Terry has a friend named fear.

Terry and Fear have been friends for a very long time.

Fear loved being friends with Terry, because he always made Terry fearful of things.

Terry knew that Fear was a bad influence, however, Terry didn't know exactly how to deal with Fear.

When Terry decided to try out for his school's basketball team, Fear said, "Terry, you shouldn't try out for the basketball team, because you're not going to make it."

When Fear stayed the night over Terry's house, Fear said, "Terry, there is something lurking in your closet."

Terry became fearful and always slept with the covers pulled over his head, and with his bedroom light on every night.

Terry and Fear were in the same classroom. When it was time to take their spelling tests, Fear said, "Terry, you are going to make a bad grade because the words are hard to spell."

Even though Terry had studied very hard for his spelling test, Terry did not take his spelling test because of what Fear told him.

Mr. Johnson, Terry's teacher, sent a note home to Terry's parents.

Terry's father was upset with Terry for not taking his spelling test. "Terry, why didn't you take your spelling test?" said Terry's father.

"Fear told me that I would make a bad grade because the words were too hard to spell," said Terry.

"I want you to stay away from Fear," said Terry's father. "He is a bad influence, and he will stop you from making right decisions."

The next day, before going to school, Terry's mother said, "Terry, did you sleep with your bedroom light on again?"

"Yes," said Terry. "Fear told me that something was lurking in my closet."

"There's nothing lurking in your closet," said Terry's mother. "I want you to stay away from fear, because he is a bad influence. If you keep listening to him, you're always going to be fearful of things."