The Dog Who Could Breathe Underwater

Lily was the smallest girl in her class, with wild red **hair** that never stayed in braids. Every day at recess, she sat alone while other children played.

One summer morning, Lily's grandmother gave her a shiny orange pill. "This isn't ordinary medicine," Grandma whispered. "It's a special **vitamin** for courage. Take it when you're ready to be brave."

Lily tucked it into her pocket.

That afternoon, she met Barnaby, a scruffy golden **dog** who lived next door. Barnaby had lost his favorite ball in the creek behind their houses. He whined and pawed at the water, but he was too afraid to jump in.

Lily knelt beside him. "I'm scared of new things too."

Barnaby looked into her eyes with such understanding that Lily felt a spark of warmth. Maybe they could be brave together.

"Should we try **swimming**?" she asked.

Barnaby barked once—a definite yes.

Lily's hands trembled as she reached into her pocket. The courage vitamin felt warm against her palm. But then she looked at Barnaby, who was trembling too, and suddenly she knew the truth.

She didn't need magic to be brave. She just needed a friend.

Lily slipped the vitamin back into her pocket. "We can do this together," she told Barnaby. "One step at a time."

Hand in paw, they waded into the shallow water. It was cool and tickled their toes. Barnaby splashed happily, and soon they were both floating side by side. Barnaby even found his ball!

That day, Lily learned something better than magic: courage isn't something you swallow. It grows inside you when you face your fears with a friend by your side.

And Barnaby? He became the first dog who loved swimming almost as much as he loved his girl with the wild red hair.