Beatrice the Shy Bat and the Big Bat Cave Challenge: A Story About Courage
Beatrice the bat was a creature of the night. Every evening, she’d peek out of her cozy cave home, her big, brown eyes blinking at the twinkling stars. But Beatrice had a secret – she was terrified of the dark! So much that she would miss out on all the adventures and couldn’t even fall asleep on her own. Her family, a colony of boisterous bats, loved exploring the vast network of tunnels that snaked beneath their cave. They’d return with tales of shimmering waterfalls, glittering crystals, and secret passages leading to hidden ponds. Beatrice, however, would cling to her mama’s fur, her heart
pounding at the thought of venturing into the unknown darkness.
One crisp autumn evening, an announcement echoed through the cave. It was the day of the annual ‘‘Big Bat Cave Challenge’’ – a race through the most challenging, darkest tunnels. The winner would be crowned ‘‘Bravest Bat’’ and receive a giant, juicy spider (a bat delicacy!) as a prize.
Beatrice’s heart sank. She longed to join her family, to experience the thrill of the race, but fear held her back. Her mama, sensing her worry, nudged her gently.
‘‘Beatrice,’’ she said softly, ‘‘courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s doing something even when you’re scared of it.’’
Beatrice’s ears drooped. Doing what was right meant joining the race, but facing the darkness felt impossible. Suddenly, her little brother, Bartholomew, fluttered over, his wings buzzing with excitement. ‘‘Come on, scaredy-bat!’’ he teased. ‘‘The race starts soon!’’
Beatrice wanted to snap back, but something stopped her. Bartholomew was the smallest bat in his class, yet he always faced his fears head-on. Maybe he wasn’t scared of the dark?
“Bartholomew,’’ she asked hesitantly, ‘‘are you not scared of the dark?’’
Bartholomew chuckled. ‘‘A little,’’ he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. ‘‘But I know the tunnels well. We can stick together, and I can show you cool things along the way!’’
Beatrice’s heart thumped a little slower. Maybe, just maybe, with Bartholomew by her side, she could face the darkness.
Taking a deep breath, she said, ‘‘Okay, Bartholomew. Let’s do this!’’
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Are there things that make you feel scared, like the dark, a big dog, or a loud noise? What is it that makes them scary? (This question helps
readers identify their own fears and opens the door for a conversation about overcoming them.)