By morning the storm had passed. The Mighty Mo rolled by once again, calm and quiet.

People gathered along the levee. Mothers hugged their children, and neighbors shook Matthew and Anna’s hands.

Anna thanked them, and looking into the eyes of her Grandpa she said, “We were scared. The most scared I have ever been in my life."

Grandpa smiled softly saying, “Yes, but you did what you had to do. Courage doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means you stay anyway.”

Matthew and Anna stood together on top of the levee they had helped save. A feeling of strength swept over them. Beyond the levee, Maple Grove would wake to a new morning.

Against the roaring river—courage held.