The sun peeked through the window, making a warm spot on the rug. Scarlett giggled and pointed! "Sun!" she exclaimed. Grandpa smiled. "Ready for a big day at the playground, little one?" he asked. Scarlett nodded, her eyes wide with excitement.
Today wasn't just any playground. This playground was special! Grandpa had told Scarlett all about it. "It's a magic playground," he had whispered, winking, "with a friendly witch!" Scarlett loved stories about witches, especially kind ones.
Grandpa helped Scarlett into her shoes. Then, they walked hand-in-hand to the park. But when they arrived, it looked like any other playground! Scarlett frowned. Grandpa chuckled, "It's hidden, silly! We have to be brave and use our imagination."
He pointed to a big oak tree with twisting branches. "Let's climb!" he said. Scarlett, always a brave girl, took Grandpa's hand and started climbing. Up, up, up they went, until...whoosh! The branches seemed to part, and suddenly they were in a playground like no other!
Brightly colored slides spiraled into clouds of cotton candy. Swings soared high above the ground, reaching for the stars. And best of all, a kind-looking witch with a purple hat sat by a table, stirring a big pot.
"Welcome!" the witch said, her voice like tinkling bells. "This is the Playground of Courage! Are you ready to be brave?" Scarlett, a little shy at first, peeked out from behind Grandpa's leg.
The witch smiled and pulled out a tray of cookies. "These aren't just any cookies," she explained. "They're Courage Cookies! One bite and you'll feel brave enough to try anything!"
Scarlett cautiously took a bite. It tasted like sunshine and rainbows! She felt a warm feeling in her chest, like a happy secret.
First, she tried the giant slide. It was so high, but she remembered the Courage Cookie and took a deep breath. Down she went, giggling the whole way! Next, she swung on the star-reaching swings, feeling like she could touch the sky!
Grandpa smiled, so proud of his brave granddaughter. He knew that even without the cookie, Scarlett had a big heart full of courage. He watched as she made friends with the other children, sharing her toys and laughing.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, it was time to go home. "Thank you for a magical day," Grandpa said to the witch.
"Remember," the witch told Scarlett, "courage isn't about not being afraid. It's about being brave even when you are. You have a lot of courage, little one."
Scarlett hugged the witch goodbye. Back through the oak tree they went, and soon they were walking home hand-in-hand.
"That was the best day ever!" Scarlett exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. Grandpa smiled. He knew that even without magic playgrounds and Courage Cookies, Scarlett would always find ways to be brave and kind.
