Dainty Delaney

Delaney Jones didn't like being dainty. And as a well-seasoned third grader at Hilltop Elementary, she felt certain life had handed her the short end of the stick. And once the school year started, the size of that short stick became evidently clear, at least as far as Delaney was concerned. Bummed, Delaney doesn't even want to go to the carnival while its in town. Why bother, when one can't even ride the cool rides? But when Delaney spots a pair of boots that will give her the boost needed to get on the rides, she uses the only source of income she can think of to raise the cash to buy the boots - the Tooth Fairy. Wiggling, prodding, and using every method imaginable, Delaney tries to pop out her teeth in time to buy the boots and hit the rides. Little did Delaney realize: teeth come out when they're good and ready, and not a day before. Losing two of the three loose teeth, Delaney waits for the Tooth Fairy to hold up her end of the bargain. With her hard earned cash in hand, Delaney buys the boots and heads for the carnival - confident of her victory. Her conquest, however, is short lived when the ride operator motions for her to ditch the boots and step up to the height chart. Defeated, Delaney does as asked and waits for the verdict. And in doing so, discovers life sometimes has a way of working out.

When being big at heart means being big enough. Delaney Jones doesn't like being so small. In her mind, it is the one thing that always makes her different from everyone else. But in the end, Delaney discovers that it doesn't take being big to get over life's little hurdles. And being different isn't so bad after all.