Junior Vocab
Defending Friends
Anya: "Why are you blocking Karan from the swing, Meera?"
Meera: "He laughed when I fell yesterday. He can't play with us."
Karan: "I felt bad after. I said sorry and brought you that orange candy."
Meera: "My knees still hurt. Sorry doesn't make the sting go away."
Anya: "Your Amma put that cool coconut oil, remember? You were racing me again."
Meera: "Still. Nobody defended me when they all laughed."
Karan: "I wanted to say, 'Stop it,' but my mouth felt stuck."
Anya: "When Rishi called you 'crybaby' in class, I defended you. I told him to stop."
Meera: "Yeah. You stood next to me. I didn't feel alone."
Karan: "I was scared they'd tease me too. I didn't know how to defend anyone."
Anya: "You can try now. The boys are playing far away."
Karan: "Okay. Meera, can we share the swing?"
Meera: "What if they come back and laugh again?"
Karan: "Then I'll stand with you and say, 'Don't laugh at her.' I'll defend you this time."
Meera: "You promise? No running away?"
Karan: "Promise. I'll defend you like Anya defended you."
Anya: "See? Today the swing has two guards."
Meera: "Hmm... okay. Karan, you push first, then my turn."
Karan: "Deal. And if anyone laughs, we defend each other."