Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story

On the school bus, she read her mom’s note:

Dear Mrs. Penworth,

This will be Lailah’s first time fasting for the month of Ramadan so it is an exciting time for us.

Please excuse Lailah from lunch for this special month

Thanks!

Mrs. Malik

Lailah didn’t fee so bouncy anymore. What if Mrs. Penworth didn’t know about Ramadan? No one else would be fasting with her. She folded the note into a teeny tiny square and hid it in her book bag.

Lailah walked slowly to her class. Her throat felt dry all morning. When lunchtime arrived, she still hadn’t given Mrs. Penworth her note.

“Lailah, did you forget your lunch?” asked Mrs. Penworth.

Lailah opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Samantha volunteered, “I’ll share my lunch with Lailah!”

Mrs. Penworth shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, Samantha, but Lailah, please get a sandwich from the cafeteria.”