Once upon a time, there was a shaft that was so deep it went all the way to the center of the Earth. At the bottom of the shaft lived a cruel and spiteful archer named Glum.

Glum lived alone and was very grumpy, always shooting arrows at anyone who came near him. One day, a monk came to the shaft looking for a lost warrant. The monk asked Glum for help, but Glum was in a bad mood and shot an arrow at the monk.

The monk was not hurt, but he was very upset. He decided to teach Glum a lesson by showing him kindness. Every day, the monk would bring Glum food and water and talk to him about happiness.

Slowly but surely, Glum began to change. He stopped being cruel and spiteful and became happy and kind. Everyone in the shaft was amazed at the transformation, and Glum became known as the friendliest archer in the land. The end.

Reflections

1. Why was Glum always grumpy?
2. What did the monk do to help Glum become kind?
3. How did Glum's personality change?
4. Why do you think the story is called "The Shaft of Kindness"?