Trex, the Traveling Dino Discovers Special Olympics

[Starts with Grayson in the cafeteria and he sees a little boy in a wheelchair sitting at a table by himself]

Grayson walks into the cafeteria carrying his tray full of spaghetti and a big chocolate chip cookie he was so excited to eat first. He looks around the cafeteria for his friends when he notices in the corner of the cafeteria a little boy in a wheelchair sitting by himself.  He thought to himself, he must be new so he walked over to say hi to him.  

“Hi, I’m Grayson, are you new here?” asked Grayson.  

There was silence for a few seconds and the little boy answered, “Hi, I’m Philip.  I am new here.  We just moved here two weeks ago.” 

“You are going to love it here, have you tried the chocolate chip cookies yet?” He asked.   

“I haven’t, are they good?”

“They are the best.” Grayson said as he sat down,  he handed him his cookie.  “Here you have to try it, Mrs. Singleton makes them extra chippy”  

Philip took a bite and immediately smiled and exclaimed, “You are right, these are delicious!”

“When it comes to cookies, I will let you know where you can find the best.” Grayson told him, and then looked at his wheelchair and asked, “Can I ask you about your wheelchair?”

Philip frowned a little and then said. “I was born without feeling in my legs so I can’t walk.”  

“Not even a little bit?.” asked Grayson. “So if I would punch your leg right now you wouldn’t feel it?”

This made Philip laugh, “Nope, not even a little bit, want to try?” 

Grayson looked around and saw Mrs. Singleton looking at them smiling so he said, “I probably shouldn’t Mrs. Singleton is looking at us.  Maybe at recess.”  

Just then Grayson’s best friend Mikey walked over and asked Grayson, “Want to play basketball with us?”  

“Yes!” Grayson said excitedly and then introduced them, “Mikey this is Philip.” 

“Hi!” Philip said.

“Hi, come on Grayson let’s go play!”  Mikey said.

Grayson looked at Philip wondering what to do because he didn’t want to leave his new friend, but really wanted to play basketball.  

Philip could tell Grayson really wanted to play basketball so he said, “Go, I will meet you out there.” 

“Ok,” Grayson said as he picked up his lunch and walked to throw it away.  When he looked behind him he could see Philip frowning down at his food.  Grayson felt sad for his new friend.

 [This page will show Grayson back at home on his bed sitting next to Trex]

“Trex, I met a new friend today and was wondering if you could help me.” He asked his stuffy.  

Just then Grayson felt a gush of wind and he knew his best buddy Trex had come to life again.  He hugged his stuffy and said, “I’m so glad you’re here!”

“Tell me about your new friend.” said Trex excited to hear about his new friend.

“His name is Philip and he just moved here two weeks ago.  I introduced him to Mrs. Singleton’s chocolate chip cookies.” said Grayson.

“Did he love them as much as you do?”

“He did! There is one thing about Philip that has me sad and filled with questions.” Grayson told Trex

“What’s that?”

“He’s in a wheelchair and can’t walk.  He looked so sad when I left to play basketball. It’s unfair that he can’t play with us.” Grayson said heartbroken for his new friend.  

“Did you ask him to play?” asked Trex

“Of course not, he can’t walk.” Grayson exclaimed and was wondering if Trex was listening to him. 

“Come with me!” Trex said as he jumped into Grayson’s arms. 

[this page will show the tornado]

[next page will show Grayson and Trex standing on the sidelines a huge basketball gym]

“Trex, why are we here?” Grayson asked, looking around and seeing the stands filled with people. 

“You’ll see in a minute.” answered Trex.

Grayson’s eyes widened at that moment when he saw a group of boys and girls in wheelchairs coming onto the court in basketball uniforms.  The crowd started to go wild as they came in super fast and rolled around the court throwing the basketball.  

“Wow!” Grayson exclaimed, “Are these boys and girls getting ready to play basketball in their wheelchairs?” 

“Yes, this is called the Special Olympics, where boys and girls who are unable to walk, talk, or have an intellectual disability can come together through the power of sports to help them.” Trex explained to Grayson. 

“This is so cool, look at them, they are playing their hearts out.” Grayson said with awe in his voice.  

“So you see, people like Philip can play all kinds of sports. Come on, let me show you more outside.” Trex said as he started to walk outside. 

When they walked outside there were people everywhere.  There were some down on the field running, some were jumping, and some were throwing balls as far as they could.  

“There are all kinds of people, Grayson, some with Down Syndrome, some with Autism, and some who can’t talk or walk, but just like you, they want to have fun and participate in sports.” 

“Thank you Trex, for bringing me here. This is the happiest place I’ve ever been.  There are so many smiles.” said Grayson

“Always remember what your mom says, “Everyone is wonderfully created with a purpose and a gift and this is theirs.  God made us all different and we are created to love everyone.”  Trex said as he jumped into Grayson's arms.  Grayson hugged him close as they traveled back to his bedroom.  

“Let’s go see if Philip wants to play basketball,” said Grayson as he jumped off his bed.  

This next page will show them at recess all playing basketball.  

The End!