During recess, Zoe tripped and scraped her knee. 

She didn’t cry at first… until she saw the blood.  Then the tears came hot and fast.

 Everyone gathered around and stared. But Emma knelt beside her. “It’s okay,” she said softly, taking Zoe’s hand. “I fell last week. It hurts. But it gets better.” 

Zoe sniffled. “Really?” Emma nodded and called to Miss Tara, the teacher. 

They got a bandage, some alcohol, and a cool cloth. Later, Zoe whispered, 

“Thank you.” Emma smiled. Empathy isn’t fixing everything. It’s being there, feeling with someone, and saying with your heart, “You’re not alone.”