The Tiny Stone
Leo wanted to give Grandma a gift. It was her birthday today.
His brother Ben had a huge box. The box had a big red bow on top.
Leo looked at his own hands. He had no money to buy a big box.
Leo found a smooth gray stone in the yard. He sat at the kitchen table with his paints.
He painted a bright yellow flower on the stone. He painted tiny green leaves, too.
Ben placed the giant box on Grandma's lap. Grandma smiled and opened the soft blanket.
"Thank you, Ben," Grandma said. Then Leo held out his hands.
His gift was very small. He felt a little shy.
Grandma took the little painted stone. She held it close to her heart.
"A flower that will never fade," Grandma said. She gave Leo a warm hug.
"You made this just for me," Grandma said. "It is the best gift of all."
Grandma set the tiny stone right by her bed. Leo felt happy and proud.
- smooth:
- Flat and even, not rough or bumpy.
- giant:
- Very, very big.
- shy:
- Feeling quiet, nervous, or unsure around others.
- fade:
- To lose color or slowly disappear.
- proud:
- Feeling pleased and happy about something you did.
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
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Summarize
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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
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Whose birthday was it today?
- 2What gift was inside Ben's big box?
Where this passage belongs
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About this short story passage for 1st Grade
“The Tiny Stone” is a short story reading passage about thoughtful handmade gifts, written for 1st Grade. It takes about 1 minute to read (168 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.