Malik woke up with butterflies in his tummy — today was his first day of elementary school.
His red backpack felt small and brave on his shoulders as he walked to the big yellow school bus.
At the school gate the noise felt like a thousand tiny drums, and Malik's hands grew sticky with nerves.
He held his sketchbook tight — drawing helped him breathe.
Ms. Rivera smiled and said, 'Welcome,' and Malik tried to answer, but his voice wobbled.
Seats were full and groups were laughing; Malik couldn't find where he belonged.
A girl named Zoe sat alone with a scribbled comic; her eyes met Malik's.
They traded quiet smiles, like two secret captains steering the same small ship.
Recess felt tricky — the games were fast and the rules were loud.
Malik tried to join a game, but he tripped and his shoes slid in mud — a little slip and a lot of red cheeks.
A few kids giggled, and Malik wanted to disappear.
Zoe offered him her sketchbook and a pencil, whispering, 'Draw with me?'.
As they drew, they built a tiny world of paper friends: a brave fox, a wink-star, and a small paper house.
At show-and-tell, Malik planned to show his comic, but when it was his turn his throat went dry.
The class projector blinked off — papers were needed, and the teacher looked worried for a moment.
Malik thought his comic was ruined; he imagined everyone turning away.
Zoe squeezed his hand and said, 'Let them see the pictures; we'll tell it together.'
They stood together; Malik pointed to a drawing, and his voice came back in small, brave bits.
As he described the fox's first leap, classmates began to add their own sounds and ideas.
The room turned into a giggling chorus and the comic grew bigger than Malik had drawn alone.
Then Ms. Rivera smiled and opened a small box — there was a folded drawing from her first day that looked just like Malik's fox; she had been shy once, too.
Everyone laughed softly, remembering their own small brave moments.
By the end of the week, Malik raised his hand more, spoke in small, steady sentences, and drew during quiet time.
He and Zoe became a pair — they shaped games from comics and coaxed other quiet kids to join.
Malik learned that school could be hard and noisy, but it could also be made kinder by little brave choices.
On Friday, Malik pinned his fox drawing on the class wall and felt proud — he had found his place.
An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded.
Reload🗙
