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In the bright midday playground sandbox, Josh kneels on warm sand, smiling as he hands his shiny red truck to Patrick. Patrick sits opposite, eyes wide with excitement, small sandy hills around them.
Josh brought his new red truck to school. He zoomed it across the playground. Patrick ran over to see. "Wow! That's so cool!" Patrick said. Josh smiled and handed Patrick the truck. "Want to play together?" Josh asked. Patrick nodded happily. They made roads in the sandbox. The red truck went up and down the sandy hills. The two friends laughed and played.
In the same sunny playground, Max strides away from the sandbox clutching the red truck, his back half-turned toward Josh and Patrick. Patrick stands beside Josh, shoulders slumped and eyes glistening, while Josh watches anxiously, hands hovering forward.
A bigger kid named Max walked over. He grabbed the red truck from Patrick's hands. "I want this," Max said. Patrick looked sad. Josh felt worried. Max started to walk away with the truck. Patrick's eyes got watery. Josh didn't know what to do. He looked at Patrick. He looked at Max. Josh took a deep breath. He knew he had to help his friend.
Under the clear afternoon light by the sandbox, Josh stands tall facing Max, arm extended to receive the red truck. Patrick stands slightly behind Josh, nervous smile forming, while Max hesitantly returns the toy, eyes lowered.
"Wait, Max!" Josh said loudly. His voice shook a little. "That's my truck. Patrick and I are playing with it." Max stopped and turned around. "Please give it back," Josh said. His heart beat fast but he stood tall. Patrick stood next to Josh. "We were playing together," Patrick added quietly. Max looked at both boys. He saw they were being brave together. Max handed back the truck. "Sorry," Max mumbled.
In the golden late-afternoon sunlight, the three boys kneel in the playground sandbox, carving a winding road through the sand. Josh drives the red truck over tiny hills while Patrick hands Max a toy car, all smiling.
Josh and Patrick smiled at each other. "Thank you for helping me," Patrick said. "That's what friends do," Josh replied. Max kicked the sand with his shoe. "Can I play too?" Max asked quietly. Josh and Patrick looked at each other. They nodded together. "Sure! We can all play," Josh said. Patrick handed Max a toy car. The three boys built a big road together. Everyone was happy. Being kind felt good.