Fill 11 Card 1: Strength

[innitmarvelous_og]

Bruce Banner had always been different from other people. He had never been interested in either power or dominance, but rather in compassion and empathy. He was a scientist by profession, but it was his kindness and gentleness that truly set him apart.

One day, while on a research trip to a small village in a remote part of South America, Bruce was approached by the father of a little girl who was sick. He explained to him that since their village was so remote, they had no access to a doctor, and his wife was at her wit's end at how to help their little girl. After Bruce agreed to help them, her father told him his daughter's name was Maria as he led Bruce to his family's home.

Maria was her lying in bed, looking weak and feverish. Sitting down beside her, Bruce began to talk to her in a gentle and calming voice.

"Hi there, Maria. My name is Bruce. I heard that you're not feeling well. Is that right?"

The little girl nodded, "I don't feel good."

"I think I can help with that but first I need to take your temperature and ask your mother so questions. Okay?"

"Okay," Maria said.

After putting on some gloves, Bruce took out a thermometer from his bag, "Okay, sweetie, I need to stick this under your tongue. It needs to stay there for a few minutes."

Maria opened her mouth, and allowed him to put the thermometer under her tongue.

"Okay, Maria, close your mouth please. I'm going to watch the time, and I'll let you know when it's time to take it out. Okay?"

She nodded again.

While they waited for the right time to take out the thermometer, Bruce turned around and said hello to the little girl's mother. He then asked her a series of questions about how long Maria had been sick, and what her symptoms were. When he finished, it was time to take the thermometer out.

Bruce felt all of their eyes, especially Maria's parents' eyes on him as he read the numbers there. He looked at Maria, "Well, sweetie, you've definitely got a fever, but the good news is, it's not too high and I have some medicine with me that will help bring it down. The only thing is, I have to warn you, the medicine doesn't taste all that great."

Maria made a face at hearing this.

"I know, I know, but I promise you, Maria, it's going to help you feel all better," he said, while taking it out of his bag, and getting the dose ready. "Can you sit up for me, Maria?"

Maria nodded, and tried to sit up, but soon it was obvious the little girl was too weak. Her mother started to come over to help her, and Bruce told her, "I've got this." She stayed back as he helped the girl sit up, and then he picked up the small cup again.

"Ready?" Bruce asked.

"Yes," said the little girl.

"Okay, on the count of three. One... two... three." He put the cup to the girl's lips, and Maria took it into her mouth.

She swallowed it without spitting it out, although she did make a face, "That was yucky!"

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sorry. But like I said, it's going to help you get better soon. Ready to lay back down?"

"Yeah," she said.

After Maria was settled back down, and it was obvious she wasn't going to go to sleep, and her parents approved, Bruce decided to stay with her awhile. Bruce asked her about her favorite things to do and about the games she liked to play. Maria also told him about her dolls and how they went on grand adventures together all over her hometown.

Bruce smiled as he listened to the little gir.l He'd only been in their family's home for about an hour, but he could tell the little girl was already seeing him as a new friend.

After a little while longer, Maria started to yawn, and Bruce insisted she tried to get some rest now. Once she was settled in the bed, Bruce handed the medicine to her mother, and gave her instructions on how to give it to Maria. He looked over to see the child asleep so, he said a quiet goodbye to the parents, and was about to leave when the little girl called out.

"Bruce?"

He stopped at the door, and looked at her, "Yes?"

"Don't go!"

Bruce smiled at her, "But I need to, sweetie. You need your rest, and there are some other little boys and girls who need me to check up on them. But I'll come back in the morning to check up on you, and we'll talk some more, maybe play a game if you're feeling like it. Okay?"

Maria yawned again, and nodded, "Okay." Her eyes closed, and she was asleep.