“e”

This is “e.”

“e” is a quiet little guy.

“The shyest letter in the alphabet,” the other letters would say.

But, “e” was happy being “e.”

He liked hanging out with the other letters without having to say anything, unless, of course, he felt like making an exception. 

The other letters knew how important “e” was. And, sometimes, “e” liked to remind them.

“Someone has to make you guys stand out,” “e” would say to “a,” “i,” “o,” and “u,” and sometimes “y.” 

“You’re right,” they’d say. 

“Without “e,” no one could be brave,” said “a.”

 “No one could smile,” said “i.”

“No one could move,” said “o.”

“No one could be surprised,” said “u.”

“And there would be a lot less ‘uns’ in this world,” said “u.” “What are ‘uns’?” said the others. “You know, nothing could be unplanned or unnoticed; unsafe or untrue. 

You see,” said “u,” there would be very little use for me.”

“What about me?,” said “y?” “There aren’t many words that start with me, so ‘e’ let me take his place at the end of a lot of words. 

I know it’s kind of sneaky,” said “y.”
“And tricky,” said the other letters.
“But, it’s, well, really kind of you,” said “a” and “i.”
“Nicely done,” said “o” and “u.“
“Thanks,” said “e,” shyly.” 

So, it was clear that “e” had an extremely important job, and he did it really well. 

He just liked to do it quietly…most of the time.

You see, sometimes, like all of us, “e” had something to say and he wanted everyone to hear.

So, once in awhile, little “e” would stand up really tall, like this – E – and say something like “Excellent!” or “Enough!” It was all very exciting! 

But, all in all, “e” was most comfortable finishing a word, or simply being part of one, rather than starting it or being left on his own.

In fact, when “a,” “i,” “o,” “u” and “y” got their own letter sounding word, “e” said, “no thanks,” which is why you’ll find:    

a being “a”
i being “I”
o being “oh”
u being “you”
and y being “why”
but, alas, no word for “e.”

When the other letters asked, “are you sure you don’t want your own word?” “e” always responded the same way: 

“I always feel better when I’m with another letter.”

Now, sometimes, when “e” is feeling a little less shy, and wants to be heard a little more than usual, he hangs out at the end of a two or three letter word like me, he, she or the. Of course, nothing makes “e” feel braver than when he is next to another “e” like in three or tree.  But “e’s” favorite place to be is in the middle of a word with another “e.” That way, when “e” and “e” meet and greet someone, they do it together. 

But, as much as “e” enjoys hanging out with other “e’s,” his best friend is “a.” 

It all started one very wordy day when “a” looked a little gloomy. “What’s the matter?” said “e.” “Sometimes,” said ‘a,’ I just don’t want to be first. It’s a big responsibility, you know, this whole first letter of the alphabet thing. 

Sometimes, I just don’t feel like saying anything.” 

And that’s when “e” – being the good friend that he is – said, “I’ll go first. Of course, it can’t be every word, but it can be some really popular ones – like earth, eat, ear, eagle, easy, each and east– just to give you a rest. “ And that’s just what they did. 

Now, when “e” and “a” hang out in the middle of a word, “e” still goes first, and you can still hear him. But, when “e” is by himself in the middle of a word, it gets harder and harder – you have to listen very well.

But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you simply cannot hear the letter “e.” When that happens, you really have to look, because he’s totally and completely quiet. In fact, that’s how he got his nickname “silent e.”

Of course, this is only true until a story is over. Because “e” always gets the last word.

The End