Character (story)

Hello there. Have you ever touched tiny, little bumps on a sign or a book and wondered what they were? That’s me. I am a special secret code. You can read me with your fingers instead of your eyes. It feels like a pattern of little dots all in a row. Tap, tap, tap. I help people find their way and discover wonderful stories. Before I came along, some friends who couldn't see with their eyes found it hard to read books on their own. But I wanted to help everyone read. I am Braille.

A very clever and kind boy named Louis Braille made me a long, long time ago. When Louis was a little boy, he had an accident and couldn't see anymore. This made him sad because he loved to read big books and learn new things. He wanted to read stories all by himself. He heard about a special code that soldiers used at night. It was made of dots. On his 15th birthday, on January 4th, 1824, Louis had a wonderful idea. He decided to make a new code with just six tiny dots. He worked so hard, arranging the dots to make letters, numbers, and even music notes. He made me simple, so anyone could use their fingers to feel the words.

Today, I am all over the world. I am a helper. You can find me on buttons in an elevator to help you go up, up, up. I am on signs that tell you which room to go into. I help people who can't see with their eyes read their favorite fairy tales, learn their ABCs, and do their homework. I help them play fun games, too. I am a special way to share the magic of words with everyone. I show that no matter how we learn, everyone deserves to explore the amazing world of stories and ideas.