Whatif and the Door Handle

Whatif and the Door Handle

This is Maya.

Maya loves drawing, soccer, and her cat, Pistache.

One morning at school, Maya touched the classroom door handle.

And a small voice popped up.

"What if your hands are dirty now? What if you get sick?"

That was Whatif. Whatif is a worry that talks way too loud.

So Maya washed her hands.

Whatif went quiet. Phew.

But at recess, Whatif came back. Louder.

"Did you wash long enough? Are you sure?"

Maya washed again. And again.

Every time Maya did what Whatif said, Whatif got a little bigger.

Soon Maya's hands were red and sore, and she was late for everything.

At bedtime, Maya told her dad.

"There's a voice that asks me questions. It won't stop."

Her dad gave her a big hug. "Thank you for telling me. We'll get help."

Maya and her dad went to see Sam. Sam's job is helping kids with worries like Whatif.

"Whatif only asks questions," said Sam. "It never knows anything. And it gets smaller when you wait."

Together, they made a ladder of brave steps.

The first step was tiny: touch a book, then wait a little before washing.

Whatif shouted: "What if? What if?! WHAT IF?!"

Maya's tummy felt funny. She took a big breath and said:

"Maybe. Maybe not. I can wait."

And she waited.

And then something surprising happened.

The funny feeling got smaller. And so did Whatif.

Step by step, Maya climbed her ladder.

Some days were hard. Some days were easy. Her dad and Sam cheered for every step.

One morning, Maya touched the classroom door handle.

"What if…?" whispered Whatif.

"Nice try, Whatif," said Maya. And she went to draw.

Whatif is still around sometimes.

But now it's very small, and Maya is the boss.

The end.

For grown-ups