Jordan slammed his locker shut. 

A red “D” glared up from his math test.

Then came the whisper — two kids laughing behind him.

And then the text — a friend saying, “Why are you so dramatic lately?”

His chest felt tight. His fists clenched.

He wanted to yell. To cry. To disappear.

Instead, he walked to the bathroom, locked the stall, and sat.

He remembered something his grandma told him:

“Wisdom doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers.”

So he whispered to himself:

“Breathe.” 

“This moment doesn’t define me.” 

“I can choose calm.”

He didn’t fix everything that day.

But he didn’t explode.

He didn’t say something he’d regret.

He didn’t let the storm win.

Later, he texted his friend:

“I’ve been overwhelmed. I’m trying to handle it better.”

The reply came back:

“Thanks for saying that. I get it.”

Jordan didn’t feel weak anymore.

He felt strong — the quiet kind of strong.

Inspired by Proverbs 15:1  

“A gentle answer turns away anger.”