Once there was a girl named Emily who loved school, especially reading her favorite books quietly in the library.
But Emily had a problem. Some kids at school were not very nice to her. They would laugh and point fingers when she read aloud.
She felt really sad. But she never stopped reading because it was her dream to read a story to the class.
Emily practiced reading every day, sounding out tough words and making her voice clear and strong.
At home, her family listened to her read and cheered her on. 'You're doing great!' they would say.
Back at school, she would take deep breaths and read to the trees during recess, imagining a crowd of friends listening.
One day, the teacher asked if anyone wanted to read a story. Emily's heart raced, but she raised her hand.
As she stood in front of the class, she saw the bullies' smirking faces, but she focused on her book.
She took a deep breath, started reading, and the words flowed beautifully. The class listened quietly, entranced.
When she finished, there was silence. Then, the room erupted into applause. Emily beamed with happiness.
After that day, the bullies didn't bother her anymore. They saw her bravery and began to respect her.
Emily realized that by facing her fears, she had not only gained her classmates' respect but also her own.
Reflection Questions