Andrew Balkcom - Be Strong Fight Against Fear

AuthorHouse 1663 Liberty Drive Bloomington, IN 47403 www.authorhouse.com Phone: 1-800-839-8640 2013 Andrew Balkcom. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author. Published by AuthorHouse 5/6/2013 ISBN: 978-1-4817-5123-0 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-4817-5124-7 (e) Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908329 Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery Thinkstock. Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
For my loving daughters, Sydney & Dalaysia, Daddy loves you very much! My wish for all children out there in our world is for them to remember to have Courage , Be Strong , and Fight Against Fear . The story begins with Andrew the Catlying in the sun, in his backyard on a hot summer day. Having just finished a game of basketball with his Father, Andrew took off his favorite T-shirt to cool down. As he lies there resting and watching birds fly above, the meanest dog in the neighborhood storms through his fence towards him. Fear was his name, though he wasnt very fearful at all.

Fear, a German Shepherd just looked mean and tough, because hes so big and tall. As he approaches, Andrew watches him closely. Andrews eyes never leave Fears face. Hello Andrew, Fear said. This was not like Fear to greet others so nicely. Andrew politely responds for he wants no trouble.

Hello! Standing over him, pretending to be nice while looking at Andrews cool stuff on the ground, Fear says Look at the sun! Isnt it beautiful? Now, everybody knows not to look directly at the Sun; but to make nice, Andrew turns his head to look in its direction anyway. It blinds him for a moment. Andrew smiles as he turns back to respond to Fear, but Fear wasnt there. Fear had disappeared. Weird Andrew thought. He shrugged his shoulders and rolled back over.

As he curled into a ball to watch the birds some more and take a catnap, he noticed that his favorite Be Strong T-shirt had gone missing. Andrew knew it wasnt in the house because he had left with it on that morning. Looking around his yard, he remembered he took the shirt off while playing basketball with his Dad. Aww, Man! Now he cant return to catnapping and bird watching. He must find his shirt! Andrew sat up! Stretched and left his house to go look for it? He goes next door to the old grumpy Hawk, Swishs house, whos always threatening to snatch up anyone who crosses his path. He sees Swish sitting on his fence post.

LEAVE NOWbefore I have you as my lunch, Swish threatens! But Andrew ignores Swishs threats, and asks, Have you seen my favorite Be Strong T-shirt? No, I have not seen your favorite T-shirt you puny critter. NOW LEAVE! Swish demands. His piercing dark brown eyes stare at Andrew as he exits. Upset with Swishs lack of cooperation, Andrew does as hes told. He then crosses the street and walks towards Burden, the Raccoons house. He doesnt see Burden outside playing, so he knocks on his front door.

Burden opens the door and hisses at Andrew, looking him up and down. Hey Burden, Andrew asks timidly. Have you seen my favorite T-Shirt. MAYBE! MAYBE NOT, yells Burden! He must be in a bad mood today Oh well, thats every day, Andrew thinks to himself. No I have not seen your shirt, Burden hisses again and orders Andrew to leave. Andrew frowns and continues on to find his shirt.

He heads to Burdens next door neighbor, Sassy the Skunks house. Sassy is outside her house lying down, sipping lemonade. Andrew knocks on her fence and asks if he may enter. He tries to be very polite to girls in his neighborhood. Enter, Sassy says in a very sassy voice. She hates to be bothered.

Hey Sassy, whats up! Im asking people in the neighborhood if theyve seen my favorite Be Strong T-shirt. Really! Are you asking me if I STOLE your shirt. Sassy says. No. Andrew says. He thinks Sassy is a little coo-coo sometimes.

I said nothing about stealing . Look Cat! Why would I want to take your favorite T-shirt? Im too busy smelling myself and resting, says Sassy in an annoyed tone. And earlier I was here at home painting my nails so no I havent seen your stupid shirt. Okay! Thank You, Andrew says as he leaves really annoyed that Sassy was choosing to BE so annoying. While crossing the street, he sees his best friend Robin. Most of the animals in his neighborhood think it is strange that hes friends with a bird that most cats would eat for dinner.

But not him! Andrew loves Robin. Hed never eat his friend. Hello Robin, Andrew sighs, as he takes a rest from looking for his T-shirt. Robin, worried about her friend, flies up to branch directly above Andrews head. Afraid of what might happen to fall from Robin being directly above him, Andrew moves over a little to stay clear of any incoming surprises. Hi Andrew, How are you? You look upset, The little bird says.

Yes, Robin I cant find my favorite T-shirt. Im afraid someone took it. Have you seen it, Andrew asks looking up at his best friend? Robin scratches the top of her small head with one of her wings. Hmm, Im not sure if Ive seen your favorite T-Shirt today. I do have small beady eyes you know! Robin says jokingly. The little bird thinks some more.

Its possible I may have seen something. Is it white, with the Be Strong, Fight Against Fear logo on the back? Yes, yes, yes, Andrew says the best T-shirt ever and its lost. Ah-Ha! It may not be lost after all. I did see Fear running with something! I cant promise its what you are looking for? Robin says. My favorite T-shirt!!! Youve seen it, Andrew chuckles. Thanks! Andrew smiles as he waves bye to Robin and heads to Fears house.

Fear was the #1 suspect, but Andrew didnt want to assume it to be true. As he heads towards Fears section of the neighborhood to confront him, he passes a tall thick tree that he had not seen before. Its was being guarded by a black Great Dane, with a sign that says, NO CATS ALLOWED in this area Only the strong animals such as Swish, Sassy, and Burden are allowed. But Andrew keeps walking. He doesnt believe in this rule or the stupid sign! He believes that cats are just as strong as dogs and other animals like Swish. The Great Dane gives a big loud bark, but Andrew keeps walking.