Late For School - Tales from Bark Mountain

0:00Welcome to another tale from Bark Mountain. The morning sun stretched across Bark Mountain as the fire hall came to life. Boots lined up neatly by the wall, helmets shine on their hooks. Firefighters Tom, Forest, Red, Izzy, Waz, and Dazzle moved throughout their daily routine, checking hoses, wiping down trucks, and laughing about who made the best pancakes at breakfast. Goose to the fire dog trotted proudly between them, tail wagging, making sure everything was just right. Chief Steve walked up to the windows that overlooked the fire trucks in the truck bay and sipped his coffee. Another good day in Bark Mountain, Chief Steve said.

1:03Just then, the dispatcher came over the radio. Bark Mountain Fire Department, the dispatcher, said. We have a school bus stop near the Bark Mountain Elementary School. The wheelchair ramp isn't working and a student is stuck on board. The truck bay shifted instantly from calm to focus. Chief Steve walked down the stairs and into the truck bay. All right crew, let's go help this kid. Goose bark once, excited to ride along. Omens later, the fire trucks were rolling through town and pulled up beside a bright yellow school bus parked right in front of the elementary school. The driver stood outside, ringing his hands. She's been stuck up there for almost an hour, he said. I've tried everything. Dazzle climbed the steps of the school bus and near the front sat a little girl in a pink jacket, holding on to her arms of her wheelchair.

2:07Her eyes were red from crying. Hi there, Dazzle sets offly kneeling down. I'm firefighter Dazzle. What's your name? Sally, the girl whispered. What's wrong Sally? Dazzle asked kindly. Sally sniffed. The ramp won't go down. I've been sitting here forever and all the other kids went to class an hour ago. Then she looked at the floor. They were staring at me. I feel embarrassed. Dazzle gently nodded. I'm sorry that happened. That can feel really heavy. Sally took a shaky breath and said, I go watch basketball practice every morning and today I missed it. Do you like basketball? Dazzle asked with a smile. I've always dreamed of playing basketball. Sally said, but I can't because I'm in a wheelchair. Dazzle's eyes softened.

3:07Oh, Sally, she said. Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't play sports. As Dazzle talked to Sally, the crew worked together. Forrest checked the controls. Red grabbed the tools and Izzy and Tom studied the ramp. Click, whirl, clunk, slowly the ramp lowered into place. We got it, red cold, the firefighters cheered softly. Dazzle guided Sally down the ramp, while Goose proudly walked beside them with his tail wagging. As they reached the ground, Sally looked up and said, thank you. Can I really play basketball, she asked? Of course you can, Dazzle Grand. Do you want to hear something amazing? Sally nodded. All of us firefighters play basketball in wheelchairs once a year to raise awareness to show other students what courage really looks like.

4:07Sally's mouth dropped open. You do? We sure do, Dazzle laughed. And let me tell you, it takes strength, teamwork, and every firefighter here today knows how much courage you have, Sally. Sally smiled. Even Goose tries to dribble, Forrest added with a chuckle. Goose barked proudly. There are athletes all over the world who play wheelchair basketball. Dazzle continued. Some of them are the fastest and strongest players you'll ever see. Sally's eyes sparkled. So I could play too? Absolutely, Dazzle said. Your wheelchair doesn't stop your dreams. It just makes you roll towards them in a different way. Sally had the biggest smile on her face she's had in a long time. Could we play up my school someday? She asked excitedly. Do you mean set up a wheelchair basketball game? Fire Chief Steve said.

5:08Yes, yes, yes, Sally laughed. We'll go talk to your principal right now and get that set up. We'll bring extra chairs and teach everyone how to play, Dazzle said, so everyone can learn that being different is actually pretty awesome. I feel so much better, Sally said. That's because you're so brave, Dazzle said softly and strong. And you can come by the far hole anytime after school and we'll practice taking shots with you. Sally sat up tall and proud. Dazzle reached into a side compartment and pulled out something soft and fluffy. It was a small stuffed goose. Sally's eyes widened. Is that goose? It sure is. We call them goose to trauma pop. She gently placed it in Sally's arms. This is a very special gift, Dazzle said softly. We give these two kids who show courage when things feel scary and hard.

6:11Sally hugged the little stuffy tight. He's so soft, she whispered. Dazzle leaned closer and there's something even more special about yours. She looked on the bottom of the stuffy and there was a tag with goose's paw print. He signed it just for you, Dazzle said, because goose thinks you're one of the bravest kids in Bark Mountain. Sally's mouth opened and surprised. He signed it? Goose bark proudly and gave Sally a gentle lick on the hand. Tears started to fill Sally's eyes again, but this time they were happy tears. I've never gotten something like this so special before, she said. You deserve it, Dazzle replied. Whenever you feel sad or nervous, just hug your goose stuffy and remember how brave you were today. Sally squeezed the stuffy tight. I will, she said with a smile. I will keep him with me always.

7:11Before she made her way into the school, Dazzle knelt down and gave her a big hug. By firefighter Sally said, As the trucks backed their way into the fire hall, they know this to be true. Helping someone isn't just about fixing what's broken. It's about reminding others how strong they are. No matter who or what your challenges are, you are brave and you are enough. And your dreams are meant to soar higher than your fear, stronger than your doubt, and farther than you ever imagined. Thank you for listening. Please check out GoosterFire.com for more stories and pictures. Every Sunday the crew gathers around for another tale from Bark Mountain. Please join us. Good morning, good day, good night little firefighters everywhere.

8:15Thank you very much.