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In Aras' softly lit bedroom at dawn, Aras sits on his bed clutching his belly, wide-eyed, while Mom kneels beside him smiling reassuringly and Dad stands near the door with a gentle grin.
Aras, with short light-brown hair, woke early. His tummy fluttered like tiny butterflies. "I feel nervous," he whispered. Mom smiled. "Courage grows with small steps." Dad added, "We’ll help all morning."
In the bright bathroom, Aras stands on a stool brushing his teeth, wearing the comfy blue shirt Mom straightens, while Dad packs a snack and water bottle into a small backpack on the counter.
Mom helped pick a comfy blue shirt. Dad packed a snack and water bottle. "Brush, brush," Aras sang, brushing teeth. "Shoes on, backpack ready," Mom cheered. Aras breathed slowly. "I can try."
On a sunny neighborhood sidewalk, Aras walks between Mom and Dad, holding Dad's hand and counting steps, morning sunlight casting long shadows over their smiling faces and blooming yard flowers.
They walked down a sunny street together. "Hold my hand," Dad said kindly. Aras counted steps to calm his breath. Mom said, "Each step is courage." Aras nodded, smiling a little.
At the brightly decorated classroom doorway, Ms. Lale kneels, smiling warmly, as Aras grips Dad's hand and peeks upward; soft morning light spills through hallway windows onto colorful welcome posters.
At the door, Aras held Dad's hand tightly. Ms. Lale, the teacher, knelt, smiling. "Welcome, Aras! I’m Ms. Lale," she said. "Hi," Aras whispered, peeking up. "You're safe here," Dad said softly.
Inside the cheerful classroom cubby corner, Aras stretches to hang his backpack in a bright cubby while Ms. Lale points proudly and Mom stands nearby with a quiet clapping smile; midday sun glows through high windows.
Ms. Lale pointed to bright cubbies. "Hang your backpack here," she guided. Aras hung it carefully, like a helper. "You did it!" Mom cheered quietly. Aras felt a warm, tiny brave spark.
On the colorful classroom rug, Aras sits crisscross among other students, raising his chin to say his name as Ms. Lale rings a tiny silver bell under warm afternoon ceiling lights.
Children sat crisscross on a colorful rug. Ms. Lale rang a tiny bell. "Say your name," she encouraged gently. "I'm Aras," he said, voice stronger. "Welcome, Aras!" everyone chimed happily.
At the classroom block station, Aras balances wooden blocks into a tall tower while Ms. Lale watches with a supportive smile and Mom, near the doorway, whispers encouragement; bright overhead lights create crisp colors.
Aras stacked blocks into a tall tower. "Careful balance," Ms. Lale said, smiling. The tower wobbled, then stood proudly. Mom whispered, "We'll see you later, brave star." "Okay!" Aras answered, feeling steady.
Seated at a sunlit art table, Aras concentrates on a crayon drawing of his house, Mom, Dad, and sunshine, while Ms. Lale leans beside him smiling and a tray of bright crayons spreads across the surface.
Ms. Lale set out bright crayons. "I'll draw our house," Aras decided. He added Mom, Dad, and sunshine. "Beautiful details," Ms. Lale praised. Aras grinned, tucking the picture safely.
At the same art table, Aras and Mika sit side by side exchanging colored crayons and giggling, freshly drawn pictures scattered before them under soft classroom lighting.
A child waved. "I'm Mika. Want crayons?" "Yes, thank you," Aras replied happily. They shared colors and giggled together. "Let's build after this," Mika suggested. "Deal!" Aras said, giving a thumbs-up.
On the sunny playground slide, Aras zooms downward with arms spread and a beaming face, while Mika stands at the bottom laughing and clapping, bright afternoon sky and swings filling the background.
Outside, they raced to the slide. "Ready, set, go!" Mika laughed. Aras whooshed down, arms wide. "You're fast," Mika cheered. "I'm brave and fast," Aras beamed.
Inside the cozy reading corner, Aras and Mika sit on a round carpet munching crunchy apple slices while Ms. Lale reads aloud from a picture book beneath warm lamplight, open shelves of stories behind her.
Back inside, crunchy apples appeared. Ms. Lale read a cozy story. Aras whispered, "School feels friendly now." Mika nodded. "Friends help courage grow." Aras breathed proudly, shoulders relaxed.
In the late-afternoon classroom doorway, Aras stands between Mom and Dad receiving warm hugs, smiling broadly, while Ms. Lale waves goodbye beside colorful dismissal charts lit by golden sunset through corridor windows.
Parents returned with warm hugs. "I did it!" Aras announced brightly. "We knew you could," Dad said. "See you tomorrow, Aras," Ms. Lale waved. Aras smiled, excited to go again.