Leo's Laugh and the Lesson

Leo zipped into gym class, sneakers squeaking on the shiny floor. Blue and red balls bounced everywhere. Colorful mats waited for tumbling tricks. Leo couldn't wait to play with his friends. Coach Ramos blew her whistle. 'Ready for bounce tag? Find a mat, and watch those feet!' As Leo bounced, his friend Jamie leapt over a mat but his foot caught the corner. Jamie skidded across the mat on his knees. 'Whoa! Did you see that?' Leo giggled, loud enough for everyone to hear. Some kids chuckled. Jamie's cheeks turned red as raspberries. He sat on the edge of the mat, picking at a string on his shoe. The game sped on, but Jamie stayed quiet, staring at the floor. At recess, Leo raced to the swings, but Jamie didn't join him. Leo swung high, hoping Jamie would wave. He didn't. Leo's tummy felt twisty. But class soon called them back, and the feeling drifted away. ## Slipping Up The next day, the mats were out again. Leo wanted to be fastest, sneaker laces double-knotted. The whistle blew. Leo dashed for the ball, arms out, but he missed it-his feet slid, and his whole body toppled forward, bumping his knee and elbow on the mat. He heard it: a burst of giggles from the class. Then someone snorted. Leo's cheeks burned hot. His eyes prickled. He blinked fast. Now he knew how Jamie felt. He wished the giggles would stop floating all around him. Jamie was nearby. He didn't laugh. Instead, Jamie reached out a hand. 'You okay, Leo?' Jamie asked. Leo took Jamie's hand and stood up slowly. 'Yeah. Um... I'm sorry I laughed when you slipped yesterday. It didn't feel good when it happened to me.' Jamie nodded. A tiny smile curled on his lips. 'It's okay. Falling's not fun. But we can help each other up-even if we look silly.' Leo grinned. 'Next time, let's cheer instead of laugh. Want to make up a cheer for when someone falls?' ## A New Cheer Jamie jumped in, clapping his hands. 'Up you go, dust it off, strong and brave-you can do it!' Leo added a bounce and a silly dance. Soon, other kids joined their cheer whenever someone slipped. Even Coach Ramos cheered along. At the end of gym, Jamie and Leo ran side by side. Jamie wasn't quiet now. Leo was careful with his laughs. He remembered how a giggle can sting. But a kind word and a little cheer could bring friends back together, no matter what.