A boy is going to school. He struggles with not being the best and not making friends. He meets a girl who teaches him that he should just be himself.

A Boy Named "Best

Best standing at the school gate, looking nervous but excited, with the school building in the background

It was Best's first day at a new school. He felt nervous and excited at the same time. Best hoped to make lots of friends and be the best in his class. But deep inside, he worried if he could really be the best.

The First Day

Best sitting at his desk, looking thoughtful and slightly confused with a raised hand

In class, Best tried hard to answer all the questions. Sometimes he got them right, but sometimes he didn't. He noticed other kids answering questions too. Best started to feel like maybe he wasn't the best after all.

The Challenge

At recess, Best watched the other kids play. He wanted to join, but he was too shy to ask. Best felt very alone. He wished he had a friend.

Feeling Alone

Mei, a girl with medium brown hair, smiling and running on the playground with best

A girl with medium brown hair came over to Best. She smiled and asked if he wanted to play. Her name was Mei, and she was very kind. Best felt happy and not so alone anymore.

A New Friend

Best and the girl are running on the playground

Mei and Best played together. They laughed and had fun. Best realized that being the best wasn't as important as he thought. What mattered more was having fun and being happy.

Learning to Laugh

Best laughing with his hand raised in class, surrounded by classmates who are also smiling

The next day in class, Best raised his hand to answer a question. He got it wrong, but this time he laughed. Mei laughed with him, and so did some other kids. Best learned it's okay to make mistakes.

A Lesson Learned

Best surrounded by a group of friends, smiling and talking

Best started to make more friends. He learned that being himself was more important than being the best. His friends liked him for who he was. Best felt truly happy.

Becoming a Friend

Best sitting happily in class with friends, with the kind teacher smiling at him from the front of the classroom

Best no longer worried about being the best. He had friends, fun, and laughter. The teacher, a kind Latino woman, noticed how much Best had grown. Best realized the best thing to be was simply himself.