Evelyn ran ahead of the group as they walked into school from the bus. She couldn’t wait to show Lara her new skirt. They had gone shopping together over the weekend and had agreed to wear their purchases today.

As Evelyn went down the small hill to the building, she slipped. She fell on her bottom. She landed right in the middle of a giant, wet, sloppy, mud puddle.

 Evelyn’s new skirt was covered in icky, brown mud. It had splashed on her sweater and all over her backpack. Her socks and shoes were a mess.

Worst of all, the group walking behind her had seen the whole thing. Evelyn was embarrassed. No, she felt even worse than embarrassed. Evelyn was mortified. She was humiliated. She wanted to cry.

“Are you ok?” one of the kids called to her.

“Are you hurt?” asked another.

Evelyn was too embarrassed to answer. But she knew she needed to say something.

“I’m fine,” she said quietly. Her body wasn’t hurt, even if her pride was.

Someone stopped to help her get up. Someone else gave her tissues from their bag. The tissues were no match for the mud.

Evelyn made her way inside. Her cheeks were burning from embarrassment. She looked for Lara. She knew Lara would help her clean up in the bathroom. And what a story she would have to share!