Ice Cube Award

My name is Dani, and I live in Ice Town. Everything is made of ice, which is really cool... unless you have an anger problem, like I do. When I get angry,I get hot, and then, things start to melt. This is not a good thing in Ice Town. Staying cool when things don’t go my way is hard, but I had to learn to control my anger or my family was going to be in big trouble. This is my story. “Dani,” Mom said, pulling into the grocery store parking lot, “we have to pick up some juice for your sister this morning before church. Stay right with me or we’ll be late.” “Can I get some Crunch Blasters?” Dani asked. “No, Dani,” Mom said, “we’re only getting juice.” Following mom into the store, Dani quickly darted down the candy aisle. Mom headed for the juice aisle. “Dani, go put those Crunch Blasters back on the shelf,” Mom said as she came to the candy aisle and found Dani. “I told you we aren’t buying any candy today. I’m going to check out. Hurry or we’ll be late for church. Remember to stay cool. You know what happens when you don’t.” “I want it!” Dani said, already feeling the heat coming up in her cheeks. Crunch Blasters were her favorite candy in the whole world. “No,” Mom said with a stern face. Dani knew she meant it. The heat on Dani’s face became red-hot, her tummy got tight, and her palms started to sweat. She looked down at her feet and they were in a puddle of water. “Oh slosh, my gosh,” Dani said, running back down the candy isle-slosh, slosh, slosh. The puddles were getting deeper with each step. Dani threw the candy back on the shelf and headed back toward the front of the store. “Mom, let’s go!” Dani shouted, running toward her. “Dani, what’s wrong?” Mom asked. “Hurry,” Dani yelled, pulling Mom and the cart out of the store. The clerk slid behind them with his mop. “Dani,” Mom said, shaking her head as she closed the trunk, "we will talk about this after church. Get in the car.”