Chapter 1: At the Playground
“Mama, can we go to the playground?” asked Lily, holding Mama's hand.
“Yes, Lily. Let's go have some fun,” said Mama, smiling.
Lily and Mama walked to the playground. The sun was warm and the sky was blue. Other children were laughing and playing.
Lily saw the slide. She wanted to climb. She looked at the tall steps.
“Mama, the slide is very high,” said Lily. She held Mama's hand tight.
“Yes, it is high, Lily,” said Mama. “Would you like to try?”
Lily shook her head. “I think I might fall. I do not want to get a boo-boo.”
Mama knelt down and hugged Lily. “It's okay to feel scared, Lily. Slides can look tall. I will be right here with you.”
Lily looked at the slide again. She watched a little boy go up the steps. He smiled and slid down fast. He laughed.
“Is he scared, Mama?” asked Lily.
“Maybe he was scared the first time too,” said Mama. “But now he is having fun.”
Lily wanted to have fun too, but she felt her heart beat fast. She looked at her shoes. She wiggled her toes.
“Can I just watch for a little while, Mama?” asked Lily.
“Yes, you can watch as long as you like,” said Mama.
So Lily watched the other children climb and slide. She watched their happy faces. She listened to their giggles.
Chapter 2: Step by Step
After a while, Lily took a little step toward the slide. She looked at Mama.
“Mama, can you hold my hand if I try?” asked Lily.
“Of course, Lily. I will hold your hand and stay right here,” said Mama.
Lily put one foot on the first step. She felt Mama's warm hand. She took another step. And another.
“I am climbing, Mama!” said Lily.
“Yes, you are, Lily! You are doing so well,” said Mama.
Lily reached the top of the slide. She sat down. She looked a little scared again.
“Mama, will you catch me at the bottom?” Lily asked.
“I will be right here, Lily,” Mama said. “I will catch you.”
Lily took a deep breath. She slid down, down, down the slide. Mama was waiting with open arms.
“Whee!” said Lily as she reached the bottom. Mama hugged her tight.
“You did it, Lily!” said Mama. “How do you feel?”
Lily smiled. “It was fun! I was scared, but I did it. Can I do it again?”
“Of course, Lily. You can do it as many times as you want,” said Mama.
This time, Lily wanted to try climbing by herself. She put her foot on the step. She went up, up, up. At the top, she saw Mama waiting.
“I am brave, Mama!” Lily said.
“Yes, Lily. You are very brave,” said Mama.
Lily slid down again. And again. Each time, she felt less scared. Each time, she felt more happy.
Chapter 3: Little Brave Lily
After playing, Mama and Lily sat together on a bench.
“Mama, sometimes I feel scared,” said Lily.
“It's okay to feel scared, Lily,” said Mama. “Everyone feels scared sometimes. Even grown-ups.”
“Really?” asked Lily.
“Yes, really,” said Mama. “The important thing is to try. You tried, and you did it.”
Lily smiled and hugged Mama. “I was scared, but I tried. I can be brave.”
“Yes, you can be brave, Lily. You are brave every day,” said Mama.
Lily looked at her knees. “If I fall, will you help me?”
“Always,” said Mama. “I will always help you. And you can always get up and try again.”
Lily snuggled close to Mama. “Thank you, Mama.”
Mama kissed Lily's head. “You are my brave little girl.”
Lily smiled. She felt happy. She felt safe. She knew it was okay to feel scared. She knew she could try. And she knew Mama would always be there.
The sun was warm. Lily's heart was happy. And she was ready for more adventures, one little step at a time.
