6 Feb: "WILMA RUDOLPH" by Ann Whitford Paul

One leg was bent; her foot turned in.
She had to wear a heavy brace
and an ugly, hateful shoe.
Each pace, each step, she scraped and clunked.
Kids gathered close to stare at her
and taunt and tease.
Slowly
Wilma hobbled off.
She found a secret place,
unbuckled the brace, untied the shoe,
then yanked them off.
Every day she practiced walking.
How it hurt to hold her leg the normal way!
At first Wilma stumbled.
She dragged her foot.
Step, slow step . . .
slow lurching steps . . .
until she learned to walk!
Faster! Faster!
Wilma began
to run.
She ran
and ran
and ran.