Remi Shos
05-01-2010, 05:17 PM
This is a work in progress. Any thoughts are appreciated!
Because I Love Myself...
And That’s All That Matters
By: Remi Shos
Brianna sat quietly in the back of the small classroom. She was hoping that the teacher would not call on her to read the next page of the book. It was only a few paragraphs, but Brianna could not read well, and many of the other children would laugh at her mistakes. So, she sat very still with her head slightly down hoping that Mrs. Miller wouldn’t see her behind Jerry, the shortest boy in the class.
“Brianna,” came the unwanted call. “Brianna, why don’t you read next?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Brianna replied.
Sheepishly, Brianna looked around the classroom. It seemed as though every eye was intensely focused on her. She wiped her hands on her shirt as her palms began to sweat. Slowly, she stood up to read. Her breathing was quick and shallow.
“Mrs. Miller?” she blurted out, raising her trembling hand.
“Yes?”
“May I be excused to use the restroom?”
“Right now?” Mrs. Miller challenged. “We only have two pages to finish. Can you wait ten more minutes?”
“No,” said Brianna, knowing that it was a falsehood. “I really have to go.”
“Alright. Go ahead. Bobby, can you read the next page, please?” her teacher replied.
Brianna quickly walked toward the classroom door leading to the hallway. She glanced over her shoulder as the door shut behind her. Bobby was reading very nicely. Why can’t I? she thought. With that, she headed toward the restroom and stayed there until the lunch bell rang.
“Hey Brianna,” sneered Darcy, one of the meanest kids in her class. “What’s this say?” She was holding up a piece of paper that read: I’M TEN AND I STILL CAN’T READ! HA! HA!
Brianna could only run to the cafeteria and hide at a corner lunch table. No one sat with her today, but that wasn’t different from any other day. She felt like bursting into tears. Why am I having such a bad day? she thought.
After school, Brianna began walking home feeling very sad and alone. No one could possibly understand how frustrating it was not to be able to read. I’ll never be like the other kids, she thought.
She paused for a moment on the way home. The path she followed was beautiful. The sun was shining on the dewy autumn leaves. It filled the trees with sparkle and glitter. She saw birds flying about and thought the air was fresh and crisp. If only I could stay here and never go to school again, she pondered. She dreamed it would be such a wonderful life. No cares, no worries.
As she continued to walk along the small, dirt path, she noticed something lying next to a blue ash tree. Cautiously, she moved towards it as her breathing became more and more a nervous pant. What is that? she wondered. As she got closer, she noticed it moving, but just slightly. It was brownish-gray and looked kind of fuzzy. Brianna gasped. It was a squirrel, and it was hurt!
“Oh my goodness! Are you alright?”
“Oh,” the squirrel moaned. “Ouch.”
“What happened? Can I help you?” Brianna asked.
The small squirrel lifted her tiny head and blinked several times. “How long have I been lying here?”
“I don’t know,” Brianna said. “But you look like you’ve got a small knot on your head from the fall.”
“Those bullies!” the squirrel shouted. “I didn’t fall. They pushed me out of the tree on purpose!” She slowly laid her head on the ground, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’ll never be fast enough to keep up with them.” She sniffled as she came to her feet.
“You know what?” Brianna whispered, “I know how you feel. The kids at school laugh at me because I can’t read very well.”
“They laugh at you too?” the squirrel asked, starting to perk up.
“Yeah, they do,” she admitted. “By the way, my name is Brianna.”
“Pleased to meet you,” replied the squirrel, smiling from ear-to-ear. “I’m Chesna.”
“From that day forward, Brianna and Chesna were practically inseparable—the best of friends. They went everywhere together...to the park, to the movies, and even to the mall! But, still, Brianna had to go to school alone, feeling ashamed.
One day, while Brianna and Chesna were sitting under a shade tree, Chesna proudly announced, “We will no longer give in to our fears!”
Brianna’s eyes opened wide in surprise. She was somewhat startled. “What are you yelling about, Silly?”
“I’m talking about us. We’re always moping around because all the other kids push us and tease us and laugh in our faces. Well, no more! As of right now, we’re on a mission!” Chesna belted out at the top of her lungs with her head held high. “We are going to conquer and accomplish!”
“Chesna, what has gotten into you today?” Brianna laughed.
“Ok, so I got that from a book, but I think it’s really good advice,” Chesna confessed. “Don’t you?”
“I guess so, but how are we going to do all that?” Brianna asked.
“Well, my mother said that I should love myself, and that’s all that matters. She said I should use that as my motivation to succeed and that practice, practice, practice is the key to success,” she proclaimed. “So, we have to love ourselves, believe in ourselves and practice. Then, you can learn how to read well and I can learn how to improve my speed.”
Brianna stopped for a moment and thought that Chesna’s mom had a great idea. Practice makes perfect. Yeah! Brianna thought. I can do that!
The next morning, the training began. Brianna and Chesna went to the library to do some research on reading and running for speed. Then, they made their way to the running track. While Chesna ran, Brianna sat on the bleachers with the book that she was to have completely read by the end of the school year. Brianna was determined to know every single word.
Quickly opening the book, she began. It was going very slowly at first. Words seemed to run together and fall apart all at once, but Brianna took her time. Pretty soon, she was reading five and six words without stopping. I really can do this! Brianna thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Chesna was huffing and puffing around the track, trying to beat the clock. She also began slowly, taking her time until she was comfortable at that speed. Next, she tried to go a little bit faster and faster. Soon, she felt as though she were one with the wind!
Days went by, then weeks, and months. Brianna and Chesna were getting stronger and faster. They were amazing themselves and their families.
As the summer festival approached, Chesna was getting excited about the annual sprint. She had always finished last, but this year she was determined to be in the top three. She practiced running and sprinting around that track until she could almost do it with her eyes closed.
The time for the race came. I wish Brianna was here to see me race, thought Chesna.
“Runners, take your marks!” came the voice over the loud speakers.
Chesna got into position and took a deep breath.
“On your mark, get set...GO!!!”
Chesna took off as if she had fire under her feet. She was flying to the finish line. One by one, she passed the other runners until she was all alone. Just a few more steps and she’d finish this race on top!
Yes! She did it. She burst through the red ribbon almost unable to stop herself. Chesna’s heart felt as though it could beat right out of her chest. She stood silently in amazement. I did it! she screamed inside her head. I did it! Her family rushed toward her in joy as she was presented with the blue ribbon for first prize. And even then, her thoughts were with Brianna and how she was faring in class.
With the help of her parents and Chesna, Brianna began to overcome her fear of failure. She had learned to love herself for who she is—not simply because she’d learned to read. She believed in herself, in the strength of her character, and she soon found out that she loved to read! Brianna was receiving higher marks in school, and her teacher had noticed the change in her participation.
“Brianna,” Mrs. Miller called one day after class had finished. “Can I see you for a moment?”
“Yes, Mrs. Miller?”
“I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of your grades and your participation in class. You’ve improved significantly, and I was just wondering how you’ve managed to raise your scores so quickly this school year.”
“My best friend told me that if I want to succeed, I have to love myself, and that’s all that matters. Then she told me I’d better practice just in case,” Brianna replied, half-smiling and half-laughing.
Mrs. Miller returned the smile and gave Brianna her report card and a pat on the back. There was a gold star beside the READING category. It was a moment she knew she’d never forget.
Brianna rushed to the blue ash tree after school let out. “Chesna! Chesna! Where are you?” she shouted.
“Brianna! Did you get your report card? Well, what does it say?” Chesna asked excitedly.
“Oh, Chesna!” Brianna said, nearly out of breath. “I want to hear about the race! How did you do?”
Chesna quickly skittered up the tree and pulled out her prize blue ribbon.
“Chesna! You won!” Brianna cried joyfully. “And guess what? I got a gold star in Reading!”
They were both happily overwhelmed as they hugged and laughed and remembered the day.
THE END
Because I Love Myself...
And That’s All That Matters
By: Remi Shos
Brianna sat quietly in the back of the small classroom. She was hoping that the teacher would not call on her to read the next page of the book. It was only a few paragraphs, but Brianna could not read well, and many of the other children would laugh at her mistakes. So, she sat very still with her head slightly down hoping that Mrs. Miller wouldn’t see her behind Jerry, the shortest boy in the class.
“Brianna,” came the unwanted call. “Brianna, why don’t you read next?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Brianna replied.
Sheepishly, Brianna looked around the classroom. It seemed as though every eye was intensely focused on her. She wiped her hands on her shirt as her palms began to sweat. Slowly, she stood up to read. Her breathing was quick and shallow.
“Mrs. Miller?” she blurted out, raising her trembling hand.
“Yes?”
“May I be excused to use the restroom?”
“Right now?” Mrs. Miller challenged. “We only have two pages to finish. Can you wait ten more minutes?”
“No,” said Brianna, knowing that it was a falsehood. “I really have to go.”
“Alright. Go ahead. Bobby, can you read the next page, please?” her teacher replied.
Brianna quickly walked toward the classroom door leading to the hallway. She glanced over her shoulder as the door shut behind her. Bobby was reading very nicely. Why can’t I? she thought. With that, she headed toward the restroom and stayed there until the lunch bell rang.
“Hey Brianna,” sneered Darcy, one of the meanest kids in her class. “What’s this say?” She was holding up a piece of paper that read: I’M TEN AND I STILL CAN’T READ! HA! HA!
Brianna could only run to the cafeteria and hide at a corner lunch table. No one sat with her today, but that wasn’t different from any other day. She felt like bursting into tears. Why am I having such a bad day? she thought.
After school, Brianna began walking home feeling very sad and alone. No one could possibly understand how frustrating it was not to be able to read. I’ll never be like the other kids, she thought.
She paused for a moment on the way home. The path she followed was beautiful. The sun was shining on the dewy autumn leaves. It filled the trees with sparkle and glitter. She saw birds flying about and thought the air was fresh and crisp. If only I could stay here and never go to school again, she pondered. She dreamed it would be such a wonderful life. No cares, no worries.
As she continued to walk along the small, dirt path, she noticed something lying next to a blue ash tree. Cautiously, she moved towards it as her breathing became more and more a nervous pant. What is that? she wondered. As she got closer, she noticed it moving, but just slightly. It was brownish-gray and looked kind of fuzzy. Brianna gasped. It was a squirrel, and it was hurt!
“Oh my goodness! Are you alright?”
“Oh,” the squirrel moaned. “Ouch.”
“What happened? Can I help you?” Brianna asked.
The small squirrel lifted her tiny head and blinked several times. “How long have I been lying here?”
“I don’t know,” Brianna said. “But you look like you’ve got a small knot on your head from the fall.”
“Those bullies!” the squirrel shouted. “I didn’t fall. They pushed me out of the tree on purpose!” She slowly laid her head on the ground, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’ll never be fast enough to keep up with them.” She sniffled as she came to her feet.
“You know what?” Brianna whispered, “I know how you feel. The kids at school laugh at me because I can’t read very well.”
“They laugh at you too?” the squirrel asked, starting to perk up.
“Yeah, they do,” she admitted. “By the way, my name is Brianna.”
“Pleased to meet you,” replied the squirrel, smiling from ear-to-ear. “I’m Chesna.”
“From that day forward, Brianna and Chesna were practically inseparable—the best of friends. They went everywhere together...to the park, to the movies, and even to the mall! But, still, Brianna had to go to school alone, feeling ashamed.
One day, while Brianna and Chesna were sitting under a shade tree, Chesna proudly announced, “We will no longer give in to our fears!”
Brianna’s eyes opened wide in surprise. She was somewhat startled. “What are you yelling about, Silly?”
“I’m talking about us. We’re always moping around because all the other kids push us and tease us and laugh in our faces. Well, no more! As of right now, we’re on a mission!” Chesna belted out at the top of her lungs with her head held high. “We are going to conquer and accomplish!”
“Chesna, what has gotten into you today?” Brianna laughed.
“Ok, so I got that from a book, but I think it’s really good advice,” Chesna confessed. “Don’t you?”
“I guess so, but how are we going to do all that?” Brianna asked.
“Well, my mother said that I should love myself, and that’s all that matters. She said I should use that as my motivation to succeed and that practice, practice, practice is the key to success,” she proclaimed. “So, we have to love ourselves, believe in ourselves and practice. Then, you can learn how to read well and I can learn how to improve my speed.”
Brianna stopped for a moment and thought that Chesna’s mom had a great idea. Practice makes perfect. Yeah! Brianna thought. I can do that!
The next morning, the training began. Brianna and Chesna went to the library to do some research on reading and running for speed. Then, they made their way to the running track. While Chesna ran, Brianna sat on the bleachers with the book that she was to have completely read by the end of the school year. Brianna was determined to know every single word.
Quickly opening the book, she began. It was going very slowly at first. Words seemed to run together and fall apart all at once, but Brianna took her time. Pretty soon, she was reading five and six words without stopping. I really can do this! Brianna thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Chesna was huffing and puffing around the track, trying to beat the clock. She also began slowly, taking her time until she was comfortable at that speed. Next, she tried to go a little bit faster and faster. Soon, she felt as though she were one with the wind!
Days went by, then weeks, and months. Brianna and Chesna were getting stronger and faster. They were amazing themselves and their families.
As the summer festival approached, Chesna was getting excited about the annual sprint. She had always finished last, but this year she was determined to be in the top three. She practiced running and sprinting around that track until she could almost do it with her eyes closed.
The time for the race came. I wish Brianna was here to see me race, thought Chesna.
“Runners, take your marks!” came the voice over the loud speakers.
Chesna got into position and took a deep breath.
“On your mark, get set...GO!!!”
Chesna took off as if she had fire under her feet. She was flying to the finish line. One by one, she passed the other runners until she was all alone. Just a few more steps and she’d finish this race on top!
Yes! She did it. She burst through the red ribbon almost unable to stop herself. Chesna’s heart felt as though it could beat right out of her chest. She stood silently in amazement. I did it! she screamed inside her head. I did it! Her family rushed toward her in joy as she was presented with the blue ribbon for first prize. And even then, her thoughts were with Brianna and how she was faring in class.
With the help of her parents and Chesna, Brianna began to overcome her fear of failure. She had learned to love herself for who she is—not simply because she’d learned to read. She believed in herself, in the strength of her character, and she soon found out that she loved to read! Brianna was receiving higher marks in school, and her teacher had noticed the change in her participation.
“Brianna,” Mrs. Miller called one day after class had finished. “Can I see you for a moment?”
“Yes, Mrs. Miller?”
“I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of your grades and your participation in class. You’ve improved significantly, and I was just wondering how you’ve managed to raise your scores so quickly this school year.”
“My best friend told me that if I want to succeed, I have to love myself, and that’s all that matters. Then she told me I’d better practice just in case,” Brianna replied, half-smiling and half-laughing.
Mrs. Miller returned the smile and gave Brianna her report card and a pat on the back. There was a gold star beside the READING category. It was a moment she knew she’d never forget.
Brianna rushed to the blue ash tree after school let out. “Chesna! Chesna! Where are you?” she shouted.
“Brianna! Did you get your report card? Well, what does it say?” Chesna asked excitedly.
“Oh, Chesna!” Brianna said, nearly out of breath. “I want to hear about the race! How did you do?”
Chesna quickly skittered up the tree and pulled out her prize blue ribbon.
“Chesna! You won!” Brianna cried joyfully. “And guess what? I got a gold star in Reading!”
They were both happily overwhelmed as they hugged and laughed and remembered the day.
THE END