Tad of Courage

TA CHIA JIA LINGE

D OF COURA





For the ones that are always there, thank you
for your encourages & support! -C.J.L

Copyright ©️ 2021 CHIA JIA LIN
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

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without permission in writing from the publisher,
except by reviewers, who may quote brief
passages in a review.

TAD OF COURA GE

CHIA JIA LIN

Once there was a little girl, her name is Sunny.
Sunny didn’t like to interact with her peers
at school, so she is always alone.



During art class, Sunny’s teacher wanted
every student to describe their drawing

to their classmates.

All her classmates “ This is my happy family!
shared except Sunny. ”
“ This is m re playing!”
y best friends when we we

“ This is my sweetest pet!”

Everyone stared while waiting for a response but
Sunny struggled to speak. Deep inside her heart
there is a voice telling her, “If you say something,

you are going to make a fool of yourself ”.

Sunny felt embarrassed and
dashed out of the classroom.



She looked at her own drawing and thought
it’s awful. While she was about to throw it
into the bin, a hamster showed up.

“Is that your drawing?” the hamster asked.
“No, it’s not mine” Sunny replied.
“I think it’s a beautiful drawing!” the hamster marvelled.

“Is that so?” Sunny asked.

“Of course, come with me, by
the way I am Gus!” he added.



Gus showed Sunny the way and guided
her into a floral tunnel.

They passed by the sunflower patch,

smell the roses along the path,
and soon enough they reached Gus’ hut.

“Welcome to my home,” Gus cheered.

Sunny looked around,
there were paintings all over the walls,
paint brushes laying on the floor,
and colour splats all over.

“Ooh here, let me show you my
best work yet” Gus beamed.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” he added.

“You’re so silly” Sunny giggled.



Gus is excited to show others his newest artwork.
He held onto it and skipped out of his hut.
“Let’s go, Sunny!” he exclaimed.

Gus saw his neighbours and presented it to them.

“It’s an incredible piece!”
cheered Aunty May.

“Great job!” said Uncle Jon.

“That’s amazing!”
exclaimed Miss Nov.

On the way back, they saw
a poster. It is the annual art
competition in Hamster Ville.

“Shall we join in the fun?” asked Gus.
Sunny shook her head and sped back to the hut.

Gus sat beside Sunny and asked her if she was okay.
Sunny explained that it reminded her of the feeling
back in class. She is terrified of what others would
say of her drawing.

“Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, you just have to
take the first step out.” Gus replied.

Sunny smiled with teary eyes, with Gus’
encouragements she gave the competition a shot.

ComApnentuiatiloAnrt2s021 A
R
T
S

When they reached the event,
it was crowded. Sunny observed,

some hamsters were trembling,
some were jittery,

others seem calmed,
but Gus was just thrilled to be there.

“Da-dum”

The results were out, drums started rolling.
“Da-dum, da-dum”

First prize goes to, Grandpa Eric!
Second prize goes to, Sunny!

“Da-dum”

Annual Arts
Competition 2021

“Hooray!” Gus shouted.
Sunny was in disbelief while everyone cheered.

“I told you, you could do this!” exclaimed Gus.
Gus took out a badge and passed to Sunny.
“Just a little gift for you, hope it reminds you
of how amazing you are.” Said Gus
“I love it, thank you” replied Sunny.

Choo Station

Sunny bid goodbye.
Although Sunny got the second prize,
she learnt that she could not have done this without
a tad of courage and encouragements from Gus.

Sunny returned to her classroom and back to her seat.
Just then, a classmate came up to Sunny.
“May I look at your artwork?” asked her classmate.
Sunny take a deep breath and nodded.







Sunny loves drawing, but never shows them
to anyone as she has low self-esteem.

One day, a hamster named Gus takes her on
an adventure to teach her how to be more
confident. Journey with Sunny as she learns

to overcome her fears!