Story about fear: What does overcoming fear look like

Timmy and Jimmy both 9 years old loved playing the piano since they were very young. They both practiced hard and we’re getting better and better with each week passing. One day, their teacher had some exciting news. There was a concert coming up and they both had the opportunity to play in public for the first time. Timmy and Jimmy looked wide-eyed at each other with a mix of excitement and trepidation as they realized the opportunity they were presented with.

“What would it be like?” they wondered. In the weeks leading up to the performance, they practiced harder and perfected their pieces. Then the big day arrived. As they sat in the audience waiting for their name to be called, they were both extremely anxious thinking “What if I make a mistake in front of all of these people? What if I embarrass myself? What if everyone else is better than me?”

Then Jimmy’s name was announced. His mother looked at him with anticipation, but Jimmy just sank lower and lower in his seat. “Come on Jimmy, it’s your turn,” she said encouragingly. But he shook his head and refused to go up. His fear was just too great. The mother looked up at the stage and shrugged her shoulders at the teacher. The teacher announced that Jimmy wouldn’t be playing today.

Then the teacher moved to the next name on the list, “Timmy will now play for us.” Timmy was terrified. “Come on Timmy, it’s your turn,” his dad said. With a deep sigh, Timmy slowly made his way up to the piano on the stage. His legs and fingers were shaking. As he was playing he made a few uncharacteristic mistakes. In the end, he wanted to jump off the stage so quickly he almost forgot to bow. But he did it, he played the piano in front of an audience.

Timmy and Jimmy kept going to piano lessons and kept practicing hard. They were both improving at about the same rate and the teacher was pleased with their progress.

Then after a few months, the teacher made another announcement, that there would be another concert. Again, Timmy and Jimmy looked at each other with fear. When the time to perform came around again, Jimmy could not be dislodged from his seat in the audience, his fear won again. On the other hand, Timmy walked up on the stage with slightly more confidence than the first time.