Layla’s Gentle Words: A Lesson in Speaking Kindly

Character Introduction

• Layla – A bright and thoughtful girl who wants to do the right thing, even when she feels upset.
• Nimra – Layla’s best friend, cheerful and energetic but sometimes too quick to react.
• Sarah – A classmate who accidentally starts an argument at school.
• Miss Hiba – Their kind teacher who gently reminds students about good character.

Prologue

Layla loves her Islamic Studies class, especially when they learn about how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always spoke with kindness. But one day at school, something happens that tests her patience—and her words.

Part 1: The Recess Surprise

Layla skipped down the school hallway, her backpack bouncing behind her. It was a sunny Tuesday, and she was especially excited because her class was starting a fun group project.

Layla had already made plans to work with her best friend Nimra. They were going to build a model of the solar system using colored paper and sparkly stars.

At recess, Layla and Nimra sat under the shady tree by the playground. They talked about their ideas and laughed while drawing designs in their notebooks.

“I’ll make the sun super bright,” said Nimra, holding up a yellow crayon proudly.

“And I’ll do the planets! Saturn will have rings made of golden thread,” Layla beamed.

Just then, Sarah, a quiet girl from their class, walked over. She looked a little nervous. “Hi… um, I already told Miss Hiba I wanted to be in your group. She said it was okay.”

Layla blinked. “Oh… she did?”

Sarah nodded. “Yeah. I even brought some stickers for the project. See?” She held out a pack of glittery stars.

Nimra’s face changed. “But we already planned it! You didn’t even ask us.”

“I’m sorry,” Sarah said softly. “I just thought…”

“Well, you thought wrong,” Nimra snapped. “This was our idea first.”

Layla felt her heart thump. She looked at Sarah’s hopeful face, then at Nimra’s frown. She didn’t know what to say. Her cheeks felt warm. Her hands tightened around her notebook.

Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “I just wanted to help.”

There was a moment of silence.

Layla could feel something bubbling inside her—confusion, surprise, maybe even anger. Why didn’t Sarah tell them earlier? Why did Miss Hiba agree without asking them?

Her mouth opened to speak.

But then she stopped.

Part 2: The Storm Inside

Layla’s heart pounded like a drum. So many thoughts rushed through her head.

Why didn’t Sarah ask first? Why did Miss Hiba allow this without telling us? And now she’s acting like we were being mean?

Nimra crossed her arms tightly. “This isn’t fair. We already planned everything. Now she wants to join and change it?”

Layla took a deep breath and looked at Sarah again. She noticed something she hadn’t seen before—Sarah was holding the sticker pack with both hands, and they were slightly shaking.

A small voice inside Layla whispered, She’s not trying to ruin anything. She just wants to be included.

Still, Layla’s own frustration bubbled like a storm cloud. Her fingers tingled with the urge to shout, “You should have told us before!”

She almost did.

But in that moment, her thoughts drifted back to something she had learned in Islamic Studies class just last week.

Miss Hiba had said, “The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never used harsh words. He spoke gently even when correcting someone. A companion once said the Prophet ﷺ never said anything unkind, even to those who made mistakes.”

Layla remembered how peaceful she had felt hearing that. How kind words could heal, and harsh words could hurt deeply.

She slowly closed her notebook and placed it in her lap.

“I’m really mad,” Layla whispered to herself, “but I don’t want to say something I’ll regret.”

She took another deep breath. The storm in her chest didn’t disappear—but it got quieter. A little calmer.

Then she looked at Nimra and said gently, “Let’s ask Miss Hiba again. Maybe she thought it would be good for the three of us to work together. We can figure it out.”

Nimra’s eyes widened. “But she didn’t even ask us.”

“I know,” Layla nodded, “but Sarah did bring ideas. And maybe… maybe it’s not as bad as we think.”

Sarah’s eyes flicked up, surprised.

Layla hadn’t yelled. She hadn’t snapped.

She had spoken gently, even when her heart felt tight.

Part 3: Choosing Kindness

Miss Hiba rang the bell, calling the students back into class. The playground chatter faded as everyone took their seats. Layla sat quietly, her mind still spinning. Nimra muttered beside her, clearly unhappy, while Sarah sat a few chairs away, silent and looking down at her desk.

As Miss Hiba began talking about the group project, Layla slowly raised her hand.

“Yes, Layla?” the teacher asked with a warm smile.

“Um…” Layla glanced at Nimra, then at Sarah. “I wanted to ask… if it’s okay that Sarah joins our group? Nimra and I had planned things, but I think we can work together—all three of us.”

There was a quiet pause in the classroom.

Nimra looked at Layla with wide eyes. Sarah stared in surprise. Even Miss Hiba seemed caught off guard for a second.

Then the teacher smiled gently. “Layla, that’s a very kind and mature thing to say. I know it’s not easy to change plans. But including others, especially with kind words, shows strong character. I’m proud of you.”

Layla felt a tiny glow in her chest.

She turned to Nimra and whispered, “We’ll still make Saturn with the golden thread. And Sarah can help with the stars.”

Nimra hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “Okay. But I get to glue the sun!”

Sarah leaned over, her voice shy but bright. “I can cut out the moons! I have silver paper at home.”

Layla smiled. Just moments ago, they were upset and frustrated. But now, the air around them felt lighter—like someone had opened a window and let fresh breeze in.

It wasn’t magic.

It was kindness.

And it had started with just a few gentle words.

Part 4: A New Example

By the end of the week, the classroom was filled with colorful models of planets and stars. Some hung from strings, others were displayed on boards. But the one made by Layla, Nimra, and Sarah sparkled the most.

Golden rings circled Saturn. The sun beamed in bright yellow with glued rays. Tiny silver moons twirled beside blue-and-green Earth. A shower of glittery stars danced across the sky.

When Miss Hiba saw their project, she clapped her hands with delight. “This is wonderful teamwork! I can see everyone’s efforts.”

She turned to Layla and added, “And I want to say something special—Layla, the way you handled the group situation was a beautiful example of good character. Speaking kindly, even when upset, is not easy. But it’s the Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed us how to use gentle words in difficult moments. And you followed his way.”

Layla’s cheeks turned pink, but her heart swelled with joy.

After class, Nimra nudged her playfully. “Okay, okay… I admit it. I’m glad Sarah joined. She made cool stickers for Neptune!”

Sarah grinned. “And Layla kept the peace like a wise judge.”

They all laughed.

As they packed up their bags, Layla looked around the room. Some kids were still figuring out how to share, how to listen, how to be kind.

But maybe today, someone else had seen what a gentle voice could do.

And maybe—just maybe—they’d try it next time too.

Conclusion

Layla could have shouted or stayed angry. But she remembered the Prophet’s ﷺ gentle way and chose to speak kindly. Her choice not only solved a problem—it also brought hearts closer together. Sometimes, the softest voice has the strongest power.

Moral of the Story

Speaking kindly, even when you’re upset, is a sign of strong character and faith.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known for his gentle speech. As a companion said:

“The Prophet ﷺ never used foul language, nor did he ever speak harshly. He always spoke gently and kindly—even when correcting someone.”
—(Sahih Bukhari)

FAQ

1. Why did Layla feel upset during recess?
Because she and Nimra had planned their project, and Sarah joined without asking first.

2. What helped Layla choose kind words instead of shouting?
She remembered how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always spoke gently, even in hard situations.

3. What happened when Layla used kind words?
It calmed the situation, included Sarah, and helped them work happily together.

4. What did Miss Hiba say about Layla’s choice?
She praised Layla for showing good character by following the Prophet’s ﷺ example.

Do check the other stories too.