much as anyone else. Some people consider patients with AIDS to be abnormal, but how could you feel that way about an innocent victim? Once, when I was in fourth grade, a new kid came into school. His name was James. He was shy, but very nice. I played with him all the time, but some people said he was "gross''. James always seemed to be lonely and never talked.

After a term or two I began to get curious. He wasn't even playing with me anymore. Now everyone was calling him disgusting. I asked him why they were calling him names. He told me that he had AIDS. I felt really sorry for him. I tried to include him as much as possible. I told everyone else that there's nothing he could do and there's no reason to tease him. Some people stopped teasing him, but others didn't care what I said. That made me really mad. I told everyone who had listened to me to play with James all the time. When everyone started playing with him, he wondered why, but after a little while he didn't care. He was just having fun. I felt relieved. He was finally happy.

There was nothing to worry about anymore.

Now James is my best friend. So remember, if someone you know has AIDS or any other disease, try to help them out a little. They might end up being your best friend.

By Ryan Brining (11), Saltus Junior School CONTEST COMPETITION CPN