THE LITTLE GIRL AT THE BUS STOP

It was still early when the sun began spreading a golden light across the almost empty street. At the bus stop, a little girl in a floral dress and a red backpack waited alone. The gentle breeze brushed through her dark hair as she held the straps of her backpack as if they were a hug.

Beginning — THE SILENCE OF THE MORNING
Sofia was only five years old, but she had already learned to be strong. Every day, her mother left for work before sunrise, and the neighbor, Mr. Roberto, accompanied her to the bus stop. But that morning, he didn’t show up. The girl kept looking down the street, trying to be brave, just like her mother told her to be.

Middle — THE GROWING FEAR
Cars passed far away. The bus was late. Her small heart beat faster. “What if the bus doesn’t come? What if I get lost?” she wondered. To seem braver, she tightened her backpack and stood on her tiptoes, as if that would help her see safety coming from afar.

Then she heard footsteps behind her.

— “Sofia?”

She slowly turned around. It was Mr. Roberto, breathless, holding onto his hat that was almost flying away.

— “I’m so sorry, sweetheart… my alarm didn’t go off today.”

The relief was so great that her eyes sparkled. She didn’t cry — she simply held his hand tightly when he reached her.

End — THE BUS AND THE SMILE
When the bus finally pulled up, she climbed the little steps carefully. Before getting in, she looked back and saw Mr. Roberto waving as the sunrise lit the street, making everything seem less frightening.

Sofia smiled.
It was just another day, but in that moment, she learned something important:
even when the world feels too big, there will always be someone who shows up — even late — to remind her she’s not alone.