In a quiet stream lived a little fish named Leo. Leo was curious and dreamy, always watching from a distance the big river that flowed past the place where he lived. He had heard many stories about the river: they told of its deep waters, its strong currents, and the adventures that awaited there.

«I want to explore the big river!» Leo thought every day. However, his friends and family always warned him of the danger. «The river is very treacherous,» his mother told him. «It’s better to stay here in our stream, where it’s safe!» his friends repeated.

One day, Leo could no longer contain his curiosity. «If I never try, I’ll never know what’s beyond,» he told himself. So, with determination, he headed towards the edge of the stream, where the big river began. The water was clear, but the current was much stronger than Leo imagined. He took a deep breath and swam towards the river.

At first, everything seemed manageable. Leo swam excitedly, watching big and small fish dart past him. Soon, however, the current became stronger. Leo began to struggle to stay in the right direction. “I can do it!” he repeated to himself over and over, trying not to give in to fear.

As he struggled, Leo heard a deep voice coming from a nearby rock. It was Don Samuel, an old fish who had seen many youngsters try and fail. “What are you doing here, little one?” he asked in a deep voice. “The river is not a place for small, inexperienced fish.”

Leo, exhausted but still determined, replied, “I want to be brave and prove that I can explore the river.” Don Samuel looked at him seriously and said, “Being brave doesn’t mean ignoring danger. Sometimes, true bravery is knowing when it’s best to wait or turn back.”

Leo kept thinking about those words, but his desire to continue exploring still pushed him forward. He tried to swim a little further, but the currents became stronger, dragging him into turbulent waters. Just as he was about to lose control, Don Samuel caught up with him and guided him back to a calmer part of the river.

Exhausted, Leo realized that his strength was not enough to face the great river. He felt a little sad for not having accomplished his goal, but Don Samuel’s words echoed in his mind.

“Being brave also means knowing when to be cautious, when to wait, and when to learn to try at the right time,” Don Samuel told him with a kind smile.

Leo returned to his stream, and although some of his friends made jokes, he felt differently. He had learned an important lesson, and instead of regretting it, he decided to train himself and become stronger. He knew that one day, when he was ready, the great river would await him for new adventures, and this time he would be able to face it with wisdom and experience.

Over time, Leo became more skillful and self-confident. I no longer felt like I had to prove anything to others, because I had learned that bravery was not just about facing danger, but about making decisions with responsibility and self-respect.