Invest Bravery
Lucy Ladybug was going out into the most beautiful majestic fall day in search of the perfect place to nap. And who do you think was following her? Yes, the teeny tiny ladybug that clung to her in the shelter. Lucy found out her name was Scarlet. It wasn’t easy finding anything out about her because she was so shy and timid. But Lucy was getting used to having her around and she would go a little slower in order for Scarlet to keep up.
Lucy found just the spot to nap, where some pumpkins had been absorbing the afternoon heat. It was no surprise that Lucy and Scarlet found pumpkins right next to each other and fell fast asleep. Lucy didn’t know how long she’d slept. But when she woke up, her pumpkin was in the shade. She stretched out her paper thin wings, yawned and said, “C’mon Scarlet, time to leave. It got cold fast, huh Scarlet?”
“Scarlet?”
Lucy, rubbed her eyes and opened them wide. The pumpkin that Scarlet was napping on was gone!
“Scarlet!”
“Scarlet, if you’re playing hide and seek, it’s NOT funny. Come out right now!”
Nothing. No Scarlet.
Lucy started wondering, “Could the pumpkin Scarlet was lying on have gotten picked up while they were napping and Scarlet was…”
“Oh nooooo!” Lucy flew off as fast as she could to the nearby houses looking into windows. She was about to give up when she flew up to a big bay window and there on the kitchen counter was a couple of pumpkins and lying next to the pumpkins was a big carving knife!
Then she spotted her. It was Scarlet making her way up the bay window from inside the house. They made eye-contact and were staring at each other for the longest time.
Lucy looked away and started mumbling to herself. ““Well, what can I do? It’s not my problem. I have to be getting home. Mom and Dad are going to worry.”
Lucy looked back to the window and Scarlet’s faced was pressed against the glass. Her little teeny eyes blinking away tears. Lucy, shrugged, threw up her hands and slowly backed away from the window and started to fly back in the direction of home.
Lucy felt like she was flying with a 10 pound weight strapped to her. There was a weight…but it was on her heart. Lucy’s heart was heavy because it was filled with great sadness. She hovered in midair and then she spun around like a superhero and went straight back to that house and set herself down by the back door.
I’m going in! She said determined.
I’m going in like a knight slays a dragon!
I’m going in like a soldier to do battle!
I’m going in like a fireman fights a fire!
I’m going in… because I am a friend!
Ask your child:
Why did Lucy go back to help Scarlet?
Who are some of the brave men and women who go in to help us in times of trouble?
"A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble." Proverbs 17:17 ERV
I am dedicating this to my nephew, Jared Tucker, who fights fires in CA
Ladybug drawing by Jacinda Lee / Click on the picture to hear the audio version!
