Let’s go through each paragraph one by one to find the symbol and what it represents.
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Paragraph 1:
Sarah is lost and doesn’t know whether to go to college or join the army. She talks to her counselor, Mr. Murray. Outside his window, an owl hoots. Then Mr. Murray says, “Fear not. I can show you the way,” and Sarah feels better.
Even though Mr. Murray helps her, the *owl* is mentioned right before he speaks — and owls are often used in stories to mean wisdom or guidance. The owl didn’t actually talk, but its presence sets the mood for Mr. Murray giving wise advice. So the owl is the symbol here.
→ Symbol:
the owl
→ What it represents:
wisdom or guidance (because owls are traditionally seen as wise, and it appears just before helpful advice is given)
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Paragraph 2:
Dina feels stuck — she wants to go to school and see the world, but she has to work and pay rent. She looks out her tiny room’s window. Her pet bird is singing in its cage. She feeds it seeds through the bars and sings a lullaby.
The bird is in a cage — just like Dina feels trapped by her responsibilities. The bird can sing, but it can’t fly free. That matches how Dina feels: she has dreams, but she’s held back.
→ Symbol:
the caged bird
→ What it represents:
feeling trapped or unable to follow your dreams (just like Dina, the bird is confined even though it wants to be free)
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Paragraph 3:
A judge is listening to a lawyer argue a case. He has a scale on his bench — the kind that balances. He rests one hand on his jawline and another on the scales while thinking about his decision.
Scales are a classic symbol in courts — they represent fairness, balance, and justice. The judge touching them shows he’s weighing both sides carefully.
→ Symbol:
the scales
→ What it represents:
justice or fairness (because scales are used to weigh things equally, just like a judge should weigh evidence fairly)
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Final Answer:
1. Symbol: the owl → Represents: wisdom or guidance
2. Symbol: the caged bird → Represents: feeling trapped or unable to follow your dreams
3. Symbol: the scales → Represents: justice or fairness
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of symbolism worksheet for middle school.
