I Can't Do It
Friends help a scared runner
As the race came closer, I felt more .
One evening, I could not sleep at all.
"I can't do it," I whispered in the dark.
"I can't carry the whole team on my back."
The next day, I almost stayed home from practice.
But my teammates were waiting for me at the gate.
"We know you can do this," Ken said .
"You can run farther than you think," he added.
Mei, our second runner, held my hand tightly.
"I can't run fast, but I can run beside you," she said.
"You can always count on your team," Mei smiled.
Then Daiki arrived slowly on his .
"I can't run in this race," he said quietly.
"But you can run for both of us, Sora."
His words filled my heart with new .
"You can't win , and you don't have to," he said.
I looked at all their kind and faces.
Slowly, my fear became a small warm fire.
"I can try," I said in a shaking voice.
"Yes, you can, and we can help you," they cheered.
That night, I could finally sleep in peace.
I still felt , but I was not .
My team could carry my fear, and I could carry their .