and intimidating. Rather than being a warm and loving parent, he was an incredibly strict disciplinarian who commanded everyone in the house, constantly demanding his tea, newspaper, and slippers.

Unlike the neighbor, Mr. Macdonald, who played joyfully with his children in the garden, Kezia's father never spent quality, playful time with her. He was always busy with work. When he looked at her over his reading spectacles, his gaze was harsh and terrifying, making her feel like an unwanted nuisance rather than a beloved daughter.

Kezia's fear was cemented when she tried to make him a surprise birthday gift—a pincushion. Innocently, she stuffed the cushion with some important papers she found on his desk, not realizing they were his great speech for the Port Authority. When her father discovered what she had done, he did not listen to her explanations and beat her little pink palms with a ruler to teach her a lesson not to touch what didn't belong to her.

It is only at the very end of the story, when Kezia's mother is hospitalized and she has a nightmare, that her father comes to comfort her. He carries her into his bed and warms her cold feet. In that moment, Kezia realizes that he is not a monster, but just a very tired man who works too hard to have the energy to play, realizing he has a 'big heart' after all.