Once upon a time, there was a little elephant named Ellie. Ellie was always anxious about everything. She worried about the tiniest things and felt nervous all the time. But, despite her anxieties, Ellie loved to play with her friends.

One day, Ellie's friends decided to play a game of hide and seek. Ellie was nervous about playing at first, but she agreed to join in because she adored her friends. She counted as her friends went to hide.

After counting, Ellie started to search for her friends. As she looked, she noticed a big elephant standing in the distance. Ellie felt weak and small compared to the elephant. But, she approached the elephant anyway, determined to find her friends.

The big elephant was strong, and Ellie felt even more anxious. But, she mustered up the courage to ask if the big elephant had seen her friends. The big elephant chuckled and said, "I'm your friend! I was just hiding." Ellie was so surprised, she couldn't believe it!

Ellie and the big elephant became fast friends. The big elephant taught Ellie that being patient and strong could help her overcome her anxieties. Ellie learned to love herself and her anxieties, even if they made her feel sad sometimes.

From that day on, Ellie was no longer anxious about playing hide and seek. She loved herself and her friends, and she no longer had any reason to dislike anything in her life. The end.

Reflections

1. How did Ellie feel at the beginning of the story?
2. Who taught Ellie to be patient and strong?
3. How did Ellie feel about herself at the end of the story?
4. What lesson did Ellie learn about herself and her anxieties?
5. How do you think you can overcome your own fears or anxieties?
6. Who is someone you admire for being strong and brave?
7. How does it feel to have friends who support you and help you overcome challenges?