Lina and The Seed of Courage

One sunny day, Lina was helping her father, a kind gardener, plant seeds in their garden. She asked, 'Papa, why don’t we plant anything near the dark forest?' Her father smiled and said, 'The forest may seem scary, Lina, but fear is like darkness—it feels big, but it shrinks when you face it.' Lina frowned and asked, 'But what if it doesn’t? What if something bad happens?' Her father held up a small seed and said, 'Do you know what this is?'

'A seed,' Lina replied. 'Yes,' her father said. 'It’s tiny, but with care, it grows into a strong tree. Courage is like this seed. It starts small but grows every time you face your fears.' Lina listened carefully, thinking about what her father said.

That evening, Lina thought about her father’s words. She wondered if she could be brave like the seed. The idea of the dark forest made her heart race. But she felt curious about what was inside. She decided to take her lucky stone with her for courage.

The next morning, Lina stood at the edge of the forest, holding her lucky stone. Her heart raced as she stepped inside. The tall trees cast long shadows, and strange sounds filled the air. But Lina remembered, 'One step at a time.' She took a deep breath and walked further.

As she walked, Lina noticed wildflowers and sunlight peeking through the trees. The forest wasn’t as scary as she thought. She saw birds singing and squirrels playing. Lina felt a sense of wonder and excitement. She realized there was beauty in the unknown.

Lina heard a rustling sound and froze for a moment. She remembered her father's words about courage. Holding her lucky stone, she took a step towards the sound. It was just a curious rabbit hopping by. Lina laughed, feeling braver than before.

Lina continued her adventure, discovering a small pond hidden among the trees. She sat by the water, feeling proud of herself. The forest had become a place of magic and wonder. Lina knew she would return again, with even more courage. She smiled, grateful for her father's wisdom.

When Lina returned home, she excitedly told her father about her adventure. Her father listened with a proud smile. 'You see, Lina, courage grows just like that seed,' he said. Lina nodded, feeling the seed of courage growing inside her. She knew she could face any fear, one step at a time.