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“Mama, I don’t want to go.”
Kya stopped outside the open classroom door and knelt down. She smiled softly at her daughter and stroked her hair.
“I know it might seem a little scary at first, my love. But you’re going to have so much fun. Miss Kyoshi and Miss Rangi are very nice. Besides, look how many kids are here! So many new friends to play with.”
Katara peeked inside the room, already bustling with activity and noise.
She saw a girl in green waving around two yellow paper fans. Nearby, three girls dressed in various shades of red and pink were gathered in the corner. One of the girls, with a magenta skirt and a long braid down her back, tried to do a handstand, only to get pushed over by her friend with a dragon pin in her hair.
The girl laughed and pointed at her friend as the other girl started to cry.
Katara looked at her mother, tears welling in her eyes. She shook her head. “Wanna go home with you.”
Kya sighed. “Sweetie…”
“Pardon me, is this Miss Kyoshi’s class?”
Kya glanced back and saw an elderly man in dark gold robes and a scarlet sash draped across one shoulder. His head was shaven, but he had a drooping white mustache.
She quickly stood and bowed her head in respect, which Katara echoed.
“Yes, sir,” Kya said. “It is.”
“Thank you.” He had kind gray eyes, milky with age, and spoke in soft tones. “I am Monk Gyatso, and this is Aang.”
He stepped to the side to reveal a little boy clutching his long robes. “Say hello, Aang,” Gyatso said gently, nudging him to stand in front of him.
Aang had on simple orange garments, typically worn by a novice monk, plus a white crocheted cap with a blue arrow design.
“Hello,” Aang said in a tiny voice.
Kya smiled. “Hello. It’s lovely to meet you both. I’m Kya and this is my daughter, Katara.”
Katara gave a timid wave to Aang and Gyatso. “Hi.”
“We’re a little nervous for our first day,” Kya said, explaining why they were still standing in the hall.
“I understand,” Gyatso replied warmly. “Change is not always easy. But new experiences can also be exciting and are what helps us to grow and find our path.”
“That’s very wise,” Kya agreed. “What do you think, sweetie? Ready to go in now?”
Katara still hesitated, sparing a quick glance to the classroom and then back to Kya. “Um…”
Stepping forward, Aang stood in front of Katara and offered her a shy smile.
“Do you like animals? I do. Sky bison are my favorite.”
“I like otter-penguins,” Katara said, showing off a keychain of the aquatic creature that hung from her backpack.
Aang’s eyes widened in delight.
”Will you go penguin sledding with me?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Katara smiled at him and took his hand. “Yeah!”
She turned to Kya. “Can I go play with Aang?”
Kya chuckled and bent to kiss her forehead. ”Yes, of course. Have fun, okay? I love you.”
“Bye, G’atso!” Aang said, waving to the elder monk with his free hand.
The pair then marched into the classroom together without so much as a backwards glance.
Kya watched as Katara and Aang made their way to the toy bin and pulled out an oversized stuffed otter-penguin, which they promptly sat on and pretended they were speeding down a snowy hill, whooping with laughter. She wiped a tear from her eye. It was a bittersweet feeling to see her little girl growing up so fast.
“The beginning of something new is always a challenging endeavor,” Gyatso said. The lines on his weathered face deepened when he smiled. “But your little one will be alright, dear. I’m sure of it.”
Kya nodded, grateful for his comforting words. “Thank you, sir.”
Taking one final look into the classroom, she saw that Katara and Aang had moved on to playing tag with a boy who had colored half his face in red marker.
For the first time that morning, Kya could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She was thankful for Gyatso and Aang’s kindness and welcoming spirit. Now that Katara had found a friend, Kya knew that she would be just fine.