Harriet Tubman

Hello, my name is Harriet Tubman, but my family had a special name for me. They called me Minty. A long time ago, around the year 1822, I was born on a big farm in a place called Maryland. I had so many brothers and sisters. We were a big, loving family and we cared for each other very much. When I was a little girl, I loved to play outside. I would run through the green woods and listen to the birds sing their sweet songs. At night, I loved to look up at the sky. The stars were like glitter sprinkled all over a big, dark blanket. They were so beautiful and they made me dream of big things.

As I grew up, I wanted to be free. I wanted to be like a bird that could fly anywhere it wanted to go. So one day, I decided to be very, very brave. I started on a long, long walk. I could only walk at night when it was very dark, so no one would see me. I was a little scared, but I looked up at the sky and found my favorite star. It was called the North Star, and it shined so brightly. I followed that shiny star every night. After many nights of walking, I finally made it to a place called Philadelphia where I was free. I felt so happy. But I missed my family, and I made a promise to myself that I would go back and help them be free, too.

I kept my promise. I became a helper on a secret path to freedom called the Underground Railroad. They called me a "conductor," like someone who helps people on a train. I went back to get my family again and again. It was scary, but helping them made me feel strong and brave. I helped my brothers and my sisters and my parents. I also helped many other friends find their way to freedom, always following that bright North Star. I lived a long, long life helping people. Then, I grew very old and my time on Earth was over. Remember that even when you are scared, you can be brave. Helping others is one of the most wonderful things you can do.