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The day began as a clear, beautiful summer day.
The sun was peeking over the mountains
as Rain That Dances woke up.
He jumped out of bed.
Today, Mr. Eagle's going to tell me
what my people can do to stay healthy.
After breakfast, as Rain That Dances
ran down the road to meet his friend Thunder Cloud,
he thought to himself --
I hope that Thunder Cloud can go with me.
He is my best friend
and he lives just down the road.
Hey, Thunder.
What are you doing today?
Watching some T.V. Why?
Rain That Dances told his friend
about the great bird he had met
and the important things the eagle had told him.
I'm going back to talk to him right now.
Will you come with me?
Sure. Sounds like fun.
I'll get my cap.
The boys started walking to the old tree stump
where, Rain That Dances said,
the great bird would be waiting for them.
The more they talked, the faster they walked.
I wonder what the eagle will tell us today.
When Rain That Dances and Thunder Cloud
finally reached the old tree stump,
the great bird was waiting for them.
Good morning, Mr. Eagle.
This is my best friend, Thunder Cloud.
I wanted him to come with me
so we can both hear what you have to say.
Good morning to you as well.
I am glad you have come eary
because I have a lot to tell you.
Rain That Dances and Thunder Cloud
quickly sat down beside the great bird
and listened carefully as the eagle spoke.
Mr. Eagle: Yesterday, I told you
how your people have always been a healthy people.
When they were children,
they played outside every day.
They were strong and fit.
As they grew up, they continued to be healthy.
They kept their bodies moving by working hard
and doing things that they enjoyed.
The eagle's voice became sad as he continued.
ren
playing outside and keeping strong and fit
I see some children who cannot run
or jump and play because their bodies
ng
This makes me very sad.
Children should be moving their bodies
because this is a healthy thing to do.
Why is this happening to us?
Look down the hill and see your village.
What can you see?
Thunder Cloud and Rain That Dances
looked toward their village.
They saw people riding in their cars and trucks.
They did not see many children outside playing.
The village was very quiet.
Rain That Dances: I don't really see anything, Mr. Eagl.
Everyone must be inside their homes.
Yes, that is what makes me so sad.
The children are inside,
spending too much time watching T.V.
or just sitting around.
Do you know why it is important
for you to play and keep your bodies moving?
Sure! So we won't be bored.
That is a silly question you have asked, Mr. Eagle.
The eagle shook his head.
With great wisdom and understanding,
he answered Thunder Cloud.
Actually, it is not a silly question at all.
Yesterday, I told Rain That Dances
k
from a disease called diabetes.
Even some young people have diabetes now.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is when your body does not use
the food you eat the right way.
So there is too much sugar,
or glucose, in the blood.
It can make people sick if it is not in balance.
Just as your tummy is in balance
when you eat the right amount of food --
not too much, not too little,
ve
just the right balance of sugar in your blood.
But someone who has diabetes
can learn to take care of it
and stay healthy.
And you can do things
to keep from getting this disease.
One very good way is to do something every day
to get your body moving.
Oh, so diabetes is not a good thing
to
t's right.
So how can you get your body moving?
Like this.
Rain That Dances began jumping up and down.
[ Laughs ] You look pretty silly.
The eagle looked at Thunder Cloud.
As a matter of fact, Rain That Dances
doesn't look silly at all.
Rain That Dances is moving
his arms and legs in a fun way.
Moving around is a good thing for everyone,
young and old.
It is not good to be sitting all the time.
Can you tell me what else I can do
to get my body moving?
I want to stay strong and healthy.
Me too.
You can do many fun things,
like riding your bike.
What about playing baseball or tag?
ry good fun.
What else can you and your friends do?
Play videogames. That keeps my thumbs moving.
It's okay to play with your videogames
once in a while, but not all the time.
Can you think of other games to play
that would move your whole body?
The boys thought and thought.
They could not come up with other things they could do.
Here's a game to play.
Why don't you join along?
Are you ready to move your body, too?
Let's take a deep breath in and then let it out.
Let's look up at the sky,
look down at the ground,
look side to side, and see what we can see.
Let's touch our nose,
first with one hand, then the other.
aight.
Let's tap our feet on the ground,
left foot first and then right foot next.
Let's clap our hands and march around
with our knees lifted high as they leave the ground.
Let's flap our arms and pretend we can fly.
Let's all be eagles, flying high in the sky.
Let's jump like a kangaroo and see how high we can go.
Let's jump on one foot and then hop on the other
and see if we can go a little bit further.
East or west or up and down,
we'll start again and go round and round.
We jump and jump. We're having fun!
This is one way to stay healthy, one way to stay strong.
[ Giggling ]
The eagle flapped his wings and laughed
as he watched the boys jump like kangaroos.
This is fun!
Now, I know what you mean about moving my body.
I am going to tell my family and friends
what you have told us, Mr. Eagle.
I want them to start moving their bodies
to be strong.
Maybe they can play this game with me.
Me too.
Thank you for taking the time
to talk to us, Mr. Eagle.
Yeah, thanks! Will you be here tomorrow?
Of course I will be here.
And I will bring a friend
who wants to tell you what else you can do
to stay healthy and strong.