1] Vivian sat on the beach and poked her toes in the sand. She wiggled them nervously and ducked her head to shield her eyes from the hot sun. [2] “What’s the matter, sis?” asked her brother from behind.

[3] “N- nothing,” she stammered. Her stomach felt like a bag of popcorn getting ready to burst.

[4] “Hey, look,” he replied, “I know this is your first time, but you’ll do great. I’m sure of it.”

[5] A week earlier, Vivian had asked her brother, Clarence, to show her how to surf. She had been thinking about trying it for a long time and Clarence was an expert. He had been in a surfing club for six years and had become so good that people actually paid him to teach them. So, yesterday, Clarence told Vivian all she needed to know to get started. Today she would try to surf for the first time, but now she wasn’t so sure she wanted to.

[6] “What if I fall, though?” Vivian asked.

[7] “Of course you’ll fall. Everyone falls the first time. You’ll probably fall the first ten times. What’s important is getting back up and being safe.” He paused and looked her in the eye. “Besides,” he added, “I’ll be there too and I’ll make sure you’re all right.”

[8] After her brother’s pep talk, Vivian sat on the beach for a few more minutes. Finally, she took a deep breath and stood up. She gazed out at the bay. It was time to give it a shot.