Leo the lion cub peeked out from behind a tall acacia tree. The golden savannah stretched before him, and his heart thumped like a drum.

His friends—Kye, Louie, Obama, and Ben—chattered excitedly about the big race.

Leo wanted to race, but his paws felt heavy with fear. He sighed, watching the wind play with the grass.

“Why don’t you join us, Leo?” asked Kye, his tail flicking happily

“I—I don’t know,” Leo mumbled. The mountain looked too tall, the stream too wide.

Leo’s mother nuzzled him. “Bravery isn’t about winning, my dear. It’s about trying.”

Leo thought about her words. Could he be brave?

He practiced alone, stepping closer to the stream. The water whispered secrets as it flowed over smooth stones.

One day, a wise old owl swooped down and landed beside him. “Fear is just a shadow,” she said. “Step through it, and you’ll find light."

Leo watched the owl disappear into the sky. Maybe he could be brave.

He practiced jumping over small puddles, then bigger ones.

He climbed small hills before facing the big mountain.

Finally, the race day arrived. The sun painted the sky in bold colors.

Leo stood at the starting line. His friends grinned at him.

The race began! Kye and Louie dashed ahead.

Leo took slow steps, his heart steady.