The Words That Repaired the Game — A Shared-Reading Picture Story
B16 · Ages 3–5 · Madarej Stories
Rami and Omar are two five-year-old friends. In this original fictional story, Rami learns that a truthful apology names the action and begins repair.
1. The bridge
Omar built a bridge from wooden blocks. He placed a little car at one end. “Ready!” he said.
2. What happened
Rami rushed past and caught his foot on the edge of the play mat. The bridge shook. Blocks tumbled everywhere. Omar asked, “Did you knock it down?” “No,” Rami answered too quickly.
3. An untruthful word
Omar began gathering the blocks by himself. Rami sat beside the little car, but he did not begin a new game. He knew his foot had pulled the mat.
4. An apology that names the action
Rami moved closer. “I need to correct what I said. My foot caught the mat, and the bridge fell. I’m sorry.” Omar said, “I wanted to test the car on it.” “I’ll help rebuild it,” Rami said. “And I’ll walk slowly near the mat.”
5. Repairing the cause
Rami flattened the edge of the mat and moved the car away from the walking path. Omar rebuilt the wide base, and Rami fitted the long pieces across the top. Together, they repaired both the bridge and the problem that had caused it to fall.
6. Play resumes
The words “I’m sorry” did not rebuild the bridge by themselves. Truth opened the way to repair it, and their hands did the rest. The car rolled safely across. The two friends clapped.
After the story
Question: What part did Rami name honestly in his apology?
Activity: Practise three sentences: This is what happened. This was my part. This is how I will repair it.
Download the English picture book (PDF)
Original fictional story inspired by the meanings of truthfulness, gentleness and repair in “The Best Character,” physical PDF pages 40, 46 and 47. It contains no historical report or direct quotation.