This book is dedicated to all children who think they couldn't when in fact they could.

This book is dedicated, to all the children, who think they couldn't, when in fact, they could.

Little Susie porcupine was not very happy today. As a matter of fact, she hadn't been very happy for a long time. Ever since her momma went to work and Susie had to come to the day care center. 

There were a lot of children to play with, there was wonderful things to see and do, but Susie was still sad. The ladies who ran the center were very nice to Susie and each one took a turn trying to get her to smile

They all gave up, except for Miss Sara. She was determined to help this little girl to smile again.

It's not that Susie wasn't a happy child. At home she could happily talk your ears off. She was constantly laughing or giggling about something, possibly everything or anything that happened. 

At the center, Susie felt different and she felt sad.

The children were always playing wonderful games but Susie never joined in. She didn't know these games. Porcupines didn't play leap frog, tag or London Bridge. It's not that they didn't want to play those games. 

It's just that it wasn't safe, not with hundred's of pointy quills all over their bodies.

Susie felt different and, she was sad. Every day as Susie stood watching the other children playing, she would pray for her quills to disappear. Then she wouldn't be different, then she wouldn't be so sad. Then, she could play with the other children.

Miss Sara could see that Susie wasn't very happy, but she wasn't sure why. She didn't know how to help her be happy again, yet!!!

Miss Sara tried getting Susie to draw. She was very good at it, but still, no smile. Miss Sara tried finger painting, also, still, no  smile. Oh, what to do?

Miss Sara was frustrated. She knew Susie was a good little girl and according to her mother, not at all moody or unhappy. Could this be the same child? Oh! What to do?!

One day, Miss Sara noticed that Susie was in her usual place on the outskirts watching. This time she watched Susie carefully to see what she was staring at.

 "Why, it's the other children playing," thought, Miss Sara. "Why doesn't she join them?"

All of a sudden, it hit Miss Sara like a bolt of lightening! Susie was the only porcupine at the center. Of course, she can't safely play the games, and she knows it. These are not porcupine games. But, there are a lot of games that are.

Miss Sara smiled at Susie and took her hand and moved her toward the other children. As she did, she softly whispered for Susie's ears only, "when you're different from everyone else around you, it shouldn't be a time of sadness, it should be a time of joy for all the new and wonderful things you can learn from each other," said Miss Sara with a smile.