85. The Hard Truth

Harold loved to draw. His love for drawing started when he was five years old. He went to a museum when he was five years old and was fascinated by all the drawings. 

His mom told him that maybe someday his art would be up on the walls. Since then, he had drawn something every day. However, there was one big problem. Harold was not good at drawing. He wasn't terrible, but he was definitely average.

Harold is now 10 years old, and for five years his parents and friends have been telling him how great he is. Harold believed them. At school, he saw a flyer for a drawing competition among 5th graders. 

The theme was environmental awareness. The 1st place winner would get $100. Harold was super excited when he saw the flyer. It was a chance for him to show off his skills.

Harold told his parents about the competition. His mom and dad nervously looked at each other. They didn't want him to find out that he was actually not a good artist. They told Harold what they really thought of his artwork. "So you don't think I'm good?" he asked. They shook their heads. 

Harold was so upset that he tore up his art. He locked himself in his room. At night, his parents went to his room to give him his dinner. "Son, we feel really bad. We think it's great that you want to keep drawing, so your mother and I decided to sign you up for art lessons," Harold's dad said. Harold ran up to his parents and gave them a hug.

Vocabulary Words

1. Loved – had a strong affection for
   Harold loved to draw.

2. Fascinated – very interested or amazed
   He was fascinated by all the drawings.

3. Museum – a place where art and historical items are shown
   He went to a museum when he was five.

4. Drawings – pictures made with pencil, pen, or crayon
   He was fascinated by all the drawings.

5. Artwork – a piece of creative visual expression
   They told Harold what they really thought of his artwork.

6. Average – not bad but not great; ordinary
   He wasn’t terrible, but he was definitely average.

7. Flyer – a paper advertisement or announcement
   He saw a flyer for a drawing competition.

8. Competition – a contest to win something
   It was a drawing competition among 5th graders.

9. Environmental awareness – understanding how to protect nature
   The theme was environmental awareness.

10. Theme – the main idea or subject
    The theme was environmental awareness.

11. Excited – very happy and eager
    Harold was super excited when he saw the flyer.

12. Skills – abilities or talents
    It was a chance for him to show off his skills.

13. Nervously – in a worried or uneasy way
    His mom and dad nervously looked at each other.

14. Actually – really or truly
    They didn’t want him to find out he was actually not a good artist.

15. Upset – sad or disappointed
    Harold was so upset that he tore up his art.

16. Tore up – ripped into pieces
    He tore up his art.

17. Locked – closed with a key or latch so others can’t enter
    He locked himself in his room.

18. Decided – made a choice or plan
    We decided to sign you up for art lessons.

19. Art lessons – classes that teach how to draw or paint
    We decided to sign you up for art lessons.

20. Hug – to hold someone in your arms to show love
    Harold ran up to his parents and gave them a hug.

Comprehension Questions

1. What did Harold love to do?

2. When did Harold first become interested in drawing?

3. What inspired Harold to start drawing every day?

4. How good was Harold at drawing?

5. How long had Harold been drawing?

6. Who told Harold he was a great artist?

7. What did Harold see at school?

8. What was the theme of the drawing competition?

9. What was the prize for 1st place in the competition?

10. How did Harold feel when he saw the flyer?

11. Why were Harold’s parents nervous?

12. What did Harold ask his parents after they told him the truth?

13. What did Harold do when he felt upset?

14. Where did Harold go after tearing up his art?

15. When did his parents talk to him again?

16. What did Harold’s parents say to him that night?

17. What did they offer to help Harold improve?

18. How did Harold react to the news about the art lessons?

19. What does “tore up” mean in the story?

20. What lesson can we learn from Harold’s experience?