The Magic Toad

The playground was quiet today as Laney sat by herself on the swing set feeling lonely. A little toad hopped along side her and stopped in front of her.
'Hello there little toad.' Laney said trying to produce a smile. 'You are lucky little toad. I wish I could hop away from here.' She began to fight back tears.
'Why the tears little one' she heard someone croak.
Laney looked at her feet and saw the toad's glossy eyes staring up at her. She looked from side to side seeing no one near her, all the other children playing on the playground far away. 'Who is there? Come out. What an awful joke to play.' Wiping her eyes she saw as the toad began to speak, 'little one what has made you feel so sad?'
'I feel so dumb, that I don't belong.'
'Why?'
'I tried making jokes and the other kids stared at me blankly. I felt so dumb. So I ran over to the swings to be by myself.'
'It must feel lonely over here by yourself.'
'It is'
'Why not rejoin the others?'
'I can't I'm too afraid'
'Well it just so happens I'm a magic toad and I am here to help.'
Laney brightened a bit, 'you are?'
'I am,' the toad began to glow, 'and with my magic I will help you to be brave. All you have to do is say, "I am fearless."'
Laney looked suspicious, 'that's all?'
'And believe it. That's what the magic is for, it will help you believe you are fearless. But soon the magic will wear off and you will have to believe on your own.'
'I believe' Laney stood up, 'I am fearless!' She began to glow, turning to the toad she whispered, 'thank you toad.' As she skipped to the playground.