High in the Andes Mountains of Peru lived a timid young alpaca named Pelu. Unlike the other alpacas who loved to explore the mountainsides, Pelu was afraid of heights and preferred to stay in the valley.

One day, a great storm washed away the bridge connecting their valley to the highland pastures where they grazed in summer. The herd needed to find a new path over the mountains, but Pelu was terrified.

An old condor named Apu saw Pelu's distress and swooped down to talk to him. "Young Pelu," Apu said, "the strength to climb mountains lies within you. Your ancestors have roamed these peaks for centuries."

Encouraged by Apu's words, Pelu decided to join the herd on their journey. As they climbed higher, Pelu's fear began to fade. He discovered that his hooves were perfectly adapted to gripping the rocky paths, and his thick wool protected him from the cold mountain air.

When they reached a particularly steep section, some of the younger alpacas began to struggle. To everyone's surprise, Pelu stepped forward. Drawing on his newfound confidence, he showed them how to navigate the tricky terrain.

By the time they reached the highland pastures, Pelu had not only conquered his fear but had also become a leader in the herd. He realized that facing his fears had allowed him to discover strengths he never knew he had.

Moral: Courage isn't the absence of fear, but the strength to face it. Often, our greatest strengths are discovered when we challenge ourselves.