The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX
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Cyril Wade Jr.<br />
Sharon Jones, Teacher<br />
Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary School,<br />
Roaring Creek Village, Belize<br />
I was in my yard one cool <strong>and</strong> beautiful Tuesday evening. My dad was working<br />
in the yard <strong>and</strong> decided to take down my mom’s fire hearth. That was what she<br />
cooked on when the gas was finished. He said that it gave <strong>of</strong>f too much smoke<br />
<strong>and</strong> was dangerous to our health.<br />
My dad asked me to help him <strong>and</strong> I said, “Yes.” Little did I know what work<br />
awaited me. He had me climb to the very top <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>. I was trembling <strong>and</strong><br />
feeling very scared because I am afraid <strong>of</strong> heights <strong>and</strong> didn’t think I had the<br />
courage to do such a task. I thought I was going to fall.<br />
Dad said, “I need you to take out the nails from the zinc.” That was the most<br />
difficult thing I ever had to do. I took one step toward the center <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />
My legs were trembling. Lord, please help me, I thought. Give me the courage<br />
I need to do this. I took another step, <strong>and</strong> with every step, I felt calmer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> was brown <strong>and</strong> rotten, <strong>and</strong> when I looked down the ground seemed<br />
to be a mile away. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I was thinking <strong>of</strong><br />
quitting, but I wanted my dad to be proud <strong>of</strong> me. So I began removing the<br />
nails. <strong>The</strong> first one flew in the air <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>ed at the edge <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>. My heart<br />
skipped a beat. I thought the ro<strong>of</strong> would cave in with me.<br />
Being up there was the worst feeling I ever had, but it was also the bravest<br />
thing I ever did. I felt proud <strong>of</strong> myself for doing the most difficult thing I had<br />
ever done <strong>and</strong> having the courage to complete it. That was an experience I<br />
will never forget.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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