Anna, Mia, and Lily are friends. They play together in the soft grass. The sun is warm. “Wheee!” says Anna, running fast. Mia claps her hands. Lily smiles and sits to watch.
Today, Lily feels something inside. Her tummy is twisty. Her cheeks are red. She wants to play but feels shy. Anna runs over, “Let's play, Lily!” she says. “Hop, hop, hop!” Anna jumps. Mia giggles, “Hop with us, Lily!” she says.
Lily looks down. “I feel quiet,” she says. “My heart goes bump-bump.” Anna sits close. Mia puts her hand on Lily's back. “It's okay,” Anna says. “Sometimes we feel shy. I feel shy too, sometimes.”
Lily nods. Mia says, “When I am shy, I take a big breath. Like this—fuuu!” She takes a slow breath. Anna does it too. “Fuuu!” goes Anna.
Lily tries. “Fuuu!” She feels the air tickle her lips. She smiles a little. “Can I watch you play?” she asks. “Yes!” say Anna and Mia. “Watch us hop! Boing, boing!”
Anna and Mia jump. Their feet go up and down. “Boing, boing!” Lily claps. She feels warm inside. Her heart is soft now, not bumping so fast.
Anna and Mia sit by Lily. Anna gives her a flower. “You are our friend,” Anna says. Lily holds the flower. She smells it. It is sweet.
“I feel better now,” Lily says. Her friends smile. “We like you just how you are,” says Mia.
Anna, Mia, and Lily hug. “Squish!” They laugh.
Sometimes, it is okay to feel shy—friends can help you feel brave.
