내 친구는 용감하다 Beth admires Molly

Beth admires Molly, the bravest girl in second grade. 

Molly climbs high monkey bars, laughs at pranks, and stands up to bullies. 

Beth wishes she were like her. When Molly invites Beth to her family’s country house, 

Beth feels both excited and nervous about leaving home for the first time.

 Her mother encourages her and promises she will be fine.

On Saturday, Molly’s parents pick Beth up with their big dog Butch. 

Beth is scared of the dog but pretends to enjoy his licks so she won’t seem weak. 

The old farmhouse feels mysterious, but soon the girls are busy picking berries. 

At first Beth fears the bugs, but she joins Molly and even pretends to be a vampire 

with juice on her face.

Later, they explore a stream with a log bridge.

Molly runs across easily, but Beth slips and falls, feeling embarrassed.

Molly, however, doesn’t tease her. When Butch chases a rabbit into a huge cornfield,

the girls follow and quickly get lost.

Surprisingly, Molly begins to panic, and Beth realizes she must be the brave one.

Holding Molly’s hand, Beth leads them straight ahead until they find the edge of the field.

Molly cheers and says Beth has real guts.

That evening, they cook hot dogs, eat corn, and laugh together.

At bedtime, Beth feels homesick, but Molly’s mom comforts her.

Molly calls Beth her best friend, and they seal it with a pinky promise.

Beth understands that courage doesn’t mean never being afraid—it means facing fears and helping others. In the end, she discovers she is just as brave as Molly.

 

해석

베스는 반에서 가장 용감한 아이 몰리를 존경합니다. 몰리는 높은 철봉 위에 서고, 장난에도 웃어넘기며, 놀림을 받아도 당당히 맞섭니다. 베스는 자신도 그렇게 용감했으면 좋겠다고 생각합니다. 어느 날 몰리가 시골 집으로 주말에 놀러 오라고 하자, 베스는 설레면서도 집을 떠나는 것이 두려웠습니다. 엄마는 베스를 안심시키며 잘할 수 있다고 격려합니다.

토요일 아침, 몰리 부모님이 개 부치와 함께 베스를 데리러 옵니다. 개가 무섭지만 베스는 용감해 보이려 애써 웃습니다. 오래된 농가에 도착한 후, 두 아이는 열매를 따며 놀기 시작합니다. 처음에는 벌레가 무서웠지만, 베스도 용기를 내어 참여하고 빨갛게 묻은 주스를 흡혈귀 놀이로 바꿔 즐깁니다.

이후 냇가에 있는 통나무 다리를 건너며 베스는 미끄러져 넘어지지만, 몰리는 놀리지 않습니다. 그런데 부치가 토끼를 쫓아 옥수수밭으로 들어가자, 두 아이도 따라가다가 길을 잃습니다. 놀랍게도 용감하던 몰리가 울먹이며 두려워합니다. 그때 베스는 몰리의 손을 잡고 곧게 걸어 나가자고 제안하며 두려움을 극복합니다. 결국 바깥으로 나와 몰리는 베스가 자신들을 구했다고 칭찬합니다.

저녁에는 함께 핫도그를 구워 먹고 옥수수도 배불리 먹으며 웃습니다. 잠자리에서 베스는 잠시 향수를 느끼지만, 몰리 엄마와 몰리의 따뜻한 말 덕분에 마음이 놓입니다. 두 아이는 서로 최고의 친구라 약속하며 새끼손가락을 걸었습니다. 베스는 용기란 두려움이 없는 게 아니라, 두려움을 안고도 나아가는 것임을 깨닫습니다. 이제 그녀도 자신이 몰리만큼이나 용감하다는 사실을 알게 됩니다.