Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Nikki who loved to run and play. She was very curious about everything and always asked her father many questions.
One day, she asked her father, “Papa, why do I have a heart? What does it do?”
Her father smiled and said, “Your heart is very important, Nikki. It is like a pump that sends blood all over your body. Blood is like a river that carries oxygen and nutrients to your cells, and takes away carbon dioxide and waste. Your cells need oxygen and nutrients to stay alive and healthy, and they need to get rid of carbon dioxide and waste to avoid getting sick.”
Nikki was amazed and said, “Wow, that sounds amazing! How does the blood go all over my body?”
Her father said, “Well, your blood travels in special tubes called blood vessels. There are three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries are the big ones that carry blood away from your heart. Veins are the ones that carry blood back to your heart. Capillaries are the tiny ones that connect the arteries and veins, and let the blood exchange oxygen and nutrients with your cells.”
Nikki said, “That’s so cool! How does the heart know where to send the blood?”
Her father said, “Your heart has four chambers: two on the left side and two on the right side. The left side pumps blood to your body, and the right side pumps blood to your lungs. Your lungs are like balloons that fill up with air when you breathe in, and let out air when you breathe out. When the blood goes to your lungs, it picks up oxygen from the air and drops off carbon dioxide. Then it goes back to your heart, and then to your body again. This cycle keeps repeating as long as you are alive.”
Nikki said, “That’s amazing! Thank you for telling me, Papa. I love you!”
Her father hugged her and said, “I love you too, Nikki. You have a wonderful heart.”
Short stories for kids 