Aisha's Helpful Hands

Aisha looked at her hands. They were small. Very small. "My hands are too little," she told Nani. "I can't help with anything."

Nani smiled. "Let's see about that. Come, help me in the kitchen."

Aisha helped Nani tear mint leaves for chutney. Her small fingers were perfect for picking the tiny leaves off the stems.

"See?" said Nani. "Your hands did that beautifully."

Then Aisha helped set the table. She put napkins at every place. She put spoons next to every plate. She even folded the napkins into little triangles.

"My hands did that too!" she said.

At school, Aisha helped her friend Fatima button her coat. Fatima's fingers were cold, but Aisha's small fingers popped each button through easily.

"Thank you, Aisha!" said Fatima. "Your hands are amazing!"

At home, Aisha helped baby brother Zain hold his bottle. Her hands were just the right size to guide his tiny fingers.

That night, Aisha looked at her hands again. They had torn mint leaves, folded napkins, buttoned a coat, and helped a baby.

"Nani, my hands aren't too little at all!"

"No, my jaan," said Nani. "Helpful hands are always the right size."

Aisha wiggled her fingers proudly. Tomorrow she would find even more things to help with.