'Being Scared'

I couldn't stop yelling. I yelled and yelled until finally I woke myself up. I was crying. It was terrible -- a very frightening dream.

Then, all at once, I heard the heavy step of my grandfather.

"Little one, little Jenny, what is the matter?"

"Oh, Grandpa. It was terrible. I thought it was real!"

"It was only a dream. You were having a nightmare, little one."

I crawled into his arms -- the strongest and gentlest arms in the world. His soft, white beard brushed against my cheek. He had been out earlier that day chopping wood for our fireplace, and the smell of the pine trees where we lived still lingered around him. It was a warm, wonderful grandpa smell and I was safe again. Safe.

"Grandpa, play the music box."

"Little one, we must have played that song a hundred times!" He laughed his big, warm laugh.

I smiled up at him through my tears.

"Please."

"All right."

Grandpa picked up the red-enamel music box and turned the key around and around. In moments, the tinkling of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" spilled into the darkened room. Softly, in his deep voice, Grandpa sang the song, and I joined in. I felt safe and warm again.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"Would you like to tell me about the dream?"

"No, I want to forget I ever had it at all."

"You know, little one, if you tell what has frightened you, it will help the fear go away."

I looked down. I didn't want to tell the dream. It scared me. I really didn't want to tell. But then part of me did! What should I do?

*

Tuesday: Will Jenny tell Grandpa about her dream?