Lina’s Slow Spark

Lexile: 790 | Grade: 3

Passage

Lina wasn’t fast like the other kids. She didn’t run the quickest or shout the loudest. She liked to take her time—reading slowly, thinking carefully, moving gently through her day.

Sometimes she felt left behind, like everyone else was racing ahead. But she kept going at her own pace, even when it felt like no one noticed.

One morning, her teacher gave the class a challenge: 'Write a short story by the end of the day.' Some kids started writing right away. Others asked for help. Lina stared at her blank page for a long time.

She didn’t rush. She waited for the right words to come. They came slowly—one idea, then another, like small lights flickering on. By the end of the day, she had written something she was proud of.

When the teacher read her story out loud, the room got quiet. Her words were simple but strong. One classmate whispered, 'That was from Lina?' And Lina smiled, not big or loud, but deep. Her spark wasn’t fast—but it glowed steady, and that was enough.