Chapter 4

"Where are we going?"

"That's up to you."

"It is?"

"Isn't how your life turns out up to you?"

Lacey gets an adorable look on her face as she thinks about it for a second. Then she says, "I guess it is."

"Why don't you write that down in your new tablet for future writings and self- beliefs."

"Okay. What should I write?"

"Well, it is of course up to you, but I think the heading could read 'I do have power'."

Lacey smiles as she writes it down. She also writes down her own little thought. "It is my responsibility how I respond to people. When I let other people's actions affect me, I am giving them my power." Lacey smiles prettily again.

Leo is looking down at her as she is writing in her new tablet, and then he sees her smile after she is finished writing it. "What are you smiling about?" Lacey hands him her tablet and lets him read what she just wrote. Leo reads it and then his eyes fill with tears of pride as he says, "I am very proud of you, Lacey. That is such a wonderful declaration."

Both of them are smiling as they hold hands again and begin to walk through the wild forest. Leo is on the left and Lacey is in the center, while Hugs is floating to the right.

"Hugs?"

"Yes, Lacey."

"I want to thank you."

"For what, dear?"

"Many times when I was feeling sad a hug from you cheered me up."

"Well, I'm glad. And I want to thank you for always taking such good care of me. You never let me get dirty, and you always made sure I was comfortable."

"In fact it is, in part, because how you always treated Hugs that you are able to hear him talk now." says Leo. "Since you have such a beautiful heart that you care so much about your stuffed animal, an object that could be seen as less than you, well, how could we not support and love you back."

Lacey smiles prettily because it feels wonderful to be supported and loved. "I like being kind."

"Me too!" says Leo.

"Me too!" says Hugs.

Lacey giggles sweetly and is just getting ready to say something else when she hears somebody else coming along. She can't see him yet because of the trees, but she can hear him singing. "Who's that?" asks Lacey curiously.

"That, my Princess, is Charlie."

"Charlie? Is he nice?"

"As long as you are nice to him, he will be nice to you. In fact, why don't we listen to what he is singing."

"Okay," says Lacey going silent.

This is what they hear:

I am a crazy kitty cat

I would rather run and play

Having fun with my friends all day

When somebody is mean to someone sweet

I hiss and show my claws

I'll bite if I must because it is wrong to be a bully

There is no reason to build yourself up

By bringing other people down

To every bully who is listening today

You are a worthy person

You don't have to be that way

Kind and caring people have trustworthy friends

But fear not

It is never too late to apologize

To be a good person again

I am a crazy kitty cat.

I would rather run and play.

Having fun with my friends all day

When somebody is mean to someone sweet

I hiss and show my claws

I'll bite if I must because it is wrong to be a bully

There is no reason to build yourself up

By bringing other people down

To every bully listening today

You are a worthy person

You don't have to be that way

Kind and caring people have trustworthy friends

But fear not