# Helping the Blind Man

- Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/
- Published: 2026-10-30T02:32:55+05:30
- Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI

[English Language Lab](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/)/[Stories for Kids](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)/
[Kindness & Friendship](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/)/
Helping the Blind Man

✦An original story about asking before helping

# Helping the Blind Man

When Anya meets Mr Sen on a changed garden path, she learns that useful help begins
with a question and the other person’s directions.

📖 4-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Respectful help and listening

[Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/#sf-story-text)
[More kindness & friendship](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/)

![A blind man uses a white cane and lightly holds a grandmother’s offered elbow 
while a girl walks beside them on a quiet garden path.](https://thecuriosi.com/wp-
content/uploads/2026/10/helping-the-blind-man-illustration-v2.png)

**Ask, listen, then help**Read together · Retell · Imagine

Settle in and read at your pace

A story to read together

## Helping the Blind Man

Take your time. Let the story unfold.

Anya knew Mr Sen from the neighbourhood music group. He played the drum, remembered
everyone’s favourite song, and often arrived before she did. Mr Sen was blind and
used a white cane when walking. One morning, Anya and Grandma met him near the shared
garden. The usual entrance was closed for repairs. A new sign pointed towards another
gate, but the words were far above the path.

Chapter one

### A hand held back

“I will take you!” Anya said, stepping forward. Grandma gently reminded her to ask
first. Anya stopped before touching Mr Sen’s arm. “Would you like help finding the
other gate?” she asked. “Yes, please describe what has changed,” he replied. Anya
explained the closed entrance and the temporary path. Mr Sen asked which side the
other gate was on and whether the path was clear. He already knew the garden well.
What he needed was information about the change, not someone deciding his whole 
journey.

Chapter two

### His way of walking

Grandma asked whether he would like to walk with them. “I would like to take your
elbow on this unfamiliar part,” Mr Sen said. Grandma offered her arm and let him
choose his hold. They walked at a pace he found comfortable. Anya stayed alongside
and described the low turn near the flowerpots. She did not pull his cane or rush
ahead. At the turn, Mr Sen asked another question. Anya looked carefully before 
answering. Saying what she could actually see was more useful than guessing.

Chapter three

### A better message

At the gate, Mr Sen thanked them. “The changed route needs a clearer message,” he
said. Anya asked the garden keeper whether they could help. Mr Sen suggested giving
advance notice to regular visitors and keeping the temporary walkway clear. The 
keeper listened and arranged a clearer entrance notice and a way for visitors to
ask for directions. Anya helped move an empty pot that had narrowed the path. There
were many ways to make a place easier to use, and Mr Sen had ideas about them.

Chapter four

### The next song

At music group that evening, Anya could not remember the opening beat of their new
song. Mr Sen tapped it slowly, then waited while she tried. She got it wrong twice.
On the third try, her hands found the rhythm. Afterwards, she told Grandma that 
helping had felt different that morning. She had not needed to know everything. 
She had needed to ask and listen. Across the room, Mr Sen began another tune. “Ready?”
he called. This time, Anya knew exactly how she wanted to join in.

The end

### Story path

[01A hand held back](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/#sf-chapter-1)
[02His way of walking](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/#sf-chapter-2)
[03A better message](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/#sf-chapter-3)
[04The next song](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/kindness-and-friendship/helping-the-blind-man/#sf-chapter-4)

### Word basket

**route**the way from one place to another

**temporary**lasting for a limited time

**describe**to explain what something is like

**rhythm**a pattern of sounds and beats

**Read it together**

This is an original story about one person’s preferences, not a guide to what every
blind person wants. Ask before touching or guiding someone and follow their answer.
The characters use a quiet garden path, not a road crossing.

## After the final page

There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.

Remember

What information did Mr Sen ask for?

Think

Why did Anya wait before touching his arm?

Imagine

How did Mr Sen help the group later?

**Make something:** With a partner, practise asking “Would you like help?” and accepting“
No, thank you” as well as “Yes.” Do not use blindfolds or pretend to know another
person’s experience.

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