A five minute story of courage for beginning readers.
Marina was a girl of big feelings. Some days, her heart would bubble over with joy, and she’d spin and laugh until she was dizzy. On other days, a fiery anger would flare within her, making her want to shout and stomp. Sometimes, sadness would wrap around her like a heavy blanket, making everything seem dull and slow.
Marina’s family loved her, but they didn’t always understand her wild heart. “Just calm down,” they’d say when she was upset, which only seemed to make things worse. Sometimes, Marina felt like a volcano about to erupt!
One night, as Marina looked out her bedroom window, a swirl of feelings tingled inside her like the twinkling stars she saw in the sky. Thatโs when something magical happened! A paw print, dusted with shimmering silver, appeared on the windowsill. Next to it was a tiny folded note that said, “Meet by the trampoline. โ A friend.”
Marina’s heart pounded with excitement. Could this be real? A mysterious message, a paw print โฆ it had to be a sign! She tiptoed out of her house and into the backyard. The night air felt cool against her skin, bringing a flicker of calm.
A wise wolf bounced in the shadows. โHello, Marina,” his gentle voice floated up and down. “I’ve been watching you with your wild, wonderful heart.”

He told Marina of a hidden land called Wildwood, where creatures called the Wild Ones lived joyful, untamed lives. Their hearts were just as big and as wild as Marina’s! But lately, many of the Wild Ones had been feeling overwhelmed by their own strong emotions. He knew Marina and the Wild Ones could help each other.
Before she could ask questions, swirling leaves danced around her, and when they settled…everything had changed!
She opened her eyes to a world of vibrant colors and strange sounds. Creatures with feathers, fur, and scales peered at her curiously. She had arrived in Wildwood!

The Wild Ones greeted Marina with joyful whoops and playful nudges. They saw her as a kindred spirit. Though a little nervous, Marina couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement. A furry creature with big, worried eyes named Nyx spoke up. “The storms insideโฆsometimes they get too strong,” Nyx confessed.
Others nodded, describing how their own storms could turn the forest gloomy, making them forget how to be their usual joyful selves. Marina understood exactly how they felt. Her storms could sometimes feel just as scary.
The Wild Ones led Marina through Wildwood, showing her the hidden places where they sought calm. At a gently flowing waterfall, they practiced breathing deeply, imagining worries floating away with the water.
Then, on a mossy hilltop, they took turns gazing into a polished stone that reflected their faces. Marina looked into the stone and saw her own face scrunched up. “Is this what frustration looks like?” she wondered aloud. The stone helped them name their feelings โ was that prickly feeling anger, or maybe something else?
Lastly, in a cozy burrow, Marina received a single, sleek black feather. Its smooth surface felt soothing against her palm as the wise wolf spoke,โ Little one, when your storm feels too big, hold this feather close. Remember the strength within you, and speak gentle, kind words to yourself.
Marina’s Wildwood journey brought newfound strength. She wouldn’t erase her big feelings โ they were her superpower! Instead, she’d learned to ride the waves: deep breaths to find her center, the courage to name her emotions, and gentle words for her own brave heart
Before departing, Marina embraced her Woodland companions in a tender farewell. She felt lighter and stronger. Her Wildwood friends, with their unique wildness, had changed her forever. Together, they’d learned to face the storms within.
Marina closed her eyes, taking one last deep breath of the Wildwood air. When she blinked back to her own room, a single sleek black feather rested on her bed, a reminder of the Wild Ones and their wild, wondrous ways. Together, they’d kindled a flame of self-acceptance, and now Marina carried that light within. She wasn’t alone!

With a grateful heart, Marina fell asleep, and the warmth of the wise wolfโs smile comforted her. Marina was learning. She was learning that inside every wild heart, there is also a wild kind of courage.
The End
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