The Boy Who Only Wanted
The Boy Who Only Wanted
Once, there was a boy named Tim. Tim loved toys, but he never said, "Thank you." All day, Tim would say, "I want! I want! I want!"
One sunny day, Tim was playing in his yard. He said, "I want a new truck!" Suddenly, a tiny, sparkly creature popped into view. "I am a Gratitude Sprite!" she sang. "And I hear you only say, 'I want!' Let me show you what you already have."
The Sprite waved her wand. POOF! Tim and the Sprite shrunk down to the size of ants. "Look!" said the Sprite. Tim saw his house. It looked giant. He saw his mom and dad working in the yard. "You have a home and a family who loves you," said the Sprite. Tim never thought of that before.
Next, the Sprite waved her wand again. POOF! Now they were in Tim's room. It was full of toys. There were books to read and games to play. "Wow!" said Tim. "I have so much!"
Then, the Sprite took Tim to the park. They saw kids laughing and playing. Tim had friends! He could run and jump and play with them. Tim smiled. He felt happy.
- Gratitude:
- Being thankful for what you have.
- Sprite:
- A tiny magical creature.
- Want:
- To wish for something.
- creature:
- A living thing, like an animal or a magical being.
- shrunk:
- Became smaller in size.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What did Tim always say?
- 2Who came to visit Tim?
Where this passage belongs
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About this fiction passage for Lower Elementary
“The Boy Who Only Wanted” is a fiction reading passage about Gratitude, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (262 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.