J WRITTEN BY Bethany PLeas ILLUSTRATED BY jADA aKOTO nARRATED BY jASMINE gRAHAM
In honor of the National Day of Service on January 18, 2016, Memphis Challengers created “Tell Me a Story: Service Through Storytelling.” Through this project, 62 Memphis Challengers in grades 9-12 wrote and produced specialized storybooks and poems for children. The project aimed to bring smiles, excitement and the love of storytelling to children, as well as enrich the process of using creativity to give back for Memphis Challenge students. Learn more about The Memphis Challenge at www.memphischallenge.org.
Copyright ©2016 Memphis Challenge Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address The Memphis Challenge, 516 Tennessee St., Suite 129, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. First Edition | Printed in the USA ISBN 978-1-944843-03-8
“Jared’s Strength” Written by Bethany Pleas (11th Grader, Germantown High School) Illustrated by Jada Akoto (11th Grader, White Station High School) Narrated by Jasmine Graham (11th Grader, Houston High School) Funded by a generous grant from the Hyde Family Foundations and FedEx Special thanks to the Project Production Team – Heather Bruce, Cierra Burnett, Avery Cunningham, Jamien Sills, Lisa Smith, McKenzii Webster, Christa Wininger and Cassandra Webster, Executive Director – for your expertise, commitment, vision and leadership. Parents and guardians thank you for your trust and support.
WRITTEN BY BETHANY PLEAS ILLUSTRATED BY JADA AKOTO NARRATED BY JASMINE GRAHAM
Jared’s Strength
P U B L I C AT I O N S Memphis
There once was a boy named
Jared
.
He was just like any other 10-year-old boy. He loved to play videos games and hang out with his friends. Jared was just like any
other boy except ...
He had
super
strength.
Jared didn’t have the kind of strength
that Superman and Spiderman have; Jared had an inner
strength stronger
than anyone else around.
J
Jared had been through a lot in his 10 years of life. His parents separated when he was seven and were in the process of getting a divorce. He had also been bullied at school for years
because he was shorter than all the kids in his class. The bullies also tried to steal the overnight bag that he has to bring to school when he switches between his mom and dad’s house. The bullying had gotten
so bad that Jared didn’t even want to attend school anymore.
HAHA
HAHA
HAHA
A H HA
On the day that his parents had to go to court to officially get divorced, Jared was staying at his grandmother’s house. The two were watching old super
hero cartoons on her TV.
Even with all the bad things that were happening to Jared, this was happiest he had been all week.
“Grandma,” Jared said, “I wish I were strong like these guys.” “Why Jared you already are as strong as all of them combined,” replied his grandmother. “But everyone at school says I’m weak,” Jared said sadly. “That’s because you haven’t shown them
how much strength you have,” replied his grandmother.
“Grandma I don’t have any strength,” Jared said as he held up his thin arms to show her his lack of muscle. “Oh no no,” Grandma laughed. “I’m not talking about physical. I’m talking about
inner
strength.”
“What?” Jared asked confused. “I’m talking about the strength you have here,” Grandma said, pointing to his heart.
“You are one of the strongest boys I’ve known right here.
You can fight
away any bad guy by using your inner strength.”
“But what is inner strength, Grandma?” asked Jared.
J
“Inner strength is the courage that you have that allows you to be strong even when you may be physically weak. When you have inner strength, you can stand
up to any bully with your words,
and you can overcome any situation,” explained Grandma. “How do you know that I have this strength?” Jared inquired. “Remember when your parents separated, Jared?” Grandma asked. “Well, while they were getting divorced you were really strong; instead of getting sad, you handled
the situation better than anyone could have expected.”
“But how is that showing strength?” Jared asked, confused. “Like right now. Your parents are in court getting divorced and your life is about to change forever. A lot of kids your age would break down and be upset, but you are still being the happy little boy we all know.” Grandma explained. “How do I bring out my inner
strength right now though?” asked Jared.
“You just have to believe
in yourself, Jared.”
Grandma said. “Tell you yourself you are strong and you can do anything, and you will be able to.” “I think I understand,” Jared said. “Thank
you, Grandma.”
j
J
The next day, Jared decided to try out his inner strength on the bullies at school. When Bob and Larry came to take his bag, he turned to them and said in a loud and strong
“NO
voice,
, you will not take my things anymore.
I am tired of you treating me this way and it stops now!” The two bullies were startled by Jared’s sudden burst of strength and backed
away.
gIVE US YOUR LUNCH MONEY, JARED!
nO! yOU wILL nOT tAKE mY FOOD ANYMORE.
THIS STOPS NOW!
Later that day during recess, Jared’s friends asked him how he managed to make the bullies leave without
fighting them.
Jared responded by saying, “Well you know guys, there are two kinds strength: the one on the outside and the one that comes from within.
All of us have that kind of strength, we just have to find it
within ourselves.�
IF IT IS IN HIMSELF, HE wILL FIND THE STRENGTH HE NEEDS
j