Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Differences
Peace, Friendship, and Goodwill Week
Reading Comprehension for October 26
If it hadn't been for the extra credit offered, the boys would not have attended the workshop to promote peace, friendship, and goodwill in their community. It had taken a little arm-twisting by their teachers and parents before each one had agreed to come. Those four boys entered the large, sunny room and looked suspiciously at the adults and other students who had already gathered there.
All the workshop participants sat at a round table. Paul slipped into a wooden chair and leaned back, his arms folded across his chest. He looked around at the others from beneath heavy lids. It was like a meeting of the United Nations. This isn't going to work, he thought. He briefly made eye contact with the swarthy teen sitting across from him, but after an uncomfortable moment, each looked past the other to study the pale yellow walls adorned with posters promoting world peace.
After the introductions had been made, the boys had a clearer idea of their differences. Paul glanced back at Hakeem. He was a devout Muslim. Since Paul was a committed Christian, there was no way they could be friends. Then there was Jacob in his blue and red striped shirt. He was Jewish. Paul didn't mind him so much, but he imagined that Jacob and Hakeem would be natural enemies. Finally, among all the others sat Sigmund, a vocal atheist. In Paul's opinion, Sigmund's long nose quivered with antagonism. With a heavy sigh, Paul wished he were on the basketball court with his friends instead of being here with this group. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. What a waste of time.
"Now that we've covered your major differences," the heavyset host said, "let's see if we can discover your similarities. That is the first step in understanding each other. How are you all alike?"
"We're all guys," Paul remarked during the silence that followed the question.
Hakeem snickered.
The host, Mr. Edmunds, seemed content to wait for the boys to respond properly. The boys looked uncertainly at each other.
"Um . . . I like pizza," Jacob offered shyly. Around the table, boys nodded in agreement. Ice cream, soft drinks, nachos, and other favorite foods gave them something in common.
"I guess a lot of us like sports," Sigmund remarked thoughtfully. Yes, that was certainly true. Some of the boys smiled at each other.
"All right, nobody laugh," said Hakeem as he looked defiantly at Paul, "but I love my family."
Paul felt ashamed that he hadn't thought of that answer first. All the boys agreed that they loved their families. It made perfect sense that they would have that in common.
"I get angry at injustice!" Paul blurted out.
