Answer:
empathetic and adventurous.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story "The Difficult Path" by Grace Lin revolves around the life of a young girl called Lingsi who was sold off to a rich family at very tender age.
The circumstances she had to go through being sold off and growing up as a servant in the Li family implores empathy for her sad condition.
Nevertheless, the story also embarks an adventurous journey about Lingsi's life. Alhough she gets kidnapped by the pirates, her ability to read and write paves a new path for her. She frees herself from the shackles of Li family and lives a free life with the pirates.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the tone of the story is empathetic and adventurous at the same time.