One day a boy was playing in the park
He was engaged in a sliding board making every trip down
His mom kept calling to him in all fun
His name was Shawn
Each day after school Shawn’s mother would take him to the park to play
This one day Shawn met Riley
Riley was new to town and he was very shy
He asked Riley to swing with him
But Riley had no reply
So Shawn just went to swing by himself
Shawn was disappointed
He wanted to have someone play with him
Later he asked Riley to climb the climber with him
But yet again Riley denied
Eventually it was time for Shawn to return home for supper so Shawn ran over to Riley and said I come everyday to play so maybe next time it was nice meeting you even if you didn’t play I need to leave now goodbye
As Shawn began to leave Riley yelled goodbye
Shawn turned and smiled knowing that even though he hadn’t gotten to play he brightened someone’s day
After returning home Shawn’s mom prepared dinner as Shawn talked about his day
So Shawn told his mom all about Riley and that he was new but he was shy
Afterwards the family ate supper and sent Shawn to do his homework
While Shawn was engaging in his homework he began to think about Riley and the park
As he finished his work he said a prayer for Riley
“Lord, you know Riley best please if I see him again help me know what to say to him to help him open up thank you lord”
Then he went to bed
His parents came in to tuck Shawn in and say goodnight
When they did Shawn asked his dad how he could get Riley to play with him
Riley’s father said in time if he plays it will be when the time is right he is new to the area son then he kissed his son goodnight
And Shawn went to sleep
Early the next morning Shawn jumped out of bed and threw on his clothes
He then ran downstairs to eat breakfast so that he could get to school
All he could think about was Riley
He finished his breakfast and ran out the door before his mom could even leave the kitchen
Surprised his mom met him at the car and asked Shawn what has you so ecstatic this morning
Shawn replied I want to go to school so that’s I can get to the playground and try again to see Riley and get him to play momma
With a smile on her face they both climbed into their seats in the car
After belting themselves into their seats Shawn’s mom turned on the radio and they traveled to school
When Shawn got to school he jumped out of the car and began to run ahead in when his mom grabbed him and stopped him in his tracks
Hey, not so fast youngster she said as she reached for a hug
Shawn reached out gave her his hug and kiss and ran off yelling bye momma I love you
The school day began
Shawn kept looking at the clock ticking away every hour awaiting his playground time to look for Riley
Time seemed to be moving so slow today
Hours by hours went by
But it just moved turtle speed
After lunch his excitement returned because he only had three classes after lunch being that he is only four
Time passed by fast this time as his excitement returned
Finally it was time for his mom to come
He ran back n forth peering through the window expecting his mother and sure enough there she was so the aid walked him out but he ran ahead
He jumped in the car and buckled quickly into his seatbelt
When he got to the playground Riley was there playing on the climber
Shawn ran over to the climber and began to climb yelling hi Riley
Riley turned to see Shawn and just looked away Shawn knew he had to find out what Riley likes so when they finished climbing Shawn asked Riley if he wanted to slide with him
Riley turned and for the first time responded sheepishly okay
So together they went to the slide
One by one the children all slid down
Then they met this boy Todd
Todd was not kind
Todd was being a bully and picky with the boys he would insult and mock all that the boys would do until one time he couldn’t find his mother so he gently turned to the boys frantic and panicking and said I don’t see my mom
Shawn knew that he had been mean to them but instead he knew he had to keep him calm so he offered to stay with him till he saw his mom so he said let’s go tell my mom maybe she can help so the three boys ran across the playground to Shawn’s mom to save Todd’s panicking
They explained to Shawn’s mom what was going on
Shawn’s mom reassured the boys that Todd’s mom I’m sure was present just at the moment not found
They waited with Shawn’s mother and all talked to calm Todd down some
As they were sitting there talking Todd kept searching for his mother
He was becoming very anxious
He again said Shawn’s mother, I cannot find her
With that his mother came out of the bathroom looking for him
He saw her and ran to her giving her a great big hug
Todd told his mother he was scared because he couldn’t find her but that Shawn’s mother kept telling him it would be okay
In hearing this Todd’s mother took Todd’s hand and went to meet and thank Shawn and Shawn’s mother
The two mothers spoke and Todd’s mother thanked them and continued talking Shawn smiled and said I know how easily it is being scared I didn’t want him scared
Again she thanked him and all made friends
Shawn,Todd and Riley went home that night all happy and returned the next day again to play
You see sometimes we bully people but then may need them when we most need them and sometimes they will refuse to help because they’ve been bullied in this case Shawn even though he was bullied by Todd he decided to take matters on himself and show his bully love and compassion instead and they and their mothers all quickly became friends
