Theo climbed the rolling step ladder. Sunlight pooled on the wooden floor. His fingers brushed a dusty book.
The book opened with a soft sigh. Gold letters glowed on the pages. Kindness. Patience. Honesty.
Theo read each word slowly. This book felt like a secret gift.
At snack time, a girl dropped her crayons. Theo picked one up. 'Here,' he said.
The teacher asked who ate the last cookie. Theo looked at his empty plate and said nothing.
Theo stood in line for the swing. The boy in front moved very slowly. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The swing bell rang. Ring. Ring. Ring. Theo waited. And waited.
On the school bus, a new boy sat alone. He stared out the window. Theo clutched his book.
Theo walked over and sat beside him. 'Want to look?' he asked.
The boy shook his head. Theo opened the book. A golden paper butterfly fluttered out — real and tiny.
The butterfly landed on the new boy's nose. His eyes went wide.
They read together on the bus. The boy laughed. Theo laughed too. At school, the boy took Theo's hand.
