Smart, Strong, and Brave!

Chapter 3: Being Brave

One Saturday, Annie went to the park with her best friend, Lily. The park was busy with kids playing and splashing water. The monkey bars were tall. Lily wore her red sneakers, and she loved the monkey bars. “Come on, Annie!” she called, swinging across. Annie stayed on the ground. The bars were high, and her hands felt sweaty. “I’ll watch,” she said, sitting on a bench. Lily laughed and kept swinging. Annie looked at the grass, wishing she could be like Lily. Grammy’s words came back: “You’re brave, Annie.” But she was afraid of falling.

Then, Lily cried out. She’d fallen from the monkey bars and was holding her arm. Tears ran down her face. “It hurts!” she said. Annie’s heart beat fast. Kids stood around, but nobody helped. Lily looked at Annie and said, “Help me.” Annie’s stomach felt tight. She wanted to find a grown-up, but they were too far away. Grammy’s words rang in her head: “You’re brave, Annie.” Her legs shook, but she took a deep breath. “I can do this,” she said.

She knelt by Lily and said, “Don’t worry, Lily. My mom’s a nurse. We’ll get you home.” Lily nodded, still crying. Annie helped her stand, careful not to touch her arm. It looked wrong and hurt. Annie’s heart was beating fast, but she stayed calm. “Hold my hand,” she said. The walk to Annie’s mom’s house took a long time. Annie held Lily’s good hand, leading her past the park’s trees and down the sidewalk. Lily cried quietly, and Annie said, “You’ll be okay.” She remembered Grammy’s FaceTime call: “You’re strong enough to help anyone, Sparky.” Annie kept going. “Stay with me, Lily,” she said. Lily nodded, squeezing her hand.

When they got to the house, Annie opened the door. “Mom!” she called, her voice loud. Annie’s mom was in the kitchen, cutting carrots. “Mom!” Annie called again. “Lily fell at the park, and her arm hurts!” Her mom put down the knife and came over. She looked at Lily’s arm and said, “That looks like a broken arm. Let’s help until your parents come.” She got an ice pack and wrapped it in a towel. “Hold this on your arm, Lily.” Then she made a sling with a scarf to keep Lily’s arm still. Lily stopped crying so much and looked at Annie. “Thanks, Annie,” she said.

Annie’s mom gave her the phone. “Call Lily’s parents, Annie. You know their number.” Annie’s hands shook as she dialed. She’d never called parents before and worried she’d say it wrong. But Grammy’s voice came back: “You’re smart, Sparky.” She spoke when Lily’s dad answered. “Hi, Mr. Carter? It’s Annie. Lily fell at the park and hurt her arm. My mom’s helping, but she needs you to come.” Her voice was shaky, but she said it right. Mr. Carter said, “We’re on our way.”

Annie sat with Lily on the couch. “You’re my best friend,” Lily said. “Thanks for helping me.” Annie smiled. She’d been scared, but she helped Lily and called her parents. Lily’s parents came fast. “Thank you, Annie,” Mrs. Carter said, hugging her. Annie’s mom said, “I’m proud of you, Annie. You got Lily home safe.” Lily’s parents took her to the doctor and said they’d call later.

That night, Annie’s iPad buzzed. Grammy’s face appeared. “Your mom told me about the park, Sparky,” she said. “You were so brave!” Annie smiled. “I was scared, Grammy. But I thought of you. I helped Lily.” Grammy nodded. “That’s what brave is, Sparky, helping when you’re scared. You’re smart, strong, and brave. Don’t forget it.”

The next day, Annie went to the park. She got on a swing and pushed off, going high. The wind felt nice in her hair. She’d helped her best friend. She wasn’t just Annie; she was Sparky, and she could do anything. At school on Monday, Annie raised her hand. “I know the answer!” she said loudly. The other kids looked, and her teacher said, “Go ahead, Annie.” She answered, and it felt easy.

That afternoon, Annie saw a younger kid at the park who was scared to go down the slide. She walked over. “I’ll go with you,” she said. The kid smiled, and they slid down together. Annie felt proud. The kid’s mom said, “Thank you, Annie!” Annie nodded and swung on the swings again, feeling happy.

That evening, Annie called Grammy on FaceTime. “Grammy, I answered a hard question today. I swung high at the park, and I helped a kid on the slide!” Grammy smiled. “That’s my Sparky! Smart, strong, and brave!” Annie’s smile grew. She wasn’t scared anymore. She could climb slides, help friends, and answer questions. She could do anything. Grammy was right. She was Sparky, and she could do whatever she tried.