When the 8-year-old youngster finally took off his winter hat after 40 sweltering summer days, the nurse discovered something tragic.
Haha! The school playground was illuminated by the strong summer sun. Wearing casual T-shirts and shorts, kids played and laughed while taking in the pleasant air.
While performing her daily health checks within the school, Nurse Sofia was instantly drawn to one pupil.
He wore winter clothing from head to toe, including a large coat, thick leggings, and—most unexpectedly—a woolen winter hat pulled low over his forehead. The same one he’d been wearing all winter. The worn threads and pattern are identical.
Sofia arched a worried eyebrow.
As he walked into the room, she softly whispered, “Hey, sweetheart.” “Today is incredibly warm. Do you not want to remove your hat?
“No, I’m all right,” he said uneasily. “I must continue to wear it.”
He was not pressed by Sofia. A knot of anxiety grew in her chest as she carried on with the examination. The child was nervous and would flinch if the hat moved even a little. He looked to be concealing more than just his head under that hat, and something didn’t feel quite right.
And when the nurse eventually succeeded in taking it off… She was greatly surprised by what she saw 
.
Sofia had a conversation with the boy’s homeroom teacher around lunch later that day.
The teacher said, “I’ve been worried too.” Soon after spring break, he began donning that hat. Never before that. When the coach asked him to take it off during exercise class, he lost it. We have simply left it alone ever since.
Sofia nodded, but her uneasiness persisted. She gave the number in the boy’s school file a call that night.
“Hello, the school nurse here. I’m phoning with reference to your son.
Suddenly, a man interrupted, “He’s not sick.” “As a family, we don’t seek medical attention for nothing.”
Even in this heat, I saw that he was still wearing a hefty hat. I pondered whether a medical ailment might be present. Is there something wrong with his scalp?
A protracted, awkward stillness fell. Next:
It’s a personal family issue. Don’t meddle, please. He has no choice but to wear the headgear.
Additionally, I saw what appeared to be a stain on the hat. Did something go wrong?
Only a scrape. We’re taking care of it. Stay out of it. Don’t call again, please.
A week went by.
Then, with fear in her eyes, the instructor hurried inside the nurse’s office.
“He’s hurting,” she muttered. He is barely standing and holding his head. There is a severe problem.
Sofia rushed over to him. He was rocking gently while curled up on a couch with his arms about his head.
She was kneeling next to him.
“My dear… I must perceive the problem. I’m going to shut the door. I swear no one will find out.
At first, the youngster remained silent. He shook his shoulders. Then he whispered, barely audible:
“Dad forbade filming.” He will become irate. My brother warned me that I would be taken away if anyone found out. It will be my fault.
Sofia gripped his hands softly and swallowed deeply.
“No, sweetheart. You are not to blame for any of this. Please allow me to assist you.
He nodded slightly and closed his eyes.
She grabbed the hat and put on gloves.
The boy let out a cry as soon as she touched it.
— “It is trapped! It aches.
She used soft cloths, bandages, and antibiotic to thoroughly clean and loosen it. His scalp appeared to be glued to the fabric.
They both froze when the hat was eventually taken off.
No hair was present.
Just skin—painful, raw, and wounded.
Some of the deep, round markings were healing, while others were new. There were obvious indications of infection and damage to the skin.
Sofia covered her lips and gasped, “Oh my God.”
The boy closed his eyes and sat peacefully.
He said, “Daddy said I was bad.” In order to keep people from seeing, my brother gave me the hat. It will go away, he replied.
When the police showed up that night, they arrested the father. Additional information surfaced as the investigation progressed, including the boy’s mother’s quiet anguish.
She had spent years living in fear as well. She was hushed and coerced into not speaking up. Now that the abuser was gone, however, things were different.
At last, she summoned the bravery to speak up, not just for her sons but also for herself. She was able to breathe freely for the first time in years.
After the boy got the medical attention he required, his mother started to reestablish their life in a secure, cozy, and tranquil environment.
Now that they are fearless, they are slowly, carefully, and cooperatively learning to life once more. The future now appears bright, despite the scars left by the past.
