Tomorrow was show-and-tell day. Owen sat on his rug and hugged his knees. His tummy did a little flip.
He was a shy boy. Standing up in front of the whole class was the scariest thing he could think of. And what could he even bring?
Show-and- Tell
That evening, Grandpa came to Owen's room. He held out his old brass compass — the very one he took on all his adventures.
“Show them this,” Grandpa said with a wink. Owen took it gently. His eyes went wide.
At school, the other kids showed neat things. One had a robot. One had a shiny soccer trophy.
Owen sat on the carpet and held the compass tight in his lap. His heart went thump, thump, thump. His turn was coming soon.
“Owen, you're next!” said his teacher. He stood up and walked to the front. His hands shook a little.
For a moment, he could not find any words at all. Then he remembered Grandpa and all his adventures.
Owen showed how the little needle always points north. He told how Grandpa used it in the tall mountains and the deep woods.
The whole class leaned in close. Then hands shot up all over the room, full of questions!
Owen sat back down. He was glowing all over, from his head to his toes.
Being brave had felt so hard. But sharing something he really loved had made every bit of it worth it.