Zippy Zapata and the Mystery of Whispering Woods
by

Thomas

A story about Fear
for your 1st Grader.

Zippy Zapata was a young wizard who wore a bright blue cape. He loved to solve tricky puzzles, and he felt proud when he did.

Each day, Zippy explored the magical forest. The forest was filled with tall trees and dancing lights that sparkled at dusk, which means evening time.

One evening, Zippy wandered into the Whispering Woods. The leaves moved softly, and he heard them hum a mysterious riddle. Mysterious means strange and magical.

Zippy listened closely. “What if I cannot solve this riddle?” he whispered. He felt a little shaky inside his chest. He was afraid of what he did not know.

Suddenly, a friendly owl flew down from the treetops. “Hello, Zippy,” hooted the owl. “You seem scared. May I help you?” the owl asked softly.

Zippy told the owl about the riddle and how he feared the dark woods. “Sometimes I feel brave,” Zippy said, “but right now, I feel afraid.”

The owl nodded. “It is okay to be afraid,” said the owl. “We all feel fear sometimes. You do not have to stop being afraid right away.”

Just then, the wind blew harder, making the woods feel spooky. Zippy’s heart thumped. “I do not know if I can solve this,” he whispered.