Volume Two, Chapter 16
Colonel Mustard's Common Sense Condiment:
Cops, Kindergarteners, and the Fear Factor—Why Sometimes the Littlest Things Are the Scariest
Good morning, Waterford! Colonel Mustard here, ready to serve up some common sense with a side of reality and a splash of humor. Today, we're diving into fear—the sneaky little beast that doesn't care how big, tough, or "official" you are. Sometimes, it's the smallest things that pack the biggest punch.
When the Littlest Things Loom Largest
You'd think cops, with their badges and radios, would be the scariest things a kindergartener faces. But nope. It's often the tiniest details—the loud voice, the flashing lights, or just the idea of "authority" itself—that send little kids into full-on panic mode.
I've seen it myself at Waterford Elementary's "Officer Safety Day." The officers come in, all serious and official, trying to teach safety. But the kids? They're staring wide-eyed at the uniform, clutching their backpacks like life rafts. The fear factor isn't about crime or danger—it's about the unknown, the unfamiliar, and sometimes just the sheer size of the world around them.
Fear Is a Universal Equalizer
Here's the ugly truth: fear doesn't discriminate. It hits cops, kids, and grown-ups alike. The difference is how we handle it. A cop might face down a dangerous suspect with a steady hand, but still feel a knot in their stomach when they see a scared kid trembling in the hallway.
Kindergarteners don't need lectures on bravery. They need someone who understands that fear is real, that it's okay to be scared, and that courage is showing up anyway—even if you're shaking.
Real Courage Is Showing Up
Let me lay down some Colonel Mustard common sense: courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the decision to show up, to face the small and big fears alike. Whether it's a cop kneeling down to tie a child's shoe or a kindergartener raising their hand despite trembling lips, that's the stuff heroes are made of.
The Takeaway
So next time you see a little one freeze up or an officer soften their tone, remember: sometimes the littlest things are the scariest. And the real heroes? They're the ones who show up anyway, with kindness, patience, and a little bit of common sense.
Parody Song:
"Better at Decisions"
(To the tune of "Bad Boys" — the Cops TV show theme)
Better at decisions, yes we are,
Facing fears, no matter how far.
Strength in numbers, that's the key,
Together we stand, brave and free.
When the small things scare, and the world feels large,
We show up steady, we take charge.
Better at decisions, yes we are,
From kindergartners to the local sheriff's car.
It's not about being fearless, that's just a myth,
It's showing up anyway, that's the gift.
Better at decisions, yes we are,
Courage doesn't come with a shiny star.
So when the littlest things make you freeze,
Remember, real strength is the choice to be.
Colonel Mustard's Clue:
Fear is universal. Courage is choosing to face it, no matter your size. And sometimes, strength in numbers—and kindness—gets you farther than bravado ever will.