Mao Mao's Souvenir of Courage: From "I'm Scared" to "I Did It!"

Over the weekend, Mao Mao's family brought home some wonderful souvenirs to share. When Mao Mao saw them, his eyes lit up with excitement. "Mom, these are so cool! I want to take them to school to share with my teacher and friends," he said.

His mother smiled and nodded. "That's a wonderful idea, Mao Mao! Sharing is a very kind thing to do. However, this time, you need to be the one to tell the teacher about it yourself."

Upon hearing this, Mao Mao's excitement instantly faded. He looked down and whispered, "But... I'm too shy. I'm scared to talk to the teacher. Mom, can you please tell her for me?"

His mother knelt down so she was at eye level with him and spoke gently but firmly. "Mao Mao, if Mommy does it for you, it might feel easier now, but I would actually be doing you a disservice. I'd be taking away your chance to learn how to express yourself. It's not that I don't want to help; it's because I want you to grow. Let's practice what to say together at home first, so you’ll feel ready when you get to school."

So, they spent time role-playing in the living room. Mao Mao practiced how to greet the teacher, how to show the souvenir, and how to explain why he brought it. He practiced over and over until the words felt natural.

The next morning at the kindergarten gate, Mao Mao felt a little nervous, but he took a deep breath and remembered the promise he made to his mom. He walked up to his teacher, and though his face was a bit red, he clearly expressed his wish to share the souvenirs.

Seeing his teacher's proud smile and his classmates gathering around with curiosity, Mao Mao felt a surge of confidence. That day, he didn't just share a souvenir; he gained something much more valuable: the gift of courage.

This story teaches us that if a mother helps her child with everything out of short-term kindness, it can lead to long-term harm by depriving the child of the chance to learn from experience.