Mr. Peters’ Moonlight Lessons: A Journey of Light, Love, and Belonging by Jodye Austin Gaines - HTML preview

CHAPTER 10: You Belong Everywhere You Go

Kai sat in the back of the classroom. It was his first day at a new school.

The other kids talked and laughed. They all seemed to know each other.

Kai felt alone. His skin was darker than most of the kids there. His hair was different, too.

He wondered, Do I belong here?

That night, Kai looked at the Moon. It glowed bright above the houses.

Suddenly, soft silver light filled his room. It wrapped around him like a hug.

Kai floated up, up, up… to the Moon.

When he landed, Mr. Peters was waiting, smiling warmly.

“Hello, Kai,” Mr. Peters said. “Feeling out of place?”

Kai nodded. “I’m new at school,” he said softly. “I look different. I don’t feel like I belong.”

Mr. Peters pointed to the Moon. “See that?” he asked. “The Moon moves through the sky every night. It shines in different places—but it always belongs.”

Kai looked up. The Moon glowed proudly over the stars.

“You belong wherever you go,” Mr. Peters explained. “Your skin, your hair, your heart— they are beautiful. You have every right to shine.”

Kai smiled a little.

“The world needs your light,” Mr. Peters added. “Never hide who you are.”

The soft silver light wrapped around Kai.

“Be proud,” Mr. Peters whispered. “You belong everywhere you go.”

The light carried Kai back home.

The next day, Kai walked into school. He held his head high. His curls bounced as he smiled.

He belonged here—and everywhere.

Affirmation:

“I belong everywhere I go. My light is welcome here.”

“I belong. I am proud of who I am.”

Activity:

Write or say out loud one reason why you belong at school, at home, or anywhere you go. You bring your own light.