The Lighthouse Reading Club
A story about reading buddies, kindness and growing into a role model.
Rahul was not looking forward to Friday. Each week, Grade Six visited Grade One for the Lighthouse Reading Club, where the older children read aloud to the younger ones. Rahul was not a great reader, and he was nervous.
His buddy was a small girl called Lottie, who had a gap in her teeth and a pigtail on each side. She held up a picture book about a bear. “I want that one,” she said. Rahul sat beside her on a beanbag. He took a deep breath, and began.
He stumbled on the word “enormous.” Lottie waited, and then whispered, “E-nor-mous.” Rahul blinked in surprise. “How do you know that word?” he said. “My mum taught me,” she said. “Sound it out in pieces.” They both laughed, and he tried again.
As the weeks went by, Rahul began to look forward to Fridays. He read the stories with funny voices. For the bear, he used a deep growl. For the mouse, he squeaked. Lottie giggled, and the children nearby crowded around to listen.
One day, Lottie sat very still. She looked sad. “What is wrong?” asked Rahul. “I cannot read the words myself,” she said. “All my friends can.” Rahul felt a pang. He remembered how it felt to be behind.
“Would you like to try with me?” he said. He pointed to the first word, and she sounded it out. It took a long time. He did not hurry her. By the end of the page, she had read six words by herself, and her smile was as wide as the book.
Every Friday after that, they practised a page together. Rahul found that he got better at reading too, because teaching Lottie made him slow down and pay attention. He began to take books home to read to his own younger brother.
At the end of term, the school held a celebration. Each reading buddy received a certificate. Lottie’s said, “I can read!” Rahul’s said, “Best reading buddy.” He held it in both hands, and looked at the little girl beside him.
“You are the best teacher,” whispered Lottie. Rahul blushed. “And you are the best student,” he said. Neither of them wanted Friday to end.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Teaching someone else helps us learn, too.
- Patience is a gift when helping someone who is struggling.
- Reading aloud with expression makes stories come alive.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Why was Rahul nervous at first?
- How did Rahul help Lottie?
- What have you taught to someone younger than you?
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