Brave Firefighters

Agni Bear was invited to address students on International Firefighters' Day at the Aurora Valley School.

- Ashima Kaushik

Recently, Agni won a medal given by the Aurora Valley Fire Department for his outstanding services.

Agni was always fascinated by firefighters and fire trucks. It was his dream to become a firefighter. When he received this medal, tears of happiness had welled up in his eyes as he thought about his journey to make his dream come true.

As a child, Agni was bullied by everyone for being too small in size for a bear.

"Grow up, you tiny dot," everyone would say at school and in the playground.

As he was getting ready, unpleasant memories came rushing back to him. Once, ten-year-old Agni was reading a big book on firefighters, when Jenny Giraffe and his mother saw him.

Looking at Agni, Jenny's mother had laughed, "Grow up first, then read a book this size!"

All of this affected Agni and made him sad at times, but he did not give up on his dream. He believed in himself and became what he had always dreamt of becoming.

Agni looked into the mirror and proudly gave himself a salute with a big smile.

Just then, his friend, Harry monkey appeared in his red car and honked, "Come on, we will be late!"

"Just coming," Agni shouted.

All geared up in his firefighter's uniform, Agni came down and sat in Harry's car. He double-checked that he had his helmet, special mask, boots, jacket, gloves, and a walkie-talkie to show to the kids at the event.

As Harry drove towards the school, Agni was a little scared.

"What if everyone laughs thought, at me?" he

He was still a small bear, but a brave one.

It felt as if Harry had read his mind. He parked his car in the school's parking lot and said "Agni, you are the best bear in the whole world, always remember that. It does not matter if you are small in size; you have a large heart."