Learning About Feelings After Sad News

One sunny morning last week, a family got some very sad news. A kind woman named Sarah lost her home in a big storm. The wind was very strong, and the rain was very heavy. The storm broke windows and made the roof leak. Sarah had to leave her house quickly to be safe.

Sarah’s brother, Ben, was very worried about her. He thought she would be crying and feeling very, very sad. That feeling of deep sadness is called grieving. But when Ben called Sarah, her voice sounded calm. She said, “I am okay. I am not grieving right now.”

This confused Ben. He loved his sister and wanted to help her feel better. He didn’t understand why she wasn’t acting the way he expected.

Sarah explained it to him. She said, “Sometimes, when something really big and scary happens, our feelings need time to wake up. It’s like my heart is taking a little rest before it feels all the big feelings.” She was busy making a list of what to do next—calling for help, finding a safe place to sleep, and getting new clothes. Her mind was focused on solving problems to keep herself safe.

Sarah told Ben that people can feel things in different ways and at different times. Some people cry right away. Some people feel numb, which means their feelings seem quiet for a while. Some people get very busy fixing things. All of these ways are okay. There is no single right way to feel after something hard happens.

Ben learned an important lesson. He learned that we can support people by listening to them and helping them with what they need, not just what we think they should feel. He asked Sarah, “How can I help you today?” instead of saying, “You should be sad.” Sarah asked him to help her call their grandparents to tell them she was safe.

This story helps us understand that big feelings are complicated. It is important to be kind and patient with ourselves and others when sad things happen. Talking about our feelings with a family member, teacher, or friend can help our hearts feel better when they are ready.

Vocabulary Words

Grieving: Feeling very deep sadness, often after losing something or someone important.
Confused: When you do not understand something and your thoughts feel mixed up.
Numb: When your feelings seem quiet or asleep for a little while, like you can’t feel them yet.
Support: To help someone and be kind to them when they need it.
Complicated: Something that has many parts and is not simple or easy to understand right away.

Comprehension Questions

Choose the best answer for each question.

What happened to Sarah’s home?
A. She painted it a new color.
B. It was damaged in a big storm.
C. She sold it to a friend.
D. She had a big party there.
How did Ben expect Sarah to feel after the storm?
A. Hungry and tired.
B. Happy and excited.
C. Very sad and crying.
D. Silly and playful.
What does the word “numb” mean in the story?
A. Feeling very angry.
B. Feelings seem quiet for a while.
C. Having a lot of energy.
D. Feeling very cold.
How did Ben decide to help Sarah at the end?
A. He told her she should be sad.
B. He asked how he could help her that day.
C. He sent her a funny movie.
D. He cleaned his own room.
What is the main lesson of this story?
A. Storms are not very scary.
B. It is important to have a new house.
C. People can feel things in different ways, and that’s okay.
D. Brothers always know best.