Once upon a time, there was a little courageous grasshopper in a kingdom full of grass. He was green and yellow and very small. Everyone called him “Pilly” because he was never scared to try new things.

Pilly loved playing with his friends in the field during the evenings. Whenever they played ball, Pilly would happily jump up the tall grass to find the ball.

One day, after a game, Pilly fell from a really tall piece of grass and hurt his three left legs. His friends felt really sorry for him because he couldn’t move anymore.

Pilly’s friends quickly went to get his mom and dad. The whole neighborhood came to see what happened.

They were all surprised because Pilly was usually a happy hopper. They carefully carried him to the nearest hospital to get help.

What had happened to Pilly?

Dr. Jones checked Pilly quickly and looked sad when he talked. He said Pilly’s tough outer covering, called an exoskeleton, was broken. This covering keeps Pilly’s insides safe.

Pilly also had some cracks in his three left legs.

Word about Pilly’s condition spread fast in the grassy kingdom. Everyone hoped and prayed that Pilly would get better soon.

Lying on the bed helpless and worried that he would never play again, Pilly’s mother kept encouraging him.

She read Psalm 31:24, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord,” and Isaiah 41: 10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” to him every morning.

After waiting for two months, Pilly got all better and could leave the hospital.

All his neighbors and friends came to see him at his house. Some of them worried that Pilly might be sad and not hop around like before.

But guess what? After just two weeks of resting, Pilly was back in the field, full of energy!

He played with his friends and jumped high to catch the ball, just like he used to. It was a big surprise for everyone to see Pilly so happy and active again.

Why was Pilly still courageous?

After a game, Pilly’s best friends, all six of them, asked him why he was still so brave. Pilly smiled and shared a story with them.

He said, “When I was a little baby, my mom used to read a special verse from the Bible to me. It’s from Joshua 1:9, and it goes like this: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be scared, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

This verse taught me that life brings challenges, but I need to be brave because God is always with me. It’s believing in God that gives me courage. You can try it too, and you’ll see!”

About a month later, Pilly noticed something interesting. His friends were taking turns to get the ball during their games.

Pilly was sure they were being brave, just like he talked about. They must have remembered the verse and felt stronger because of it.

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