Thrown Away by My Own Mother

Mom said my brother, born in the city, was the smart one, and I, born in the countryside, was the fool.

In grade school I brought home an award certificate. My brother didn't.

Mom muttered to herself:

"That can't be right."

The next day at school, my workbooks were gone, and I had to stand in the corner all day.

When I got home, the only explanation was one line:

"Mom's been decluttering."

After that, I was always losing things.

Study notes, award certificates, my exam admission ticket.

Every time I asked her, she only said:

"I'm decluttering."