Today was the School Service Day, and Maya's class was going on a trip to a living centre called Hazel Grove.
It was also the first day for Maya to wear her leg brace* to school. Walking to school with her dad, Maya couldn't help looking down at1brace. In order to fit the brace inside, the left shoe she wore was much2than the right. She had already decorated the brace by drawing a pretty flower on it,3she didn't know how to mention the brace to others. She felt quite unsure about what others would think of the4.
As expected, all morning at school, kids kept5the brace until the teacher made them pair up to visit the people in Hazel Grove. Maya's friend Samir came to join her. "6did you wear that?" he pointed at the brace. Maya had no idea about what to say, so she pretended she had heard7.
That afternoon, Maya and Samir visited a 103-year-old woman who was in a wheelchair. It was hard to believe such an old lady could be so8. She cheerfully moved forward and greeted them, "I'm Joan. It's so nice of you to see me!"
9by her warm words, Maya bravely asked, "What's it like being in a wheelchair?"
"It offers the10to get around freely," Joan answered. She seemed excited to11her great helper, "Would you like to see how fast I can go in this thing?" Right then, she12went across the room. Then she turned around and moved back.
"You see?" There was13in her voice.
It was true. Joan went so fast in her wheelchair.
On her way back home with Samir that day, Maya decided to14,"This brace makes my foot up and keeps me steady* when I'm walking."
"Really?" Samir cried, "That's cool!"
Hearing the words, Maya's face lit up. Right at the moment, she felt so15walking in her new brace.
