What Should I Do When I'm Scared?
Fear & Bravery
Episode 9: What Should I Do When I'm Scared?
Fear & Bravery • Age 13
1
Daughter
Dad, I'm scared.
Dad
About what, sweetheart?
Daughter
Everything. School, friends, the future. What if I mess it all up?
Dad
Come here.
Scene: Living room, late evening. Daughter curled up on couch.
2
Dad
When I was your age, I was terrified of the high dive at the pool.
Daughter
The high dive? That's not scary.
Dad
Oh, it was for me. I'd climb up, look down, and climb right back down.
Daughter
Every time?
Dad
For an entire summer. Kids would laugh. I felt like such a coward.
Scene: Flashback: Young Dad at top of high dive, frozen with fear.
3
Dad
One day, this girl I liked was watching. I climbed up, determined to finally do it.
Daughter
Did you jump?
Dad
Nope. Climbed down again. She laughed with everyone else.
Daughter
Oh no...
Dad
I went home and cried. Told Grandpa I was never going back to that pool.
Scene: Young Dad climbing down, kids pointing and laughing.
4
Grandpa
You know what brave means?
Young Dad
Not being scared?
Grandpa
Nope. Being scared and doing it anyway.
Young Dad
But I didn't do it!
Grandpa
You climbed up there, didn't you? That took guts.
Scene: Porch, sunset. Grandpa and young Dad with lemonade.
5
Grandpa
Let me tell you about your Great-Uncle Frank.
Young Dad
The war hero?
Grandpa
That's what everyone calls him. You know what he told me?
Young Dad
What?
Grandpa
He said he was terrified every single day. Threw up before every mission.
Scene: Grandpa looking serious, young Dad listening intently.
6
Grandpa
But he did it anyway. Not because he wasn't scared. Because his friends needed him.
Young Dad
So being brave means being scared?
Grandpa
Being brave means feeling the fear and not letting it stop you.
Young Dad
What if I can't do that?
Grandpa
Then you try again tomorrow. And the day after. Until one day, you can.
Scene: Grandpa showing old photo of Uncle Frank.
7
Daughter
Did you ever jump off the high dive?
Dad
Yeah. Two weeks later.
Daughter
What changed?
Dad
I realized something. The fear wasn't going away. I had to jump WITH the fear, not without it.
Scene: Back to present, Dad with arm around daughter.
8
Dad
So I climbed up, my legs shaking, my heart pounding. And I jumped.
Daughter
How did it feel?
Dad
Terrifying! The whole way down I was screaming.
Daughter
*laughing* Really?
Dad
Like a little girl. But when I hit the water? I felt like I could do anything.
Scene: Flashback: Young Dad mid-jump, mouth open in a scream.
9
Daughter
But what if I'm scared of things I can't control?
Dad
Like what?
Daughter
Like... what if something bad happens? What if I lose someone I love?
Dad
That's the hardest fear. Because it's real.
Scene: Daughter looking vulnerable, Dad holding her close.
His heart clenches. If only she knew how much he shares that fear.
10
Dad
You know what I do when I'm scared of losing someone?
Daughter
What?
Dad
I love them harder. Right now. In this moment.
Daughter
Does that make the fear go away?
Dad
No. But it makes the love bigger than the fear.
Scene: Dad looking at daughter with intense love.
He memorizes her face, this moment, everything. Just in case.
11
Daughter
So I just... live with being scared?
Dad
You live DESPITE being scared. You do the things that matter anyway.
Daughter
Like you jumping off the high dive?
Dad
Exactly. And like you going to school tomorrow, even though you're anxious.
Daughter
I can do that.
Scene: Daughter sitting up straighter, looking determined.
12
Dad
You know what the bravest thing you've ever done is?
Daughter
What?
Dad
Telling me you're scared. That takes real courage.
Daughter
I love you, Dad.
Dad
I love you too, sweetheart. So much.
Scene: They hug tightly.
He holds her like he'll never let go. Because someday, he'll have to.