The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

hall. I ran down to the gym and threw my stuff down. I heard kids laughing
and talking about me as we stretched. Tears built up until it was blurry. I
blinked and a heavy tear ran down my face. STOP IT! STOP CRYING! My
gym teacher came over and guided me out the door. I met the school
counselor in her office, and we talked until it was time to go home. I felt like
I could never show my face in school again.
But then I woke up on Monday and had to go to school.
I dressed nicely, and so did other students. Some wore suits, some wore dresses.
I was guided to the front row of the noise-filled auditorium, where I sat with my
speech folded in my hand. The school counselor and my mom had convinced
me to join the election again. I could feel my legs shaking as I walked on stage.
Is it too late to walk off the stage? I unfolded my paper, turned on the microphone,
took a breath, and then: “Hello, fifth grade…”
Weeks went by with no results. I was lying in my bed, surrounded by tissues,
home sick with strep throat. I had forgotten about the election until my phone
chimed. It was a text from my best friend.
“SUMMMMER! You won the election!” I was shocked! I jumped out of bed
to tell my dad and mom. I did it. I really did it!
I showed courage by standing up for myself, even though it was hard,
uncomfortable, and challenging. Even though what I did wasn’t something
extraordinary, like fighting in a war or saving someone’s life, I still showed
courage by never giving up on what I believed in. People tore my posters
down, and people made fun of me, but I still walked onto the stage and gave
the best speech I could. And that is what mattered.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
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