Ever since Belinda was a baby, she was always on the go. The moment she learned how to walk, Belinda was all over the place. But the moment she learned how to run… it was GAME OVER!
She was the fastest kid at her school and in just two weeks, she would be competing at the annual track and field competition for all the schools in the city.
Every day at recess, Ms. Fachawski, the gym teacher, would do training sessions with kids. Belinda and her friends loved this. They loved to challenge themselves, compete, and have fun. Plus, there was a pizza party at the end of the year for all of the kids who attended.
Today, the students were doing a timed obstacle course, here’s what they had to do.
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Run three laps around the gym, touching each corner.
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Do 20 jumping jacks, followed by 10 push ups, and 15 sit ups.
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Shoot a basketball from the freethrow line, until it goes in, swish.
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After making the money shot, they were to get down on all fours, backwards, and crabwalk all the way to the ropes.
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The very last part of the obstacle course was climbing to the top of the ropes and grabbing a red flag
“Peace of cake”, thought Belinda to herself, walking over to the start line with confidence. She was ready to face this challenge head on. Running, jumping jacks, and even the crab walk - EASY PEASY, LEMON SQUEEZY.
On your marks, get set, GOOOOOOO!!
Belinda jogged 3 laps around the gym, she knew she’d have to save her energy for the ropes. Going toe to toe with her friend Grayson through the jumping jacks, the push ups, and the sit ups, they approached the freethrow line at the same time. Each picked up their basketball and shot for the hoop, lucky for Belinda, free throws were her specialty. After just 2 tries, swish! She got it!
Even though Belinda wanted to save her energy for the ropes, she was determined to be first at the finish line. She sprinted to the ropes. Using all of her strength, she pulled herself up, almost making it to the top, her arms wobbly, shaking and tired, she needed ONE. MORE. PULL.
And that’s when it happened: she launched a 7 second air biscuit that broke the silence in the gym.
All of the kids burst into laughter, she turned around and saw her classmates and friends pointing and giggling. At that very moment, it felt like the world stopped spinning, she struggled to gulp, then let go of the rope with her left hand. BOOM! Belinda fell to the mats. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt, but she felt defeated and embarrassed. She watched Grayson grab the red flag and beat her to the finish line.
Belinda stood on her two feet, made eye contact with the other kids who were still laughing, and decided at that moment she could continue to feel embarrassed and start crying OR she could join in and learn how to laugh at herself. It was okay to feel embarrassed at first, but guess what? Everybody launches air biscuits!
TALKBACK QUESTIONS:
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When was the last time you were embarrassed?
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What does being embarrassed feel like to you?
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What would you do if you were Belinda and everyone heard you fart?
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Why do you think Belinda wanted to finish the obstacle course before everyone else, even though it wasn’t a race?