A Special Crossword Clue

One sunny morning this week, students in a classroom just like ours were working on a special puzzle. It was not a math puzzle or a word search. It was a crossword puzzle! This puzzle was in a newspaper for grown-ups, but the clue they were trying to solve was all about a wonderful thing we learn in school: being kind to others.

The clue was “Jordanian, perhaps?” and it had eleven spaces for letters. What word could it be? The answer was not the name of a person from a country called Jordan. Instead, it was the word H-E-L-P-F-U-L-N-E-S-S. Helpfulness! That is a very long word, but it is a very important one. Being helpful means you see someone who needs a hand, and you give it to them. You could help a friend tie their shoe, help your teacher pass out papers, or help clean up a mess.

The news story explained that the person who made the puzzle wanted to remind everyone about kindness. They thought that being helpful is a quality, or a special thing about a person, that everyone all over the world can share. Someone from Jordan can be helpful, someone from our town can be helpful, and you can be helpful, too!

The puzzle was printed in newspapers and online for people to see and solve. This happened very recently, just a few days ago. It shows that even games for grown-ups can have a sweet message for everyone. It teaches us that small acts of kindness are a big deal. When we are helpful, we make our classroom, our home, and our whole community a happier and friendlier place. It’s like spreading sunshine with our actions.

So the next time you have a chance to be a helper, remember that long word from the crossword puzzle. Your helpfulness is a superpower!

Vocabulary Words

Puzzle: A game or problem that makes you think to find the answer.
Clue: A hint that helps you figure out an answer.
Helpful: Ready to help or useful to others.
Quality: A special part of what someone or something is like.
Community: A group of people who live in the same area or share things in common.

Comprehension Questions

What kind of puzzle were the people in the story trying to solve?
A. A jigsaw puzzle
B. A crossword puzzle
C. A riddle
D. A maze
What was the long answer to the clue “Jordanian, perhaps?”
A. Friendliness
B. Happiness
C. Helpfulness
D. Smartness
What does it mean to be helpful?
A. To be very fast
B. To give someone a hand when they need it
C. To know all the answers
D. To be very quiet
When did this news story about the crossword puzzle happen?
A. Last year
B. Just a few days ago
C. Next week
D. On a holiday
What did the puzzle maker want to remind people about?
A. Being strong
B. Being funny
C. Being kind
D. Being tall