Benny the Beaver and the Boy Scout Motto - A Children's Story

Benny the Beaver and the Boy Scout Motto

By Bill Conley

Moral to the Story:
Being prepared isn’t just for scouts—it’s for everyone who wants to handle life with wisdom and care.
Thinking ahead helps us avoid problems and stay calm when surprises come our way.
From packing a snack to remembering your raincoat, being ready shows responsibility and respect.
Preparedness isn’t about fear—it’s about being smart, steady, and ready for anything.

Benny the Beaver lived by the river in a cozy wooden home made of sticks and mud. He was a happy little beaver with shiny teeth, big brown eyes, and a long flat tail. Benny loved swimming, building things, and most of all—being ready.

Benny always thought ahead. He packed snacks when he got hungry. He carried an extra sweater when it got cold. He kept a little bag with helpful things like string, bandages, a flashlight, and even a little leaf umbrella.

His friends thought it was funny.

“Why do you carry so much stuff?” asked Max the Mink one morning.

“Because you never know what might happen!” Benny said with a smile.

“But it’s sunny today,” said Ellie the Squirrel. “You don’t need an umbrella!”

Benny just smiled and said, “I like to be prepared!”

That day, the forest friends were going on a nature walk to Willow Hill. Benny, Max, Ellie, and Charlie the Chick all lined up at the big tree where the path began.

“Let’s go!” said Charlie. “I’m ready to fly!”

“I’m ready to run!” said Ellie.

“I’m ready to race!” said Max.

“I’m ready too,” said Benny, patting his backpack.

They walked through the tall grass, under leafy trees, and past singing birds. They stopped to look at ladybugs and butterflies. They picked wild berries and made leaf hats for fun.

But as they climbed higher toward Willow Hill, the sky started to change.

“Uh-oh,” said Charlie. “Is it getting darker?”

A big wind blew through the trees, and little raindrops began to fall.

“Oh no!” said Ellie. “It’s raining!”

“I didn’t bring anything,” said Max. “I’m going to get all wet!”

Benny quickly opened his leaf umbrella. “Don’t worry! I brought enough to share!”

He pulled out a little rain cape and gave it to Ellie. He handed Max a small towel. He even gave Charlie a dry leaf to sit under while they waited.

“Wow, Benny,” said Max. “You saved us!”

“You’re always ready,” said Ellie. “How do you do that?”

Benny smiled. “I think ahead. I try to be prepared—just like the Boy Scout motto!”

“What’s a motto?” asked Charlie.

“It’s something you remember that helps you do the right thing,” Benny said. “And the Boy Scout motto is: ‘Always be prepared!’”

“Ohhh,” said Ellie. “That’s smart.”

The rain stopped after a little while. The sun peeked out again, and the forest looked sparkly and fresh.

“Let’s keep going!” said Benny.

They walked to the very top of Willow Hill and found a big, smooth rock to sit on. From up high, they could see the river, the trees, and the rainbow shining in the sky.

“I’m glad we came,” said Charlie.

“Me too,” said Max. “Even if we got wet.”

“Next time,” said Ellie, “I’m going to bring my own backpack like Benny!”

Benny clapped his paws. “That’s a great idea!”

They all smiled and shared a snack from Benny’s bag—crunchy pine nuts, sweet berries, and even a little honey stick.

“I didn’t think about the rain,” said Max.

“Me neither,” said Ellie.

“That’s okay,” Benny said gently. “We learn by living. Next time, you’ll be ready.”

“Will you teach us how to pack?” asked Charlie.

“Yes!” said Benny. “We’ll make a list together. We can call it the Be Ready Team!”

Everyone cheered. “Yay! Be Ready Team!”

As the sun went down, they made their way back home. The trail was a little muddy, but Benny had extra socks for Max and a soft cloth to clean Charlie’s feet.

When they got to Benny’s house, he waved goodbye to his friends and went inside. He dried off his backpack, folded his rain cape, and put everything back in its place.

Then he whispered to himself, “Being prepared helps me help others. That’s what makes me happy.”

Benny climbed into his warm, soft bed, curled up with his tail, and smiled.

He was ready for tomorrow—no matter what it might bring.

Moral to the Story Poem:
Pack a snack and pack a hat,
Bring a light and things like that.
When you think ahead and plan each day,
You’re ready for fun in every way!

Moral to the Story Poem:
Being prepared helps you stay safe and strong,
It helps you fix things when something goes wrong.
It’s not just for scouts or when you go play—
It’s smart to be ready every single day.