Ben, Sam, Leo, and Max play on a soft rug. They are two. The room is warm. Toys are all near.
Max holds a red car. He drops it. The car rolls under the couch. Max looks sad. His lip trembles. He says, "I am sad." His voice is small.
Ben sits near. He says, "We help." Sam crawls fast. Leo looks with big eyes. They all look under the couch. The car is far back. Max cries a little.
Mum comes close. She smiles. She kneels down. She says, "Breathe in. Breathe out." Max breathes with her. His hands rest on his lap. He breathes slow. His face softens.
Sam reaches with a stick. He says, "I push." The car moves. Ben guides it with his hand. Leo claps soft. Max's eyes shine. The car comes out. Max hugs the car. He hugs Mum too.
Mum says, "It is okay to feel sad." She says, "We can say it. We can ask for help." The boys nod. They touch Max's back. They smile small.
They sit in a circle. They pass the red car. Each boy holds it for a bit. They say, "My turn." They count with Mum. The room has calm sounds. Soft song plays. Mum hums, "La la." The boys hum too.
Max feels warm and safe. He says, "Thank you." Ben says, "Good job." Sam says, "We help." Leo says, "We stay."
Night comes slow. The boys tuck the car in a box. They rest on the rug. Eyes close. Breath is soft. The room is quiet and kind.
Moral: It is good to say you are sad and to let friends and hugs help you feel better.
