A Family’s Special Story

One sunny afternoon, a mom named Sarah was helping her son, Ben, with his homework. Ben was in second grade, just like you! Ben’s homework was to learn about his family. He had to ask, “What was school like for you?” Sarah thought about her own time in college, which was about twenty years ago. That was a long time, back before Ben was even born!

College is a special school you can go to after high school. It helps you learn even more about things you love, like being a teacher, a scientist, or an artist. Sarah remembered that college cost a lot of money. Her family tried to help, but she needed to find a way to pay for it herself. She wanted to follow her dreams, so she got a very special job. This job was a little bit unusual and made her feel a little shy. It wasn’t a bad job, but it was different from what most of her friends were doing. Because of this job, Sarah could stay in college and learn how to do the work she loves today.

Now, Ben was asking about her life. Sarah felt happy about her choice because it helped her. But she wondered, “Should I tell Ben about my special job right now?” She thought maybe some stories are for when children are older. Parents have many stories. Some are for sharing right away, like funny stories or stories about their first pet. Other stories, they save for later, when their kids can understand them better.

Sarah decided to tell Ben about the fun parts of college instead. She told him about her big tests, her interesting books, and the friends she made. She said, “I worked very hard to be able to learn in college. Everyone has their own special path, or way, to reach their dreams.” Ben was just glad to hear about his mom as a student. He gave her a big hug.

The important lesson is that every family has its own stories. Some stories are simple, and some are more complicated. What matters most is that families love and support each other. Grown-ups make choices to take care of their families and reach their goals. And sometimes, the best part of the story is simply that they tried their best.

Comprehension Questions

What was Ben’s homework about?
A. Learning about animals.
B. Learning about his family.
C. Learning about space.
D. Learning about painting.
When did Sarah go to college?
A. Last year.
B. When Ben was in kindergarten.
C. About twenty years ago.
D. Next year.
Why did Sarah need a job in college?
A. To buy a new bike.
B. To pay for college because it cost a lot.
C. To make new friends.
D. To get more homework.
What did Sarah decide to tell Ben about?
A. Her special job from college.
B. The fun parts of college, like tests and friends.
C. What she wants to do next year.
D. Stories about Ben when he was a baby.
What is the main lesson of the story?
A. College is not important.
B. Families have different stories and love each other.
C. Homework is always easy.
D. All stories must be told right away.

Vocabulary Words

College – A school you can go to after high school to learn more.
Cost – How much money you need to pay for something.
Choice – The act of picking between different things.
Support – To help someone and be there for them.
Path – A way or road to get somewhere; how you reach a goal.