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Afraid, Not!

Album: 20: A Journey of Choices

Episode: 261

Lesson/Theme: Conquering fear.

Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:10

Characters: Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: February 26, 1994

Last Air Date: January 23, 2009

Description:
Danny Schmidt doesn't want to go to school today, or any other day, for that matter. He puts up a huge fuss, but his parents inform him that he is going. Danny reluctantly rises, gets dressed, and leaves. Later, at school, Danny's teacher, Mr. Richards, dismisses the class for recess, everyone except for Danny. Mr. Richards wants to know why Danny is wearing sunglasses. Danny hems and haws and finally reveals that the glasses are covering up an enormous bruise. Danny is sent to the nurse, and his mother is called. Finally, everyone gets to the root of the problem: Danny is being chased and beaten up by a female bully. That part of the problem is solved quickly, thanks to a phone call from the Odyssey police to the girl's parents. Unfortunately, Danny's fear of walking to school continues, to the point where he almost has a heart attack when Whit runs into him on the way home from school. Danny explains his problem to Whit. He offers a wonderful solution: memorizing a scripture verse. Danny feels better. The next morning, he has an opportunity to try out his new "weapon." Rusty tries to bully him out of his lunch money, and Danny fairly shouts the verse at Rusty. Rusty cowers and runs in the face of the Word, providing Danny with proof about where the source of true courage lies.

Questions:
Why didn't Danny want to tell anyone what happened to him? Why was Danny so afraid, even after the police had taken care of everything? Where does real courage come from?