Sire had been walking all morning. His backpack was full of everything he thought he needed: rope, a tiny lantern, a canteen of water, a map, and three sandwiches.
But the trail had grown steep. The rocks were slippery. The sun was high and hot. And Sire's legs were starting to wobble.
"I can do it myself," he said out loud, even though his voice sounded tired.
He kept climbing. One step. Then another. Then a rock turned under his hoof and he stumbled.
"I am fine," he whispered, but his eyes were shiny with tears he was trying not to let fall.
From higher up the trail, Sage appeared. She was carrying her own pack, but she walked slowly and steadily, the way grandmothers who have climbed many mountains do.
She did not rush down. She did not take over. She simply sat on a wide, flat rock and waited.
"That is a heavy pack for one set of hooves," she said.
Sire looked down. "I wanted to do it by myself."
"I know. And you have been very strong. But strength is not the same as stubbornness."
Sire sat on the step below her. "What is the difference?"
"Strength is doing what needs to be done. Stubbornness is pretending you don't need anyone at all."
Sire was quiet for a long moment. Then he took a breath and said the words he had been holding in.
"Sage, will you walk with me?"
Sage smiled — the kind of smile that held no "I told you so," only love.
"Always."
She stood up and offered him a hoof. Not to pull him, but to steady him. Together they climbed the rest of the trail, one step at a time, with Sire's pack now a little lighter because Sage carried the rope.
"Asking for help," Sage said, "is how brave goats grow stronger."
Today’s Word: Brave
BRAYV
Brave means doing something even when it feels hard or scary. Asking for help is brave because it takes honesty and trust. Brave does not mean doing everything alone.
What does asking for help mean?
Who can you ask for help?
Tap the people you could talk to when the path feels steep. There is no wrong answer.
🎨 Draw
Draw Sire and Sage climbing the trail together. Draw one thing Sire is holding, and one thing Sage is helping him carry.