The Golden Balloon

The Golden Balloon – “- But I’m a balloon just like you” , it said hesitantly to the round balloons that were looking from up high and were laughing. It was different from the rest, with a rare, almost gold colour. It had every right to be proud of its appearance but it had yet to realize how beautiful and special it was. A story about being different, being proud of who you are, and ignoring others who don’t appreciate you. The book includes some great activities to make from recycled items, and literacy exercises.

By: Athanasia Gaitanidou

Text and Images from The Golden Balloon

here were once in a warehouse ten beautiful shiny, full of colour balloons, all of the same round shape! They were inflated and tied up with cords fastened to a base. They were so beautiful! They even admired themselves in the mirror of the warehouse!

– How pretty we are! Look at all these colours!!

– I heard we are going to be decorating the party of a boy.

– We’ll surely dazzle the children that will be there!

One of the balloons looked down and saw something that attracted everyone’s attention.

– Hey, who are you? shouted the balloon to what it could see but could not make out.

– I’m a balloon too! it said from where it was, lying on the floor.

It was really different from the rest of them; long in shape and very thin, with a colour unlike the others, that of almost gold. It was inflated and abandoned on the floor.

– Ha, ha! Listen guys, it’s a balloon! answered one of the tied balloons and the rest of them burst into laughter.

– And what kind of balloon are you, all long and thin like this? How will the kids hold you and play with you?

– But I…

– Surely, the clown that inflated us moments ago made a mistake and that’s why he abandoned you. You must be the only one in the world with such a shape. Tough luck kid…

The balloon became very sad. It coyly looked one more time at the balloons hanging directly above it and felt discontent. Why should it have been created so different from the others? It started thinking that it was really ugly as well. It is unfair it thought, being a balloon that didn’t have a nice colour and could not be used in anything… There must have been a mistake at the manufacturing plant.

– And what kind of colour is this? It’s the first time that we have seen such a colour, went on mocking the round
balloons.

<end of sample>

Read more books with a lesson about Behaviour below. 

Chiu’s Powers - Chiu sees exciting things that others cannot – flying rockets and fish swimming on the blackboard. Ajji takes Chiu to the eye doctor to find out about her magical powers. Sample Text from Chiu’s Powers Chiu is late for school. But she cannot find her red bottle. Is that her bottle? Or is it a ...

There’s a Hole in my Galaxy - In the year 2563 Maya and her friend Ava borrow the family space ship for a trip to Pluto. Halfway there they have a battle with a black hole where they are almost sucked in. Along the way, we learn lots of facts about black holes. Sample text from There’s a Hole in my Galaxy ...

How to Cultivate a Passion for Reading in School Aged Children - Learning how to read is exciting for a child, then as they progress through school, reading is an essential part of learning, but what about reading for pleasure? Once something is categorized as a ‘must’ for school-aged children it can be difficult to help them reframe the activity. Reading is a good example of an ...

The best Free Educational Apps for Children - Some of the most challenging moments in life are keeping kids occupied, especially after closing school. That’s the main reason you give your kids phones, tablets, and other devices to play with and avoid getting bored. However, the main challenge is figuring out the apps that you need to install on the devices- apps that ...

The Three Little Kittens - A chase with a dog ends up in a humorous adventure. The three little kittens are running from a dog, so fast they don’t stop for anything, until they are trapped, will the dog catch them? Or will there be a happy ending? Sample Text from Three Little Kittens One day three little kittens meet ...

The Bee and the Elephant - A little bee has lost his home and asks an elephant to help him find it. Sample Text from The Bee and the Elephant “I am lost,” said Little Bee. “I cannot find my home!” “Can you please help me, Mr. Elephant?” “Is this nest your home, Little Bee?” the elephant asked. “Oh no!” cried ...

How to Help Your Kids with Homework Without Doing it for Them? - Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. As parents, your involvement in your child’s education will help improve their performance in school. But providing help in terms of your child’s homework is a different matter, and it isn’t a simple one. While it’s true that it’s essential for you to show support to ...

What Are The Best Books For Children To Help Them Learn, Read, And Write? - The evolution of humans has always implied good education and upbringing. Our children are the future and it is fair to say that all parents in the world know that. Kids are often unable to learn and master new things by themselves. That’s why they need proper guidance from their parents so they can grow ...

How to Plan a Fun and Educative Trip for Students - Teachers are far more than simply the tools to receive knowledge. Their responsibilities include creating a positive and friendly mood in the class, fostering respect, cooperation, and healthy competition among students, as well as preparing them for infinite opportunities that expect them beyond the school walls. It’s important to show students that they really can ...

Why Do Sunflowers Love the Sun? - Viveka wants to paint the sunflowers near her house, but they keep moving. Follow this story to find out the mystery of how the sunflowers change throughout the day. Sample Text from Why Do Sunflowers Love the Sun? Viveka wants to paint the sunflower field near her house. She looks at the sunflowers carefully one ...

Read more books about Values below. 

Chiu’s Powers - Chiu sees exciting things that others cannot – flying rockets and fish swimming on the blackboard. Ajji takes Chiu to the eye doctor to find out about her magical powers. Sample Text from Chiu’s Powers Chiu is late for school. But she cannot find her red bottle. Is that her bottle? Or is it a ...

There’s a Hole in my Galaxy - In the year 2563 Maya and her friend Ava borrow the family space ship for a trip to Pluto. Halfway there they have a battle with a black hole where they are almost sucked in. Along the way, we learn lots of facts about black holes. Sample text from There’s a Hole in my Galaxy ...

How to Cultivate a Passion for Reading in School Aged Children - Learning how to read is exciting for a child, then as they progress through school, reading is an essential part of learning, but what about reading for pleasure? Once something is categorized as a ‘must’ for school-aged children it can be difficult to help them reframe the activity. Reading is a good example of an ...

The best Free Educational Apps for Children - Some of the most challenging moments in life are keeping kids occupied, especially after closing school. That’s the main reason you give your kids phones, tablets, and other devices to play with and avoid getting bored. However, the main challenge is figuring out the apps that you need to install on the devices- apps that ...

The Three Little Kittens - A chase with a dog ends up in a humorous adventure. The three little kittens are running from a dog, so fast they don’t stop for anything, until they are trapped, will the dog catch them? Or will there be a happy ending? Sample Text from Three Little Kittens One day three little kittens meet ...

The Bee and the Elephant - A little bee has lost his home and asks an elephant to help him find it. Sample Text from The Bee and the Elephant “I am lost,” said Little Bee. “I cannot find my home!” “Can you please help me, Mr. Elephant?” “Is this nest your home, Little Bee?” the elephant asked. “Oh no!” cried ...

How to Help Your Kids with Homework Without Doing it for Them? - Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. As parents, your involvement in your child’s education will help improve their performance in school. But providing help in terms of your child’s homework is a different matter, and it isn’t a simple one. While it’s true that it’s essential for you to show support to ...

What Are The Best Books For Children To Help Them Learn, Read, And Write? - The evolution of humans has always implied good education and upbringing. Our children are the future and it is fair to say that all parents in the world know that. Kids are often unable to learn and master new things by themselves. That’s why they need proper guidance from their parents so they can grow ...

How to Plan a Fun and Educative Trip for Students - Teachers are far more than simply the tools to receive knowledge. Their responsibilities include creating a positive and friendly mood in the class, fostering respect, cooperation, and healthy competition among students, as well as preparing them for infinite opportunities that expect them beyond the school walls. It’s important to show students that they really can ...

Why Do Sunflowers Love the Sun? - Viveka wants to paint the sunflowers near her house, but they keep moving. Follow this story to find out the mystery of how the sunflowers change throughout the day. Sample Text from Why Do Sunflowers Love the Sun? Viveka wants to paint the sunflower field near her house. She looks at the sunflowers carefully one ...

Sponsored Links:

Note – if you sign up through these links, it doesn’t cost you any extra, but FKB receives a small donation, which helps us move towards our aim of
FREE Hardcopies!  

All our posts are checked by Grammarly, the FREE online grammar checker (We still receive a donation even if you only sign up for the free account :-):

This site is hosted by Bluehost:

Leave a comment (it won’t be public) if you want help getting your own website cost-effectively.