Franklin Goes to the Hospital, Franklin and the Tooth Fairy, and Finders Keepers for Franklin: Three Classic Franklin Stories (2 page)

Franklin didn’t mind. His tummy was too busy flip-flopping for him to think about eating.

After school, Franklin’s friends came to visit.

Franklin showed them the book about hospitals that Dr. Bear had given him. Fox pointed to a picture and asked why everyone was wearing a mask.

“Masks keep germs out of the operating room,” explained Franklin.

“Are you scared?” asked Beaver.

“Of course he’s not scared,” replied Bear. “Franklin’s very brave.”

Franklin didn’t say anything.

It was early when Franklin and his parents left for the hospital. With his blue blanket and Sam clutched in his arms, Franklin said goodbye to his room.

Franklin’s mother gave him a hug. “You’ll be home tomorrow,” she reminded him.

“I know,” Franklin said softly.

“You’re a very brave little turtle,” said his father.

At the hospital, Franklin was given a bracelet with his name on it. Then an attendant pushed him down a long hallway in a wheelchair.

Franklin stared at all the strange equipment on carts and trolleys, and he wrinkled his nose at the unfamiliar smells. As they went around corners and through doors, Franklin kept checking to make sure that his parents were keeping up. 

At last, they reached Franklin’s room.

A nurse gave Franklin a special gown to wear.  She took his temperature and his blood pressure and listened to his heart. Next she rubbed some cream on his hand.

“This will numb your hand,” she told him. “Then it won’t hurt when the doctor puts in the needle for your sleep medicine.”

“Okay,” said Franklin in a small voice.

“You’re a very brave patient,” said the nurse.

Soon the attendant came back to take Franklin to another room. Dr. Bear was waiting for him.

“We’re going to take some X-rays,” she said. “I need to know exactly where to put the pin.”

“I don’t want X-rays,” whispered Franklin.

“X-rays don’t hurt,” explained Dr. Bear. “The machine only takes pictures of what’s inside you.”

“I know,” said Franklin.

He started to cry.

 Dr. Bear sat down beside Franklin.

“Please tell me what’s wrong,” she said.

Franklin sniffled.  “Everybody thinks I’m brave, but I’ve just been pretending. X-rays will show that
inside
I’m scared.”

“Oh Franklin!” exclaimed Dr. Bear. “An X-ray doesn’t show feelings.  It only shows shell and bones.”

“You mean no one will know I’m afraid?” Franklin asked.

“No one,” replied Dr. Bear. “But just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean you aren’t brave. Being brave means doing what you have to do, no matter how scared you feel.”

Franklin thought for a few moments. 

“Well, I am scared to have the operation,” he finally said.  “But I know I have to so my shell will grow big and strong.”

Dr. Bear smiled.  “That’s what being brave is all about.”

Franklin let out a very deep sigh.

“I’m ready now,” he said.

When the X-rays were done, Franklin was taken to the waiting room. 

“We aren’t allowed into the operating room, Franklin,” said his father. 

“But we’ll be with you in the recovery room when you wake up,” his mother promised.