Pro-Ana Fairytale

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time there was a healthy young girl who lived a perfectly happy life.

One day, while walking through the forest of glossies she spied a magazine. This magazine was a special magazine. It told her magical secrets. It told her that she could become the most beautiful princess in the land. Inside its pages shone a magic apple.

This apple was called "The Apple of Perfection". It was shiny and delicious, it made you stare. Crunchy, sweet and tempting, the girl took the apple to discover it's secrets and become a beautiful princess.

Little did she know, the apple was cursed. "Whomever shall eat The Apple of Perfection and seek to become a princess shall suffer a thousand years of torment. They shall be cursed with the burden of unworthiness, the horror of the scale and the dagger of hunger. Every flaw will be magnified to such an extent that only the flaws will remain. Few are the ones strong enough to break the curse, for they must seek the chalice of contentment, which lies beyond the valley of self-hatred."

Slowly the girl changed. Where once was a healthy glow, now was a veil of pallor. Where there was vitality only bones protruded.

Lost in a fog of darkness and despair, a light suddenly flashed forth!

"Young girl! Why are you crying?"

"Because I am mud. I am nothing."

"Hush! You must now listen. You are loved. You are more than your outward appearance. Look inside yourself and see the girl you once were. You are a good person."

The girl opened her eyes. She saw the ravages of The Apple. She remembered how long ago she would run on the sand of the beach and laugh over coffee with friends. Where was that girl now? Who was this shadow of herself that remained?

Standing up she lit a torch. Placing the burning ember on the mountains of media entombing her she cried...

"No more! Never will I believe in The Apple again! I was born as I am, nothing can change that! From this day forward I vow to be content with what I was given. A strong body that will serve me well all the years of my life. A focused mind that can overcome the most insurmountable obstacles. A face that can smile, laugh and tell my story. I am me."

As the flames roared behind her, finally the girl began to smile.