Doris Loved to Fly – Short Story on Courage
Doris is terrified of flying, a fear that keeps her grounded in her small Iowa town. In this short story on courage, will she find the courage to spread her wings, or will her dreams never take flight? Read Feel-Good Stories by Jack and Kitty for free every weekday.
Doris Loved to Fly – Short Story on Courage
Doris sat on her living room couch in a small town in Iowa, flipping through an old family scrapbook with her mom. Living with dreams bigger than her fears, she yearned for adventure, to see the world beyond her small town. As they paged through the old photographs, Doris listened to her mother recount tales of traveling the globe with baby Doris.
“Doris, you loved to fly!” her mom laughed, a warm smile of nostalgia lighting her face. “When it was time to take you off that plane, you didn’t want to leave. We even bought you a little pilot cap that you’d wear.”
Her mom handed her a faded photograph showing Doris in the cockpit as a small toddler, smiling broadly with her little hand on the panel’s knobs.
“Your father swore you’d grow up to be a pilot. I guess it was a phase you grew out of,” her mom reflected.
“I guess so,” Doris sighed, pondering why she was now afraid to do the things she loved as a child. Doris realized that as she grew older, playing it safe had become a habit. She longed to be that carefree young child again, but she didn’t know how.
Doris wanted to fly again. But how could she fly, now that she had developed a crippling fear of heights? Doris longed to rediscover that fearless child within her.
One sunny afternoon, as Doris lifted her dog Skittles into the air, she pondered, “Maybe I’m thinking too big. What if I start small?” Skittles wagged his tail enthusiastically as if agreeing with her plan.
Doris began her journey of overcoming her fear, but it was tougher than she thought. Standing on a friend’s balcony, she froze, unable to look down. She tried standing on her coffee table, surrounded by pillows, but it didn’t feel like flying. It felt like standing on a table.
Then, Doris stumbled upon an advertisement in the newspaper: “Join the Face Your Fears Club!” it read. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, she decided to give it a try.
The club was a diverse group, each member with their unique fear. There was Sam, who was terrified of public speaking, and Maria, who couldn’t bear the thought of snakes. Together, they supported each other. Doris felt a sense of camaraderie she hadn’t known before.
They tackled each fear one by one. Doris cheered on Sam as he delivered a speech at the local university, and she even held a snake with Maria trembling by her side. Each victory felt like it was her own.
Then, the day arrived. It was Doris’s turn to fly. The club had pooled their frequent flyer miles for a trip to Nashville. The night before the flight, Doris couldn’t sleep. She called the club’s president, Leo, to cancel.
“Hey, Leo, I can’t do this,” Doris whispered into the phone.
“Doris, remember when I was petrified of water? You were there, right beside me in that pool. We’re in this together,” Leo reassured her.
The next day, at the airport, Doris’s knees shook as she approached the gate. The group surrounded her, each offering words of encouragement.
“We’ve got you, Doris,” Maria said, holding her hand.
“Just like you had me when I was up on that stage,” Sam added, patting her back.
As the plane took off, Doris squeezed her eyes shut.
Halfway through the flight, Doris dared to peek out the window. The world below seemed so peaceful, so beautiful. A sense of accomplishment washed over her. She wasn’t in love with flying yet, but she was no longer a prisoner of her fear.
When they landed in Nashville, the group celebrated. They strolled down Broadway, listening to the live bands, their laughter mingling with the music.
As they gathered for a group photo, Leo said, “Look at us, conquering fears and creating memories!”
Doris smiled, looking at her friends, her support system. “I may not love flying, but I sure love this feeling. And I love you guys,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
The group’s adventure in Nashville was so enchanting they unanimously decided to stay an extra day. They reveled in the rich melodies at a live taping at The Grand Ole Opry, their hearts in tune with the music. As they wandered through the vibrant streets, they stumbled upon the famous WhatLiftsYou angel wings mural. It was the perfect backdrop for their final memory in the city.
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“Alright, everyone squeeze in! Let’s make this a selfie to remember,” exclaimed Leo, holding out his phone.
As they huddled together, Doris laughed, “Remember to show your wings, everyone!”
The camera captured their radiant smiles, framed by the mural’s wings. Doris, looking at the photo, felt a warmth in her heart. “We joined this group to face our fears, but we’ve accomplished so much more than that. You guys are my strength.”
The group shared a moment of silent understanding, each of them feeling pride in the strides they had taken. The Face Your Fears Club had bravely faced their fears together, and in doing so, had found something even more valuable – a bond that no fear could break.
Written by Kitty Norton. © 2024 Jack and Kitty Norton. Reprinted by permission of Jack and Kitty Media Group. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
