The Girl with Funny Faces is a heartwarming original tale about the healing power of humor and kindness. The ordinary little girl at the center of the story possesses a remarkable gift: instead of scolding or persuading others, she makes them laugh by pulling silly faces. Crying children, bullies, quarreling adults, and even those trapped in lies rediscover their honesty and gentleness through laughter. The story shows that a smile can remove the thorns from the heart and awaken the goodness that lies within us. Most importantly, it reminds children that this magical power does not belong only to one special girl—it lives in every one of them, waiting to bring happiness to the people they love.
The Girl with Funny Faces
Today, TORYG-World is visiting Hassamu Nikorin Kodomoen for the first storytelling session of the new school year.
We will enjoy this original story together with the children.
The children, all three years old and older, were waiting eagerly.
What kind of faces did everyone have when they came to school this morning?
A face sparkling with excitement, thinking, “I can’t wait to play with my friends!”
A face fluttering with anticipation, wondering, “What will our teacher do today?”
A grumpy, pouting face.
A sleepy, drowsy face.
A bright and energetic face, bursting with strength.
Can you show me what kind of face you had?
That’s right.
All kinds of feelings appear on our faces.
Isn’t it wonderful how our feelings can change our expressions?
Today, let’s begin with a story about faces.
Not so very long ago, there was a little girl.
She was not especially noticeable.
She looked like an ordinary, lovely child.
But there was something different about her.
Whenever she saw a small child crying, she would walk over and make a funny face.
Do you know what a funny face is?
Let’s all try it together!
Pair up with a partner.
One of you will pretend to cry, and the other will be the girl.
Can you make the crying child laugh?
Ready? Make your funniest face!
Now switch roles and try again.
All right, let’s return to the story.
That’s what she did.
Whenever she saw someone crying, she would go over and make a funny face until they smiled.
When people asked her why, she would say with a gentle smile:
“Because if someone keeps crying, I start to feel sad too.
And it hurts to see them unhappy.
When they smile, they feel stronger again.”
One day, there was a bully teasing another child.
The girl stepped in front of the child who was being hurt.
The bully glared and shouted,
“What? Do you want me to pick on you too?”
That would be scary, wouldn’t it?
But the girl suddenly made a funny face.
The bully burst out laughing.
Then he scratched his head and said,
“Why am I doing something so silly?”
He apologized and shuffled away.
Perhaps her funny face chased the meanness out of his heart.
Another day, two grown-ups were shouting at each other.
Harsh words filled the air, and it looked as if they might start fighting.
The girl quietly stepped between them.
The two adults blinked in surprise.
“What is this little girl doing here?”
Then she made her funny face.
And what do you think happened?
They both doubled over with laughter.
“I’m sorry,” said one.
“I got angry without thinking.”
“And I’m sorry too,” said the other.
“I said things I didn’t really mean.”
They shook hands and made peace.
When they looked around, the girl had disappeared.
All that remained was the strange, dreamlike feeling that something magical had happened.
Still another time, two people were arguing over who was telling the truth.
The girl was called to help.
She stood between them and made her funny face.
At once, both of them started laughing.
Soon they admitted that they only wanted to be friends, but had piled one lie on top of another.
They apologized to each other.
When hearts understand one another, everything feels bright and clear.
Quarrels are like thorns stuck deep inside the heart.
The girl had gently removed those thorns.
People become sad when they argue.
People hurt one another when they fight.
People get into trouble when they tell lies.
The girl could sense the restless feelings hidden in their hearts.
Her special gift was to help people remember their honesty and kindness through laughter.
She did not know exactly how she gained this power.
But she hated seeing hearts grow dark with anger.
She hated seeing tears that would not stop.
She simply could not ignore such feelings.
One day, when she herself felt very sad, she looked in the mirror and saw a gloomy face staring back at her.
So she made a funny face.
Suddenly her heart felt lighter.
Her sadness melted away, and she began to smile.
That was when she understood.
Her funny faces helped people notice the pain in their hearts and rediscover their gentle spirits.
Without blaming anyone, she reminded them of the kindness they already possessed.
And that kindness brought happiness to everyone around her.
Funny faces are a wonderful power that only human beings can share.
You, too, have the power to make the people you love feel happier.
And I believe that the magic of funny faces lives in your hearts as well.
Why not try it today?
Written on May 17, 2026. Created as the original story for the first TORYG-World