Friends 👥 First: a short story for kids

0:04 [SPEAKER_01]: Hello, Away Islanders. [SPEAKER_01]: We are so glad you're here. [SPEAKER_01]: Let's see if you have everything you want to become on Away Island. [SPEAKER_01]: Are the lights in your room dim or off? [SPEAKER_01]: Do you have your favorite blanket or listening, buddy? [SPEAKER_01]: Before we begin our story, let's relax by taking a nice, deep dragon breath.

0:33 [SPEAKER_01]: Breathe in through your nose, filling up your lungs, and then out through your mouth, imagining you are breathing fire, like a dragon. [SPEAKER_00]: Ready? [SPEAKER_01]: Deep breath in and out. [SPEAKER_01]: Fufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufuf [SPEAKER_01]: The universe surrounds you with loving energy that circles all around your body.

1:12 [SPEAKER_01]: Feel the warmth of that energy in your feet, moving up through your legs, chest, and back, and then out through your arms, hands, neck, and head. [SPEAKER_01]: The energy flows within you, and you feel strong, and safe, and loved. [SPEAKER_01]: Take another deep dragon breath in and out.

1:52 [SPEAKER_01]: As you twinkle in the darkness, your whole body shares your loving light with the universe. [SPEAKER_01]: You send your energy outward to the other stars in the sky. [SPEAKER_01]: They send their light back to you, strengthening you. [SPEAKER_01]: Together, you light up the universe. [SPEAKER_01]: As you radiate energy and light, let's take one last deep dragon breath in and out.

2:36 [SPEAKER_01]: great job everyone. [SPEAKER_01]: I hope you are tucked in nice and cozy. [SPEAKER_01]: And now we're ready to begin our story. [SPEAKER_00]: Let's be calm on our way island. [SPEAKER_00]: Our story today is friends first. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj glanced through the school window at the playground.

3:06 [SPEAKER_00]: It was a beautiful day outside. [SPEAKER_00]: This sky was a clear blue, and the leaves on the trees fluttered gently in the breeze. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj had been sitting at his desk for much of the morning, and he was looking forward to going outside and moving around. [SPEAKER_00]: When the teacher announced that it was time for recess, [SPEAKER_00]: Raj quickly joined his classmates as they headed toward the playground.

3:37 [SPEAKER_00]: As soon as he stepped outside, he felt the warm sunshine on his face. [SPEAKER_00]: Children scattered toward the climbing tower, the slide, and the open grassy area where a group had already started kicking a ball around. [SPEAKER_00]: the swing set. [SPEAKER_00]: On a day like today, he was especially looking forward to feeling the refreshing wind, rushing past him as he flew through the air.

4:16 [SPEAKER_00]: Unfortunately, Raj was apparently not the only person who wanted to swing that morning. [SPEAKER_00]: There was already a line of children waiting [SPEAKER_00]: Raj hurried over and took his place at the end of the line. [SPEAKER_00]: He watched, as three children swung back and forth, the chains creaking with each movement.

4:42 [SPEAKER_00]: Soon, one child slowed down and hopped off, and then the next person stepped forward and took their spot. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj moved one place closer. [SPEAKER_00]: Another child took a turn. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj moved forward again. [SPEAKER_00]: The whole process was taking longer than Raj had hoped.

5:04 [SPEAKER_00]: Already, a few children had lined up behind him. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj glanced toward the school building and wondered how much recess time was left. [SPEAKER_00]: He worried it would be over before he had a chance to swim. [SPEAKER_00]: Still, everyone deserved a turn. [SPEAKER_00]: After a little while, only one child stood between Raj and the swing.

5:34 [SPEAKER_00]: Raj smiled with excitement. [SPEAKER_00]: His turn was getting close. [SPEAKER_00]: As Raj waited his turn, his friend Owen came up and joined the line. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj noticed that Owen's shoulders were drooping, and he was looking at the ground. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj frowned. [SPEAKER_00]: something seemed wrong with his friend.

5:59 [SPEAKER_00]: He was usually very excited to join in on the fun during recess. [SPEAKER_00]: Hi Owen. [SPEAKER_00]: Are you okay? [SPEAKER_00]: Asked Raj? [SPEAKER_00]: Owen looked up at Raj. [SPEAKER_00]: His eyes seemed a little watery. [SPEAKER_00]: Kind of, Owen replied quietly. [SPEAKER_00]: My favorite pencil broke during math time.

6:27 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, and explained. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj waited for Owen to say more. [SPEAKER_00]: It was the blue one with clouds on it. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen continued, I've had it since the beginning of school. [SPEAKER_00]: It was a gift from my mom. [SPEAKER_00]: I must have been pressing too hard because it snapped in half.

6:50 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh no, Raj said sympathetically, what did you do? [SPEAKER_00]: I told the teacher who gave me another pencil so I could finish my work, oh and explain. [SPEAKER_00]: But I still liked my old one better. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj understood. [SPEAKER_00]: He knew what it was like to be sad about losing something special.

7:13 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm sorry it broke, Raj said. [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks, Owen replied, looking toward the swings. [SPEAKER_00]: I think swinging might help me feel better, but I think recess is almost over. [SPEAKER_00]: At that exact moment, a child on the swing began dragging their shoes through the mulch to slow down.

7:36 [SPEAKER_00]: The child who had been standing in front of Raj went to take their turn. [SPEAKER_00]: Now Raj was at the very front of the line. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj looked at the swing, then back at Owen's sad face. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen was further back in the line, and he probably wouldn't make it to the swings before recess was over.

8:01 [SPEAKER_00]: Raj felt bad for Owen, and thought about letting his friend take his spot in line. [SPEAKER_00]: But then again, Raj had spent almost the entire recess waiting for this moment, and he really wanted his turn. [SPEAKER_00]: If Raj gave up his place now, he would have to move all the way to the back of the line.

8:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Resess would probably be over before his turn would come. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj felt disappointed just thinking about it. [SPEAKER_00]: He took a deep dragon breath in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: Then he looked at Owen again. [SPEAKER_00]: his friend really did need some cheering up, he thought.

8:52 [SPEAKER_00]: Owen, you can have my turn, Raj offered. [SPEAKER_00]: Let's switch spots. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen looked at him with surprise. [SPEAKER_00]: Really? [SPEAKER_00]: But you've been waiting all this time. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen replied, I know, but I think you could really use a swing right now. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj replied, [SPEAKER_00]: Are you sure?

9:17 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, and asked. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj nodded. [SPEAKER_00]: I'm sure. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen smiled for the first time since coming outside. [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks, Raj. [SPEAKER_00]: He said, greatly. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen and Raj traded places in line. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen moved up to the front. [SPEAKER_00]: And Raj walked back to the place where Owen had been waiting.

9:43 [SPEAKER_00]: When the swing became available, Owen climbed onto the seat and wrapped his hands around the chains. [SPEAKER_00]: Rise watched, as Owen pushed off from the ground and began swinging back and forth. [SPEAKER_00]: Slowly at first, and then, faster and higher. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen's smile grew bigger, the higher he swung, and rise smiled too.

10:11 [SPEAKER_00]: He would still rather be swinging than waiting, but he was also glad to see his friend looking happier. [SPEAKER_00]: After a bit of swinging, Owen hopped off and walked back to Raj. [SPEAKER_00]: That was fun. [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for letting me have your spot. [SPEAKER_00]: Said Owen, your welcome, Raj replied.

10:34 [SPEAKER_00]: I'll wait with you until you get another turn. [SPEAKER_00]: Owen offered. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj Grind. [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, he said happily. [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, and I was thinking, while you were on the swings, your pencil snapped in two halves, right? [SPEAKER_00]: Oh and nodded. [SPEAKER_00]: What if you sharpen the broken ends, Raj suggested?

11:00 [SPEAKER_00]: You could turn it into two short pencils. [SPEAKER_00]: Oh and beamed at the idea. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, I could keep one in my desk, and one in my backpack, he added. [SPEAKER_00]: Suddenly, the sound of the teacher's whistle rang out across the playground. [SPEAKER_00]: That meant recess was over.

11:22 [SPEAKER_00]: All the children began heading back into the school building. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj glanced toward the swings. [SPEAKER_00]: Just as he had expected, recess had ended before he could get another turn. [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, and noticed Raj looking toward the swing set. [SPEAKER_00]: I'm sorry you didn't get a turn because you gave me yours, he said.

11:46 [SPEAKER_00]: As the two friends started walking inside, Raj realized he wasn't feeling as disappointed as he had expected. [SPEAKER_00]: When he looked at Owen, he remembered the smile that had appeared on his friend's face while he was swinging. [SPEAKER_00]: That's okay. [SPEAKER_00]: I can swing at lunchtime recess, Raj replied.

12:09 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm glad that you are feeling better. [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks, Raj. [SPEAKER_00]: That was really kind of you. [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, and said, warmly. [SPEAKER_00]: That night, Raj climbed into bed and thought about everything he had to be grateful for from the day. [SPEAKER_00]: He stretched out beneath his blankets.

12:32 [SPEAKER_00]: Rusted his head on his comfy pillow, and light out a long, sleepy, yon, feeling grateful for everything that had happened that day. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj felt grateful that swinging had helped Owen feel happier, after his favorite pencil [SPEAKER_00]: He was also grateful that Owen had a way to turn his broken pencil into two smaller pencils.

13:18 [SPEAKER_00]: Rage snuggled deeper beneath his warm blanket and took another deep dragon grab in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: that he had been able to do something kind for his friend, even though giving up his turn on the swing had not been easy. [SPEAKER_00]: Raj knew there would be other recesses, another chance as to swing.

13:55 [SPEAKER_00]: He wrapped his arms around himself in a tight hug and took one last deep dragon breath, in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: His body relaxed, his mind grew quiet, and Raj drifted off to sleep, dreaming of swinging high in the sky, with his friend Owen. [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for joining us to become an A-way island.

14:29 [SPEAKER_00]: See you next time.