"Tell your  mother, Nicholas. Why you're always so afraid of being frightened? It is the most natural feeling a boy can have."

Nick cast his eyes at the rain-streaked kitchen window, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

"Because I think a boy is not supposed to be afraid! The boys I read about in books are never afraid of anything! But I was afraid out there today, twice! Twice in one day!"

"You're not a boy in a book, son, you're just a normal boy... I think you're a very brave boy, Nicholas McIver," Emily said, giving him a brief peck on the top of his head, "But brave boys don't get to be brave men unless they're a bit clever, too. Be clever enough to be afraid when you need to be, won't you, Nick?"
(~Ted Bell, Nick of Time, p. 15)