David's Determination: A Cross-Country Run Story

I could tell he was upset and I didn’t blame him. It was hard enough for him to participate in the cross-country run, let alone face the possibility of being laughed at by kids from other schools. I tried to reassure him that he was brave and that I was proud of him no matter what. Slowly, David’s big toothy smile returned, and he began to relax.

I watched as David moved up to the starting line with the other runners. His small frame was surrounded by taller, stronger kids, but he didn’t seem to notice. I could see the determination in his eyes as he focused on the path ahead. The whistle blew and the kids took off, their feet pounding against the forest floor. David was at the back of the pack, but he wasn’t alone. His classmates and teachers were cheering him on, shouting words of encouragement as he struggled to keep up.

I followed David along the route, watching as he pushed himself to his limits. Despite the pain and exhaustion, he never gave up. When he finally crossed the finish line, long after the other runners, he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. But he was smiling, a smile that lit up his whole face and showed just how proud he was of himself. And we were all proud of him too, for showing us that determination and hard work can overcome even the toughest obstacles.