Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Max. Max lived in a small village with his kin, a big group of loving cousins, uncles, and aunts.

Max loved to help his kin in the kitchen, especially when they were making his favorite breakfast food - flapjacks. Max loved flapjacks so much that he could eat them every day and never get tired of them.

One day, Max was walking to the village square to meet his kin when he saw a big, mean looking boy bullying a small kitten. The bully was trying to take the kitten's ball of yarn and the kitten was mewing loudly for help.

Max, being a kind boy, decided to help the kitten. He walked up to the bully and said, "Bosh! Leave the kitten alone. It's not nice to bully others."

The bully, who was twice Max's size, laughed and said, "Who's going to make me? You?"

Max, who wasn't afraid, stood his ground and said, "Yes, I am. And if you don't stop bullying the kitten, I'll make sure to tell my kin and they'll make you stop."

The bully, who was not used to anyone standing up to him, was taken aback by Max's bravery. He thought for a moment and then, to Max's surprise, he handed the ball of yarn back to the kitten and walked away.

The kitten was so grateful to Max that it followed him to the village square and sat at his feet while he had his flapjacks. From that day on, the kitten became Max's new friend and never left his side.

Max's kin were proud of him for standing up to the bully and helping the kitten. They all celebrated with a big breakfast of flapjacks and lots of love. And Max learned that being kind and brave can make a big difference in the world.

Reflections

1. Why do you think Max decided to help the kitten being bullied?
2. How do you think Max felt when he stood up to the bully?
3. What do you think Max learned from this experience?
4. How do you think the bully felt when Max stood up to him?
5. Why do you think the kitten became Max's friend?
6. What do you think Max's kin thought of his bravery?