Beauty vs. Brains
Dear Frankie,
Cassie and Luella are both wicked smart math students.
Cassie is a tall, lanky Irish Setter with silky red fur. Luella is a short terrier mix with coarse tan fur.
Whenever the teacher asks a question, they are always the first to raise their paws. Most of the time, the teacher will call on Cassie.
Last week, the principal chose Cassie to represent our school at the state math competition.
Why doesn’t Luella get the same recognition as Cassie?
Annabelle
Dear Annabelle,
It might have something to do with Cassie’s good looks. Humans admire physical beauty.
They will do anything to make themselves look good: personal trainers, diets, cosmetic and dental surgery, you name it.
Still, they say that beauty is only skin deep and that what matters is not how you look on the outside, but who you are on the inside.
If they really believed that, why do they spend billions of dollars on beauty services and products every year?
Best, Frankie
© 2026 Geneva Woodruff
Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighborhood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online subscription, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.
•••
Click here to download the 3/12/26 issue: 03-12-26 SnowEater
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
