Ethan Lewis sat on his bed, staring at the blank page of his journal. Around him, his friends were all discovering new ways to stand out—volunteering at animal shelters, joining sports teams, or helping out at home. But Ethan wasn’t sure how he could do something meaningful.

His mom worked long hours at the hospital, and his dad traveled constantly for his job. At home, there didn’t seem to be much for him to do. At school, he wasn’t part of any clubs yet, and nothing seemed to fit. He wanted to do something that actually mattered—but what?

That afternoon, Ethan wandered into the library. He loved books more than anything, and the library felt like a second home. Behind the front desk was Ms. Rose, the librarian who always seemed to notice when Ethan was lost in thought.

“You look like you’re carrying a heavy question,” Ms. Rose said kindly.

Ethan hesitated. “I just I want to do something important. Something that helps. But I don’t know what that is.”

Ms. Rose thought for a moment. “You’re here nearly every week, always with your nose in a book. Have you ever thought about sharing stories, not just reading them?”

“Sharing stories?”

“There are kids in the neighborhood who don’t have as many chances to come here. Sometimes, what they need most is someone to read to them, someone who makes them feel seen.”

The idea lit a spark in Ethan’s mind. He couldn’t shake it.

The next morning, he stood nervously by the community garden near his apartment complex. A few kids from the neighborhood played tag near the fence. Ethan had tucked a few picture books under his arm, his palms sweating.

Finally, he called out, “Hey, do you guys want to hear a story?”

At first, only one boy stopped—Tommy, a wiry kid with a mischievous grin. “Depends,” he said. “Is it boring?”

Ethan laughed. “Not this one. It’s about a kid who finds a secret map hidden inside a library book.”

That caught Tommy’s attention. He waved over his sister, Mary, and soon a couple more kids wandered over, sitting cross-legged on the grass. Ethan began to read, his voice shaky at first, then stronger as the story carried him along.

By the time he finished, the kids were hooked. Tommy leaned forward, eyes wide. “Got another one?”

The next day, and the day after that, more kids showed up. Mary brought her friends, Tommy dragged his little brother, and soon Ethan found himself with a small circle of eager listeners every afternoon. He pulled from his favorite fantasy novels, funny short stories, and even made up a few tales of his own.

One Saturday, he arrived early to set up a blanket and noticed someone watching from the sidewalk. It was Ms. Rose, smiling softly as the kids clustered around Ethan, begging for their favorite stories. He launched into a tale about a clever fox who outsmarted a whole town, his confidence growing with each laugh and gasp from his audience.

When the session ended, Ms. Rose approached. “You’ve found your way, haven’t you?”

Ethan nodded, a little breathless. “I think so. I never thought I could make a difference just by reading.”

“Sometimes the simplest things matter the most,” Ms. Rose said. “You’ve given them a space to imagine and belong. That’s no small thing.”

As Ethan packed up his books, Tommy grinned at him. “Tomorrow, you gotta tell the one about the knight again. That one’s my favorite.”

Ethan smiled. For the first time in weeks, his heart felt light. Maybe he hadn’t joined a team or mastered a big project, but he had discovered something even better—a way to serve by sharing what he loved.

And he knew this was only the beginning.

_{“Finding His Way” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Winning of an Honor” from Fireside Stories for Girls in Their Teens by Margaret W. Eggleston, originally published in 1921.}

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“Finding His Way” is well-suited for grades 4–7, as its relatable protagonist, simple yet engaging plot, and themes of self-discovery, kindness, and belonging encourage middle-grade readers to reflect on their own strengths and contributions.

Here are three discussion questions you could use with this story:

1. Have you ever discovered a talent or hobby that helped you connect with others in an unexpected way?

2. Why do you think sharing stories can bring people together? What other activities might create the same sense of community?

3. Ms. Rose tells Ethan that “sometimes the simplest things matter the most.” What do you think she means by this? Can you give an example of a small action that made a big difference in your life or someone else’s?

This content is provided under fair use for educational purposes only. Commercial use is strictly prohibited by the creator.