The Unseen Pitch
by
Thomas
A story about Fear
for your 5th Grader.
In a lively city where baseball was more than just a game, lived a boy named Lee. He was a natural talent, and his love for the sport was known by all. One sunny afternoon, during a crucial game, Lee was at bat, ready to hit the winning run.
The pitcher threw the ball with all his might. Lee swung his bat, but instead of hitting the ball, the ball hit him. The crowd gasped as Lee fell to the ground, clutching his arm in pain.
After that day, Lee became terrified of the ball. He couldn't explain why, but the thought of stepping onto the field made his heart race. He felt embarrassed and alone, thinking no one would understand.
One day, Lee's coach, Mr. Johnson, noticed Lee's absence from the field. He approached Lee and asked, 'Why aren't you playing, Lee?' Lee hesitated, then confessed, 'I'm scared of the ball, coach.'
Mr. Johnson didn't laugh or ridicule Lee. Instead, he said, 'Fear is a natural emotion, Lee. It's okay to be afraid. What's important is that we don't let it control us.'
Lee felt a little better after talking to Mr. Johnson. But he still couldn't shake off his fear. He decided to talk to his parents about it. They listened and reassured him that it was okay to be afraid and that they were there to support him.
With the support of his coach and parents, Lee started to accept his fear. He realized that it was okay to be afraid and that he didn't have to overcome it right away.
Slowly, Lee started to return to the field. He didn't play at first, but he watched his friends play. He cheered for them from the sidelines, and he felt a part of the team again.