07/02/2025
The Bridge of Courage
There was once a young man named Alex who lived in a small town surrounded by lush forests and winding rivers. Every day, he would walk to work, taking the same safe, familiar path. But one morning, a storm washed out the old bridge, leaving only a rickety, narrow one in its place.
Alex stood at the edge of the new bridge, his heart pounding. The wooden planks creaked in the wind, and the river below roared with icy water. Fear gripped him. *What if I fall? What if I can’t make it across?*
Days turned into weeks, and Alex took longer, exhausting detours to avoid the bridge. But one day, running late for an important meeting, he had no choice. He stood at the edge again, trembling.
Just then, an elderly woman approached, carrying a basket of apples. Without hesitation, she stepped onto the bridge and began crossing. Halfway across, she turned to Alex and called out, *“The bridge isn’t the problem, dear. It’s the stories you tell yourself about it.”*
Her words struck him. Alex took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and stepped onto the bridge. With each step, his fear began to fade. The planks creaked, but they held. The wind blew, but he kept his balance. By the time he reached the other side, he felt a surge of pride.
From that day on, Alex took the bridge every morning. It never became easy, but it became familiar. And each time he crossed, he reminded himself: Fear is just a story. Courage is choosing to rewrite it.
Moral of the story:
Fear often feels bigger than it is. The first step is always the hardest, but with each step, you prove to yourself that you’re stronger than your fears.