The Fence: A Puppy Kisses Story
The Beginning
Zach was known for being sporty, fast, and always up for a challenge. This was usually a good thing, but sometimes, it got him into tricky situations.
One afternoon, he was kicking a soccer ball around with a group of older pups. They weren’t his usual Puppy Pack friends, but he was flattered that they had invited him to play.
The Problem
One of the older pups, a tall pup named Dash, kicked the ball too hard. It sailed over the playground fence and landed in the thick bushes on the other side. That part of the school grounds was off-limits during recess.
“Oh no,” Zach said. “We’ll have to ask Mr. Flock to get it after school.”
The Build-Up
Dash scoffed. “Or… you could just go get it. The fence is easy to climb. You’re fast, right?” he said, looking at Zach. The other older pups chimed in.
“Yeah, don’t be a baby.”
“It’ll take you thirty seconds.”
Zach felt a knot of pressure in his stomach. He knew the rule: no one was allowed over that fence. It was a safety rule. But he wanted to impress Dash and his friends. He didn’t want them to think he was scared or a tattletale. His mind raced. On one hand, there was the rule and his own gut feeling that this was a bad idea. On the other hand, there was the desire to be seen as cool and brave by the older kids.
“Come on,” Dash urged. “We’re all waiting.”
The Big Moment (The Turning Point)
Zach took a step toward the fence. His heart was pounding. He could hear Mr. Flock’s voice in his head, talking about making good choices. He thought of his friends in the Puppy Pack and what they would do. He looked at the tall fence, and then back at the expectant faces of the older pups. He realized something important. Their idea of “cool” felt a lot like his idea of “trouble.”
He took a step back and shook his head.
“No,” he said, his voice firm. “It’s against the rules. I’ll go tell Mr. Flock we lost the ball.”
Winding Down
Dash rolled his eyes. “Fine. Whatever.” He and the other pups stalked off, muttering about him being no fun.
For a moment, Zach felt a pang of disappointment. They didn’t think he was cool. But as he walked toward Mr. Flock, that feeling was replaced by a stronger one: relief. He hadn’t broken a rule he believed in. He had listened to his own conscience. Mr. Flock wasn’t mad about the ball. He thanked Zach for being honest and responsible.
The End (The Lesson Learned)
Later, Zach told the Puppy Pack what had happened.
“That sounds like it was a tough choice,” Cora said.
“You definitely did the right thing,” Scarlett added.
Zach knew they were right. He learned that true courage isn’t always about taking a dare or being the fastest. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is have the strength to say “no” and walk away.
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