Baby Girl - By Jessica Young

Written By: Jessica Young

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Jessica Young, writing under the name "Baby girl," presents a touching short story titled "Baby Girl." Submitted as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 organized by Hashtag Kalakar, this piece delves into themes of resilience and personal growth. The narrative follows the protagonist's journey through various life stages, painting a vivid picture of challenges and triumphs.

About the Work

"Baby Girl" is a narrative rich in imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of a journey from childhood to adulthood. Jessica Young's storytelling immerses readers in the protagonist's world, filled with both struggles and victories. The work stands out for its lyrical style, evoking a sense of nostalgia and hope. Young's ability to convey deep messages through simple yet evocative prose shines throughout the story.

Baby girl

Original Submission by Jessica Young

Baby girl

It all started on a crisp June winters morning, somewhere near the ocean. Kicking; screaming; crying; pushing; supporting. Next minute “Congratulations, healthy baby girl.” Two weeks later packed up shop and moved to a much colder spot, the ocean rather than issuing a warm welcome spat icy daggers in your face. Pneumonia, common cold and bronchitis all took their turns. Three years tick past on the clocks, car is packed, to the middle they go. Where there is no oceans or seas, just buildings as far as the eye can see.

Arts and crafts; spelling; learning to swim all shuffled in and made themselves a home. Baby girl was growing, lengthways faster than lightning. At two she topped a hundred centimetres, by four she was teetering near a hundred and thirty, only twenty short of her mom. Nursery school was trauma, it was hell. Separation anxiety meant the immediate emptying of her bowels in an upward motion. The colours they did fly, pink, green and blue. While baby girl wondered, why? Her teacher didn’t like her much, considering she was so good at spelling and such. Forced her to write with her right hand, yet she still played in the sand. She took part in pottery; karate and dancing too. This is where her true passion grew.

Graduation came so fast, time waits for no one, baby girl was off to grade one. At a staggering a hundred and fifty centimetres now, she towered above her peers, standing out like a tree was one of her deepest fears. Baby girl turned seven that year, what a celebration! Her parents took her on an overseas vacation. Dubai hot and humid, London hot and fumid, Paris hot and stupid. Baby girl doesn’t remember much, she was too young for all the rush. Disneyland for her birthday was okay, considering they had to stand in lines all day. She was too tall for the kids rides, too short for the adults. Coming back home, mom was ill, swine flu they said, first one in the country. We don’t have the pill.

Time walked along baby girl got through grade one, even two, even three and four. Then grade five, the air smelled of change, she went to try out sports for a change. And by luck, wouldn’t you believe it? By sixth grade she was pro, playing amongst those who gave her vicious blows. You see it wasn’t perfect; her extreme height had caused others to forget. They teased joked and poked.

Throughout the jokesters her shine shone on, she danced her heart out every afternoon. When she saw the cost of pointe shoes, she nearly swooned. The shoes were bought the laces were drawn taunt, all prepared for the big show. She went on stage, dressed as a grandpa. Oh wow, look at that glow! The stage was her home, she could never hear the blows.

Primary school ended, she paid it no mind, she was determined to make high school “mine”. Dancing on pause she launched into grade eight’s mighty jaws. They chomped

down so hard that she had been rightfully scarred. Not having learnt her lesson grade nine chewed her up and spat her out, yet that caused her no doubt. She buckled down and showed no mercy, only to be shown the right route with a courtesy. She was not made for Maths or Science or Biology or even English. Yet that didn’t stop her wrath. Baby girl was growing up now; a slight name change gave her the buildup to tackle dancing again.

She enrolled, stretched, practiced and improved. All the way onto the stage in the UK in order to be approved. Dancing in Shakespeare’s theatre brought more than just delight, it showed big girl that she could take flight. The flight home with three massive trophies showed her deep-down combative spirit.

Knowing her strength lies within she never gave up, danced more and more hours each day, just to show she was tough. Day started at five, she had to be up and alive, school till three, then first aid duty, dancing from four till seven, no chance at a break from heaven. Then back to school to analyse an old poet who is definitely not in heaven. It was tough, yet she was tougher.

Yet not tough enough because Covid was tougher.

Covid hit in her final year of school, sending everyone inside and curating new rules. Studying online, a blessing in disguise, she never took her eyes of the prize. Graduated with two As. She left the house, moved down to the Cape, set to study English, that was her douse.

Big girl nearly drops out, fails a subject and has to take care of mom for half a year, yet that never changes her object. She was determined to graduate and that she did, but not before meeting a man to date. He has eyes of green and hair of brown, he was her bartender once, back in Cape Town. They work boring jobs, movie in together, even get engaged before deciding, two kittens will be just fine to manage. Crouton and Meatball the menaces that they are, now stay with relatives while mom and dad are far.

Big girl and fiancé sit together one cool August night. They know both their hearts yearn for a flight. Their first international trip! Would it be to Europe? Or America? Or Egypt?

No, it was to Russia, to experience the true white Christmas too. They saw and did so much there, if I had to speak of it all, you would all pull out your hair.

One warm December fiancé makes a promise. Before your birthday we will be somewhere new. “Honest?” big girl asked. Yet here we sit, in the most beautiful country filled with wit. Fiancé kept his promise. She is always over the moon knowing he is right behind her. No matter the day, no matter the struggle, find you a fiancé that supports you.

Our story has caught up to the present, let me leave my final remark.

Never give up and always stand true, the whole world is out there just waiting for you.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary creativity. It invites writers from around the globe to showcase their talent in poetry, short stories, and creative writing. This competition serves as a beacon for aspiring writers to express their unique voices and reach a wider audience through their compelling narratives.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jessica Young for her captivating short story, "Baby Girl." Her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 is truly appreciated. Through her narrative, she has shared a poignant exploration of growth and resilience, reminding us of the power of perseverance.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.