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

CHAPTER 1: Trust Your Inner Compass

Jaden sat on his bed. He looked out the window at the Moon. It was big and bright in the sky.

He felt sad.

At school, some boys laughed at him. They said his shoes were old. They said he wasn’t cool.

Jaden liked his shoes. He enjoyed reading about space. He liked building rockets and dreaming about going to the Moon.

But now, he didn’t know what to do. Should he try to be like the other boys? Should he change?

He looked up at the Moon.

“I don’t know what to do,” Jaden whispered.

Suddenly, a soft light came into his room. It was silver and shiny. The light wrapped around him like a blanket.

Jaden felt himself float up, up, up.

He was going to the Moon!

When he landed, a tall man with gray locs stood there. He smiled big.

“Hello, Jaden,” the man said. “I’m Mr. Peters.”

Jaden looked around. The Moon was glowing. There were shiny rocks and floating books. It was amazing!

Mr. Peters could see Jaden’s face.

“You look worried,” Mr. Peters said kindly. “What’s wrong?”

Jaden sighed. “The kids at school laughed at me,” he said. “They said I’m not cool enough. I don’t know who to be.”

Mr. Peters smiled. “You already know who to be,” he said. “You just have to trust your Inner Compass.”

“My… Inner Compass?” Jaden asked.

“Yes,” said Mr. Peters. “It’s like a little voice inside you. It helps you know what’s right for you.”

Jaden listened.

“Sometimes people want you to change to fit in,” Mr. Peters said. “But your Inner Compass always shows the right way — your way.”

Jaden smiled a little.

“But what if they still laugh at me?” Jaden asked.

“Some people will,” Mr. Peters said. “But the ones who matter will see your light. You don’t have to hide who you are.”

The Moon glowed brighter. The soft light wrapped around Jaden again.

“Follow your Inner Compass,” Mr. Peters said. “It will never lead you wrong.”

The light carried Jaden back to his bed.

The next day at school, Jaden wore his old shoes. He carried his science book. He walked proudly.

The boys laughed again. But Jaden didn’t feel sad this time.

He trusted himself. He trusted his Inner Compass.

Affirmation:

“I follow my Inner Compass. I shine by being me.”

“I follow my heart. I trust myself.”

Activity:

Draw a picture of your Inner Compass. It can be a heart, a star, or anything you like. Inside it, write or draw something that makes you, YOU.