Tiny Troubles: Nelli's Purpose
From Reading Rainbow · 2025
35 minK1st2ndReading & Writing (ELA)ScienceSocial-Emotional Learning
Summary
Host Mychal Threets reads a story about Nelli, a small bee who wonders what her purpose is in the hive. Through her journey she discovers how every creature — no matter how tiny — plays an important role in the natural world.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Nelli the bee wonders if she matters — and discovers she matters a great deal.
- Why does Nelli feel unsure of her purpose at the start?
- What does she contribute to the hive and to nature?
- What does a bee actually do to help plants and food grow?
- What is one thing you do that helps your family, class, or community — even if it seems small?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: purpose, pollinator, hive, ecosystem, contribute.
Try it: Draw a flower and a bee visiting it. Write one sentence explaining what the bee is doing and why it matters.