Like a Plant Toward the Light

Lexile: 790 | Grade: 3

Passage

Have you ever noticed how a plant leans toward the sun? Even if it starts in the shade, it slowly bends, stretches, and turns its leaves toward the light. This process is called *phototropism*, and it helps the plant grow stronger by reaching for what it needs.

Plants don’t have eyes or brains, but they still know how to follow the light. Inside their stems are special cells that react when sunlight touches them. These cells help the plant move, just a little bit each day, in the right direction.

Sometimes people grow like that too. We may not always know the perfect way forward, but we learn by moving toward what feels right—kindness, learning, curiosity, or courage. Even when we start in the shadows, we can grow stronger by choosing the light.

This kind of growth takes time. It isn’t fast or flashy. You may not see big changes at first. But like a plant turning its face to the sun, your small steps can lead to something tall, green, and full of life.

So when you feel unsure or stuck, remember the plant. You don’t have to grow all at once. Just turn a little each day toward what helps you shine.