[Haven](FPFVX5WC) was an 11-year-old girl who loved drawing in her notebook, but lately, she didn’t feel like herself. At school, a group of mean kids had been teasing her about her freckles, calling her hurtful names like 'Spotty [Haven](FPFVX5WC).' She felt sad and small, and her notebook stayed closed more often than not.

One afternoon, [Haven](FPFVX5WC) went to her favorite spot in the park under an old oak tree. She opened her notebook, hoping to draw something cheerful, but her hand just wouldn’t move. Suddenly, a small, fluffy squirrel with a bushy red tail appeared and chirped at her as if to say hello.

The squirrel hopped closer and suddenly grabbed her pencil and started tapping on the notebook! [Haven](FPFVX5WC) laughed and reached out to gently take it back. 'Do you like to draw too?' she giggled, feeling just a little bit better.

The next day at school, [Haven](FPFVX5WC) decided to bring her notebook along. During recess, she sat outside and drew a picture of the squirrel. Several kids walked by, and one of them, a girl named [Maya](GJ362KDG), stopped. 'Wow, [Haven](FPFVX5WC), that’s amazing!' [Maya](GJ362KDG) exclaimed.

[Maya](GJ362KDG) sat next to [Haven](FPFVX5WC), and they started talking. [Haven](FPFVX5WC) shared how drawing made her feel happy, but also how she was scared to share her art because of the mean kids. [Maya](GJ362KDG) looked surprised. 'But your art is incredible! You should show everyone!'

When [Haven](FPFVX5WC) walked into class the next day, [Maya](GJ362KDG) was there waiting for her. She had told a few classmates about [Haven](FPFVX5WC)’s drawings, and they were all gathered around her desk, excited to see more. 'Don’t be scared, [Haven](FPFVX5WC). We all think you’re really talented,' [Maya](GJ362KDG) said.

[Haven](FPFVX5WC) nervously showed her classmates her drawings. To her surprise, they weren’t just impressed—they were amazed. 'I wish I could draw like you, [Haven](FPFVX5WC)!' said a boy named [Liam](KS3JL565). For the first time in weeks, [Haven](FPFVX5WC) felt proud of herself.

As the weeks went on, [Haven](FPFVX5WC) began drawing more at recess and even started teaching some of her classmates how to sketch animals. She realized that her freckles made her look unique, just like her art did.

She still saw the mean kids sometimes, but their words didn’t upset her anymore. [Haven](FPFVX5WC) remembered how [Maya](GJ362KDG) believed in her, and now she believed in herself too. She wasn’t 'Spotty [Haven](FPFVX5WC).' She was [Haven](FPFVX5WC)—the artist with big dreams.

From then on, [Haven](FPFVX5WC) knew that no one could take away her confidence. And even if challenges came her way, she would never forget how one kind friend and her own courage helped her see her true worth.