By Bill Conley
Moral of the Story:
Faith is not just for sunny days—it’s for the storms too. True trust means
believing God is near, even when life feels dark, cold, or uncertain. The Lord
often uses trials to test our hearts and strengthen our faith. And when we
choose to believe, even in the rain, we shine like a light for others to
follow.
In the wide golden grasslands of
Savannah Valley lived a gentle young gazelle named Gracie.
Gracie had graceful legs, soft eyes,
and a heart full of joy.
Every morning, she bounded across
the plain, thanked the Lord for the sunshine, and said her little prayer:
“Thank You, Lord, for this day. Help me walk in Your way.”
And every night, before curling
beneath the acacia trees, she’d whisper,
“I trust You, Lord. Always.”
Gracie loved sunny days best.
She’d leap through the grass, chase
dragonflies, and snack on sweet leaves with her friends.
But one morning, everything changed.
Dark clouds covered the sky. The
wind moaned low, and the birds flew close to the ground.
Rain began to fall.
Drip. Drizzle. Drop.
Soon the grass turned soggy. The
trees bent in the wind. The earth turned to mud.
Gracie peeked out from under a rocky
ledge. “Looks like no exploring today,” she said softly.
But the rain didn’t stop.
It rained all that day… and the
next… and the next.
Her favorite sunny spot disappeared
beneath a pool of muddy water.
“Gracie,” said Leo the Lemur, “the
water’s rising. We have to climb to higher ground!”
Gracie nodded. She helped little
ones cross streams, guided the elder animals up the hill, and made space for
everyone beneath a rocky ridge.
The wind howled. The food grew
scarce. And at night, the animals huddled for warmth.
Gracie looked at the sky and
whispered, “Lord, I trust You. But this storm feels big.”
By the fifth day, thunder cracked
above them. The little ones were shivering, and the older animals were growing
weary.
Gracie’s heart began to tremble.
“What if the storm never ends?”
She sat in the shadows and felt a
tear roll down her cheek.
That’s when she saw someone waddling
her way.
It was Mabel the Meerkat—old and
wise, with a crooked smile and warm eyes.
“Why so quiet, little one?” Mabel
asked.
“I pray every day,” Gracie said. “I
trust the Lord… but this storm won’t stop. What if He’s forgotten us?”
Mabel sat beside her and took her
hoof in her tiny paw.
“Sweet Gracie,” she said, “faith
isn’t just for the sunshine. It’s for the storm. This is not punishment—it’s a
test. The Lord wants to see if we’ll trust Him, even when the skies are dark.”
Gracie blinked. “A test?”
Mabel nodded. “When the Lord sees
our trust in hard times, it makes our faith strong. He is still with us—even
now.”
Gracie looked up at the gray clouds
and whispered, “I still trust You, Lord. I believe You’re near.”
That evening, Gracie stood before
the huddled animals.
“I know you’re cold. I know you’re
tired. But we are not alone,” she said. “The Lord is with us—even now. Let’s
hold on to hope.”
The animals bowed their heads and
began to pray.
Then they sang soft songs of faith
under the rainy sky.
Drip... drip… the rain began to slow.
That night, for the first time in
days, the stars peeked through the clouds.
By morning, the sky turned bright.
The sun rose like a promise.
And over the plain arched the
biggest, brightest rainbow Gracie had ever seen.
“Look!” she cried. “The Lord
remembered us!”
Cheers filled the air. Animals
danced in the puddles.
Grass began to rise again. The air
smelled sweet and clean.
Gracie trotted to her favorite
hilltop—dry once more.
She stood tall and prayed, “Thank
You, Lord, for being with us in the storm. Especially in the storm.”
Later that week, Mabel the Meerkat
gave Gracie a polished river stone tied with a string of woven grass.
“This is for you,” Mabel said. “To
remind you of your faith.”
Gracie tilted her head. “But I
didn’t do anything special.”
Mabel smiled. “You believed. That’s
the most special thing of all.”
From that day forward, whenever
clouds gathered in Savannah Valley, the animals would find Gracie.
She would sit with them, smile
gently, and say:
“Storms don’t mean the Lord is gone.
Sometimes, they are just a test of trust. Keep believing. He is always, always
near.”
And the little gazelle who once
feared the rain became a quiet light for everyone to follow—through every
trial, every tear, and every storm.
Moral Poem to End the Story:
Faith is not for sunny skies—
It’s made to stand when hard times rise.
Trust the Lord through storm and test,
He’s by your side—He knows what’s best.
Conversation Starters for Parents
and Older Readers:
1.
Can you
think of a time when something felt hard or scary, but you chose to trust God
anyway?
2.
Why do you
think storms—or challenges—can help our faith grow stronger?
3.
How can
you be like Gracie and encourage others when they feel scared or unsure?
About the Author
Bill Conley is a dedicated storyteller, life coach, and faith-filled guide whose heartfelt children’s stories have brought smiles and timeless lessons to families everywhere. As the author of hundreds of moral-rich tales, Bill believes in planting seeds of kindness, gratitude, responsibility, and faith in the hearts of children while they’re young. His signature style weaves simple yet powerful truths into colorful adventures with animal heroes, each story crafted to teach values that last a lifetime.
Bill’s passion for writing comes from his own journey, years of experience as a father, grandfather, mentor, and devoted husband. He understands that children need stories that do more than entertain; they need stories that shape character, spark imagination, and open conversations between parents and kids.
Whether he’s writing about a brave little beaver, a wise turtle, a fast cheetah, or a gentle cloud that forgets how to rain, Bill pours his love for faith, family, and old-fashioned values into every word. He knows that small lessons today become big strengths tomorrow.
In addition to his books, Bill is a certified life coach who has helped countless people build stronger relationships, grow in faith, and navigate life’s storms with confidence and hope. His words encourage children and grown-ups alike to be kind, stay positive, honor commitments, and always believe they are enough.
When he’s not writing, Bill enjoys spending time with his three daughters and two grandchildren, sharing laughter and lessons across generations. He also finds joy in serving his church and community, living out the very values he writes about so passionately.
Bill Conley’s greatest hope is that every story will help families build warm memories together—reading aloud, asking questions, and inspiring children to grow into caring, courageous, and thoughtful adults.
He invites you to keep reading, keep talking, and keep believing that the smallest good things we do can change the world for the better.
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