Amira and the Orphan Girl: A Heartwarming Story for Kids
Character Introduction:
- Amira – A kind-hearted but pampered girl who lives in a grand house with loving parents.
- Lina – A gentle and quiet orphan girl who lives in a small shelter nearby.
- Mama Hana – The caretaker of the orphanage, wise and loving.
- Amira’s Mother – A gentle woman who encourages Amira to think beyond luxury and to help others.
Prologue:
In a bright and peaceful town, there lived a girl named Amira who had everything—beautiful toys, fancy dresses, and all the sweets she could dream of. But one day, she saw a girl her age with no shoes, no toys, and the softest, saddest eyes. That moment stirred something deep in Amira’s heart.
Part 1: The Golden House on Jasmine Street
Amira lived in a tall, golden house on Jasmine Street. The windows sparkled in the sun, and the flowers in her garden smelled like candy. She had soft carpets under her feet, dolls lined up on shelves, and a swing that flew higher than the trees.
Every morning, Amira wore a new dress—blue with bows, pink with pearls, yellow with sunshine buttons. Her parents loved her dearly and gave her everything she asked for. Her lunchbox was always full of tasty treats: cheesy sandwiches, cupcakes with sprinkles, and sweet mango juice.
But deep inside her heart, Amira often felt something strange—a little emptiness she couldn’t name. She had toys, sweets, and a big house, but she didn’t have someone her age to laugh with, whisper to, or share her secrets with.
One sunny afternoon, as she played with her tea set in the garden, she heard a soft rustle beyond the tall garden gate. She tiptoed over, curious.
And that’s when she saw her—
A girl with dusty sandals and a faded scarf, standing outside the gate, looking in quietly.
Their eyes met for just a second.
Then the girl turned and walked away.
Amira blinked.
She didn’t know the girl’s name.
She didn’t know where she lived.
But something about her made Amira’s heart feel… awake.
Part 2: A Glimpse Through the Gate
The next day, Amira waited near the garden again. She didn’t play with her dolls or swing on her swing. She just watched the gate, hoping the girl with the faded scarf would come back.
And she did.
Just after noon, the girl walked slowly past the house, her eyes glancing shyly through the gate. Amira stood up straight. She smiled and waved.
The girl paused.
Then, quietly, she waved back.
Amira ran inside and grabbed a cupcake from the kitchen. She rushed back out and called, “Wait!”
The girl stopped. Her eyes were wide and unsure.
“Here,” Amira said, holding the cupcake through the gate. “It’s got strawberry jam inside.”
The girl stepped forward slowly. Her hands were small, her fingers a little dusty. She took the cupcake gently, like it was made of glass.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“What’s your name?” Amira asked.
“Lina,” the girl replied, her voice barely louder than the wind.
“I’m Amira. Want to meet me here again tomorrow?”
Lina nodded.
Then she turned and walked away, one bite already missing from the cupcake.
Amira watched her go, a flutter of happiness blooming in her chest. That night, for the first time in a long time, she slept with a smile on her face.
And her heart didn’t feel so empty anymore.
Part 3: The Sandwich and the Smile
The next afternoon, Amira packed something special in her lunchbox—an extra sandwich, neatly cut into triangles, just the way she liked it. One side was cheese, the other was jam. She added a juicy apple and two cookies, carefully wrapped in a napkin with pink flowers on it.
She waited by the garden gate again.
Right on time, Lina appeared.
Amira’s face lit up. “I brought something for you!”
Lina’s eyes sparkled as Amira passed the lunchbox through the gate. “All for me?”
“Yes!” Amira giggled. “We can have lunch together. You sit there—by the wall. I’ll sit here—by the flowerpot.”
They sat, just a few feet apart, one inside the gate and one outside. Birds chirped. The breeze smelled of roses. And the two girls shared lunch like they had done it for years.
Lina took small, careful bites. “This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had.”
Amira smiled wide. “My mama says food tastes better when you share it.”
For the next few days, this became their quiet little tradition. Amira brought something from her kitchen—sometimes a muffin, sometimes fruit, sometimes cookies. Lina always said thank you, and Amira always felt a warm flutter in her chest.
They talked about butterflies, clouds, favorite colors, and silly dreams. Lina loved drawing but didn’t have crayons. Amira promised she’d bring her some.
Though the gate still stood between them, it felt smaller each day.
And Amira began to understand something new—sharing didn’t mean losing something. It meant gaining something far more beautiful.
Part 4: The Hidden Shelter
One afternoon, Amira arrived early at the garden gate—but Lina didn’t come.
She waited. And waited.
The butterflies flew by. The birds sang. But there was no Lina.
Worried, Amira picked up her little basket of snacks and slipped out the front door. She had never gone far alone before, but something in her heart told her she needed to find her friend.
She walked carefully down the lane, past the flower shop, across the tiny footbridge, and around the old fig tree.
And there, behind a crumbling brick wall, she saw it—
A small, quiet building with a wooden sign that read: “Peace Home for Children.”
She peeked through the gate and gasped.
Lina was there! She was helping a younger girl tie her scarf, smiling softly as the little one giggled.
Amira pushed the gate gently. It creaked open. A kind woman in a faded green shawl looked up from watering the garden.
“Hello, dear. Are you lost?” she asked gently.
“No… I’m looking for my friend Lina,” Amira said.
“Ahh, Lina. You must be Amira,” the woman smiled. “She talks about you every day.”
Amira blushed.
The woman introduced herself as Mama Hana, the caretaker of the orphanage. She had warm eyes and hands that smelled like jasmine and soap.
Inside the small building, Amira saw beds lined up neatly, shelves of worn-out books, and a few toys patched and loved.
Lina ran to her and hugged her tight. “You came!”
“I was worried,” Amira said. “You didn’t come today.”
“I was helping Mama Hana. Fridays are laundry days,” Lina explained.
Amira looked around. Everything was simple, small, and quiet. But she also saw laughter, kindness, and love in every corner.
She sat with Lina under a big tree and shared the snacks she had brought.
And in that moment, Amira realized something:
Her friend didn’t have much, but she had the biggest heart.
Part 5: The Big Heart Inside the Small Room
Amira visited the shelter more often after that day. Her mother, kind and gentle, supported her visits and even helped her pack extra snacks, clothes, and storybooks to share.
Every time Amira arrived, the children would rush to the gate with cheerful smiles and waving hands. They loved her colorful dresses and how she read stories using funny voices. But most of all, they loved how she treated them—as real friends.
One afternoon, as Amira and Lina sat on a soft rug drawing pictures, Lina said quietly,
“I’ve never had a birthday cake.”
Amira dropped her crayon. “Never?”
Lina shook her head. “We don’t have money for things like that. But Mama Hana says our smiles are better than candles.”
Amira’s heart felt full and heavy at the same time.
That night, she couldn’t sleep.
She looked around her bright, cozy room—full of soft toys, pretty clothes, and blinking fairy lights. But her thoughts were with Lina…and her uncelebrated birthday.
The next morning, Amira told her mother everything.
Her mother smiled warmly. “Do you want to do something special for Lina?”
Amira nodded. “Yes. I want to share what I have. I want to make her feel special.”
Her mother kissed her forehead. “That’s a beautiful wish, Amira. Let’s make it happen.”
Together, they made a list:
- A small birthday cake
- Balloons and ribbons
- Two matching dresses—one for Amira, one for Lina
- A bag of gently used toys for the other children
- A surprise gift… something truly special
Amira thought for a long time… then she knew exactly what that surprise should be.
Part 6: A Gift from the Heart
The next Friday, Amira arrived at the shelter with her mother—and a big basket covered in bright cloth. Lina ran to greet her, but stopped in surprise.
“What’s all this?” she asked, eyes wide.
Amira grinned. “It’s a party. For you.”
Lina blinked. “For… me?”
Amira nodded. “Happy birthday, Lina.”
The children gathered around, clapping and giggling as balloons were tied to trees and ribbons hung on the fence. Mama Hana brought out paper plates, and Amira’s mother placed the small, lovely cake on a table.
Lina’s eyes sparkled. “I’ve never had a cake with my name on it before.”
Amira held out a box. “And now, you have this too.”
Lina opened it carefully. Inside was a soft, beautiful doll with silky brown braids and a tiny purple dress.
Lina gasped. “It’s beautiful…”
Amira smiled. “She was my favorite. I’ve had her since I was little. But now she belongs to you.”
Tears welled up in Lina’s eyes. “But… she’s so special.”
“You’re special too,” Amira said softly. “And when we give from the heart, it makes everything more beautiful.”
The children cheered. Mama Hana clapped. And Lina hugged the doll tightly, as if it were made of magic.
That evening, as the sun dipped behind the rooftops, Amira and Lina sat side by side in their matching dresses, watching the stars appear.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy,” Lina whispered.
Amira squeezed her hand. “Me neither.”
They didn’t need a palace.
They didn’t need golden toys.
They had friendship, love, and the joy of giving—and that was the greatest gift of all.
Conclusion
“Amira and the Orphan Girl” is a heart-touching short story for kids about the power of empathy, kindness, and selfless giving. Through Amira’s journey from comfort to compassion, children learn that true happiness comes not from having everything, but from sharing with those who have little.
Even a simple sandwich, a smile, or a small gift can brighten someone’s entire world. Just like Amira, we can all become better, happier people by opening our hearts to others.
Moral of the Story
Caring for orphans and sharing what you have brings true joy and closeness to Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“I and the one who takes care of an orphan will be together in Paradise like this,”
— and he held his two fingers together.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 5304)
Giving from the heart and helping those in need is one of the noblest acts in Islam—and in life.
FAQ
1. Who are the main characters in this short story for kids?
Amira, a kind rich girl, and Lina, a sweet orphan, are the main characters.
2. What does Amira learn in the story?
She learns the value of empathy, friendship, and giving to others.
3. Is this story suitable as a goodnight story?
Yes! It’s calming, meaningful, and perfect to read before bedtime.
4. What is the Islamic lesson in the story?
It teaches the reward of caring for orphans, as shown in the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ.
5. Can this short story help children learn to be grateful?
Yes! It gently shows children the beauty of sharing and appreciating what they have.
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