Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Mia. Mia had curly hair and a big smile. Today was a very special day. Do you know why?
Because Mia had a new bicycle! It was red and shiny. It had two white wheels and a silver bell. Ring-ring went the bell.
Ding-ding! Mia loved her bicycle. She named it Rosie. Mia put on her helmet.
It was pink and sparkly. Click, click went the strap. Then, Mia and her dad walked to the neighborhood park.
The sun was shining bright. The sky was blue. The grass was green and soft. At the park, there was a long path.
It was perfect for riding bikes. Are you ready to ride? asked Dad. Yes!
said Mia. She climbed onto the red seat. Her feet dangled for a moment. Then, she put them on the pedals.
Dad held onto the back of the seat. I will help you, said Dad. Pedal with your feet. One, two, three, go!
Mia pushed her feet down. Pedal, pedal, pedal. The bike moved forward. It felt exciting!
The wind brushed against her cheeks. Whoosh! But then, something happened.
The bike started to shake. It went wibble, wobble. Then it went wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble.
Mia felt scared. Oh no! she cried. The bike tipped over.
Bump! Mia landed on the soft grass. She was not hurt, but she felt sad. Her bike wheel spun in the air.
Whirr, whirr. I cannot do it, said Mia. She crossed her arms. The bike is too wobbly.
Dad knelt down on the grass. He looked at Mia with kind eyes. Mia, learning to ride is hard, he said softly. But you are brave.
Do you know what perseverance means? Mia shook her head. No. Perseverance means we try again, Dad explained.
Even when we fall down. Even when things are wobbly. We get back up. We try, try again.
Mia looked at her bike. It was still red and shiny. A little butterfly landed on the handlebar. It seemed to say, You can do it!
Okay, said Mia. She stood up. She brushed the grass off her knees. I will try again.
That is my girl, said Dad. Can you guess what happened next? Mia climbed back on the seat. Wiggle, wiggle went her body.
She held the handlebars tight. She looked straight ahead at the big oak tree. Pedal, pedal, pedal! said Dad.
Wibble, wobble. The bike shook a little bit. Mia took a deep breath. She did not look down.
She looked at the tree. She pushed her feet harder. Pedal, pedal, pedal, zoom! Suddenly, the wobble stopped!
The bike went straight and fast. The wind whooshed in her ears. Whoosh! Whoosh!
I am doing it! shouted Mia. Look, Dad! Look!
Dad let go of the seat. He ran behind her, clapping his hands. Clap, clap, clap! You are riding!
he cheered. You did it! Mia rode all the way to the big oak tree. She used her brakes.
Squeak! She stopped and put her feet down. She felt so tall. She felt so proud.
She rode back to Dad. Zoom! This time, she went even faster. She rang her bell.
Ding-ding! Mia learned a big lesson that day. Sometimes things are hard. Sometimes we wobble and fall.
But if we keep trying, we can fly like the wind. Good job, Mia, said Dad. He gave her a big hug. It was the best day ever.
The end.