By Bill Conley
Moral
of the Story:
Being prepared means thinking ahead,
being responsible, and respecting your time—and other people’s time, too. When
you plan your day, set reminders, and stay on schedule, everything runs
smoother, and you feel proud of yourself. Being on time shows kindness,
maturity, and that your word matters. A little planning each day leads to big
success and confidence in life.
In the chilly town of Pebble Bay,
there lived a penguin named Percy.
Percy was friendly, clever, and full
of ideas—but he had a habit of being late.
Late to school. Late to practice.
Late to dinner.
He always had a reason.
“I couldn’t find my other boot!”
“I forgot we had spelling homework!”
“I didn’t know what time we were leaving!”
His mom gently reminded him, “Percy,
you need to plan ahead.”
Percy would nod… but the next day,
the same thing would happen.
One morning, Percy woke up with a
jolt.
“Oh no! I overslept!” he squawked.
He threw on mismatched socks,
spilled his cereal, and raced out the door—with his backpack half-zipped and
his lunch still on the counter.
At school, his feathers were
ruffled, and his math homework was missing.
Miss Seal gave him a look. “Percy,
this keeps happening. Let’s talk after class.”
At recess, Percy sat with Miss Seal
on the bench.
“Percy,” she said kindly, “you’re
smart and capable—but you’re not setting yourself up for success.”
Percy sighed. “I try. I just
forget stuff or run out of time.”
Miss Seal nodded. “Do you use a
checklist?”
“A what?”
She handed him a little notepad with
the words Penguin Planner on the cover.
“This is where you write what you
need to do and when. You can even draw little pictures or set reminders on your
ice pad.”
Percy blinked. “That… actually
sounds fun.”
That evening, Percy made his first
plan.
He wrote:
1.
Pack lunch
2.
Lay out clothes
3.
Put the math book in the backpack
4.
Set alarm for 7:00 a.m.
He even added a drawing of himself
arriving at school with a big smile.
“I hope this works,” he whispered.
The next morning was different.
Percy got up on time. His clothes
were ready. His lunch was packed.
He walked into school early
for the first time ever.
Miss Seal smiled widely. “Look who’s
ahead of schedule!”
Percy beamed.
Throughout the week, Percy kept
planning.
He added reminders like “Practice
piano” and “Feed Goldie the fish.”
He set timers on his ice pad to buzz
before each big task.
And he started asking questions
like, “What do I need to bring tomorrow?” and “What time should I leave to be
on time?”
Everything felt easier.
Then came Project Day.
Each student had to present
something they had made, and be ready at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
Percy planned all week.
He built a model igloo out of
marshmallows, wrote a report, and packed it in a box the night before.
He set two alarms and asked his mom
to check in, just in case.
At 8:55, Percy stood at the front of
the room, smiling proudly.
“You’re first!” said Miss Seal.
Percy presented clearly and
confidently.
The class clapped. Miss Seal gave
him a gold star for “Preparation & Punctuality.”
He’d never felt prouder.
After school, Milo the Moose asked,
“How’d you get so organized?”
Percy showed him his planner.
Milo grinned. “Can you help me make
one too?”
“Of course!” Percy said.
Soon, more classmates joined. They
called it “Plan Club.”
Each day, they shared tips, wrote
lists, and helped one another stay on track.
One morning, Percy forgot to charge
his ice pad.
“Oh no! My reminder didn’t go off!”
he gasped.
But because he’d written his
checklist the night before, he still got everything done.
“That’s why planning on paper and
with tools is smart,” he told his friends.
They all nodded.
That weekend, Percy helped organize
the school cleanup day.
He made a schedule, packed supplies,
and reminded everyone to be on time.
The event went perfectly.
At the end, Miss Seal handed him a
ribbon that said:
"Reliable, Responsible, and
Ready!"
That night, Percy looked at his
planner before bed.
It was filled with doodles, check
marks, and tiny success stories.
He smiled and thought, “I’m not the
‘late penguin’ anymore. I’m Percy the Planner.”
And from that day forward, Percy
stayed ahead—not because he rushed, but because he prepared.
Moral
Poem to End the Story:
Think ahead and plan your day,
Be on time and never delay.
A little prep can save you time,
And help your life stay in rhyme!
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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