Iron Ore

Deep, deep down in the quiet earth, I was sleeping. I am a heavy, reddish-brown rock. For a very, very long time, I kept a big secret inside me. It was a super-strong and shiny secret. People walked on the ground above me, but they didn't know I was there. They didn't know about the amazing thing I could do. I was just a quiet rock, holding my strong secret and waiting to be found. I wondered if anyone would ever discover what was inside of me. It was a very special secret, stronger than anything they had ever seen before.

Then, a long, long time ago, people found me. This was during a time called the Iron Age, which started so long ago, around the year 1200 BCE. They discovered that a super, super hot fire could wake up my secret. Whoosh. The fire was bright and warm, and it made me glow. Slowly, my secret came out. I am Iron Ore. And my secret is strong, shiny iron. People were so happy. With my strong iron, they could make new things. They made strong tools to help them dig in their gardens and grow yummy food. They made strong tools to help them build cozy houses. My iron was stronger than anything they had used before. It helped them so much.

Guess what. I am still helping you today. My strong iron is used to make something even stronger. It is called steel. Look all around you. Do you see a car driving down the street. That's me. Do you see a super tall building reaching for the sky. That's me, too. Your refrigerator that keeps your snacks cold has my steel inside. Even little things, like the spoon you eat with or a tiny paper clip, are made from me. I am a treasure from the earth, and I love helping to build your amazing world every single day. I am happy I get to be so strong for you.