The school talent show was next Friday, and everyone was signing up. Some kids were singing. Some were dancing. One boy was doing magic tricks with cards.
Nate wanted to perform, but he did not know what his talent was. I am not good at anything special, he told his dad after dinner.
Dad thought for a moment. You are really good at telling jokes. People always laugh when you talk. Maybe you could do a comedy act.
Nate spent the whole week writing jokes in a notebook. He practiced telling them in front of the bathroom mirror until the timing felt right.
On Friday night, the auditorium was packed. Nate stood backstage and his hands were sweating. He wiped them on his pants and took three slow breaths.
When his name was called, he walked to the microphone. The spotlight was so bright he could barely see the audience. He opened his mouth and told his first joke.
The audience laughed. They laughed at the second joke even harder. By the third joke, people were wiping tears from their eyes. Nate could not stop smiling.
He did not win first place, but everyone told him he was their favorite act. Nate learned something important that night — being yourself is the best talent of all.