A Crisis Of Courage
Dateline, Little Planet. Until yesterday, no one on the Little Planet had ever reported seeing a Bug-o-saur. Not a real, live one, anyway. Especially since Bug-o-saurs became extinct on the Little Planet millions of years ago, and nothing is left of them except a few old fossils.
All that changed yesterday when Happypotomus, a resident of the Old Swamp, reported that he had seen a Bug-o-saur disappear into the oldest part of the Old Swamp. Little Planet history books tell us that the Bug-o-saur was part firefly and part lizard, which makes Wongo a distant cousin (only he's not as cute). Bug-o-saurs, also called Blizzards, were huge creatures similar to dinosaurs on the Big Planet, but they were considered harmless and very, very shy. It is true, however, that Bug-o-saurs lived in swamps. Experts from all over the Little Planet came to the Old Swamp and searched every muddy inch, even the scary oldest part of the Old Swamp. They were brave! Not a trace of the alleged Bug-o-saur was found.
By nightfall, the experts had announced that the Bug-o-saur sighting must be false. Happypotomus insisted he really did see one, but this time, all the animals just laughed. For the first time in his memory, Happypotomus stopped smiling.
Happypotomus said to the reporter, "I know what I saw, but I hate being laughed at. Maybe I should pretend I was mistaken. Then maybe the animals will stop laughing at me. Then maybe I can begin to smile again."
Later, an unidentified friend of Happypotomus had this to say: "The loss of that warm, muddy smile would be a terrible blow to residents
of the Little Planet. And I believe him if he says he saw a Bug-o-saur." Then the friend quickly added: "But please don't use my name, because I'll be laughed at too. I'm afraid of what the animals will think."
What do you think Happypotomus should do? Should he say he was mistaken, even if he believes he really did see a Bug-o-saur? And what about his anonymous friend? Should she remain anonymous? What is the brave thing for each of them to do?
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