Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Nikki who loved to explore the world around her. She liked to touch, smell, taste, hear and see different things and learn new facts. She wondered how she could do all these amazing things.
One day, she asked her father, “Papa, how can I feel the softness of the fur of my teddy bear? How can I smell the flowers in the garden? How can I taste the sweetness of the honey? How can I hear the birds singing? How can I see the colors of the rainbow?”
Her father smiled and said, “Well, Nikki, you can do all these things because you have a very special system in your body called the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of tiny cells called neurons that send messages to and from your brain and other parts of your body. Your brain is like a big boss that controls everything you do, think and feel.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing!” Nikki exclaimed. “But how do the neurons send messages?”
Her father explained, “The neurons have long branches called axons and dendrites that connect with each other like wires. When you touch something, like your teddy bear, some neurons in your skin sense the pressure and send a message to your brain through your spinal cord, which is like a big cable that runs from your head to your back. Your brain then sends a message back to your muscles to move your hand and hug your teddy bear. This happens very fast, so fast that you don’t even notice it.”
Nikki was amazed. She touched her teddy bear again and felt its softness. She said, “So, my neurons are talking to each other right now?”
Her father nodded and said, “Yes, they are. And they are also talking when you smell something, like the flowers in the garden. Some neurons in your nose pick up the scent and send a message to your brain, which tells you what kind of flower it is. And when you taste something, like the honey, some neurons in your tongue detect the sweetness and send a message to your brain, which makes you enjoy the flavor. And when you hear something, like the birds singing, some neurons in your ears catch the sound waves and send a message to your brain, which lets you recognize the song. And when you see something, like the colors of the rainbow, some neurons in your eyes capture the light rays and send a message to your brain, which shows you the image.”
Nikki was fascinated. She smelled a rose and identified its fragrance. She tasted a spoonful of honey and savored its taste. She listened to a bird and recognized its tune. She looked at the sky and admired its beauty.
She said, “Papa, thank you for telling me about the nervous system. It’s so amazing! I’m so happy I have it!”
Her father hugged her and said, “You’re welcome, Nikki. I’m happy too. The nervous system is not only amazing but also very important. It helps you learn new things, remember them, express yourself and feel emotions. It also helps you stay safe by warning you of danger or pain. It’s a gift that you should take good care of.”
Nikki agreed and said, “I will take good care of it, papa. I will eat healthy food, drink enough water, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. I will also be kind to myself and others and have fun with my friends and family.”
Her father smiled and said, “That’s wonderful, Nikki. I’m proud of you. You’re a smart and curious girl who loves to explore the world with your nervous system.”
And they lived happily ever after.
Short stories for kids 