Timmy the Tiger Cub Learns the Gift of Time
By Bill Conley
Moral of the Story:
The greatest gift we can give someone is our time, because time means
attention, presence, and care. When we give someone our time, we’re saying,
“You matter to me.” Time spent with others builds love, trust, and memories
that last forever. Unlike toys or treats, time is something we can never get
back, so giving it is one of the most meaningful ways to show love.
In the sun-dappled jungle of Willow
Wilds, a bouncy young tiger cub named Timmy lived with his busy tiger family.
Timmy loved playing hide and seek,
chasing butterflies, and inventing new games with his jungle friends.
But more than anything, Timmy wished
he could spend more time with his dad.
Every day, Timmy’s dad left early to
patrol the jungle trail and didn’t come home until the stars were twinkling.
“Can we play when you get home
tonight?” Timmy asked one morning.
“Maybe,” his dad said. “If I’m not
too tired.”
That night, his dad returned and
gave Timmy a quick pat on the head before heading straight to bed.
Timmy’s shoulders drooped. “All I
wanted was some time,” he whispered.
The next day, Timmy visited Grandma
Tigra, who was weaving jungle vines into a hammock.
“Grandma,” Timmy asked, “why is
everyone always so busy? Doesn’t anyone have time anymore?”
Grandma looked up with kind eyes.
“Time is the most valuable thing we have, Timmy. We only get so much of it—and
once we spend it, we don’t get it back.”
“Then why don’t we give it to the
ones we love the most?” Timmy wondered aloud.
Grandma Tigra smiled and patted the
grass beside her. “We forget. We think chores and plans are more important. But
love grows strongest when we give others our time.”
Timmy sat beside her for a while,
letting her words settle into his heart.
Later, Timmy spotted Benny the
Baboon and Lila the Leopard cub playing in the mud near the river.
“Wanna play?” he called.
“I can’t,” Benny grumbled. “My mom
says I need to clean the leaves off the cave floor.”
“I’m busy too,” Lila added. “My
dad’s teaching me how to stalk quietly.”
Timmy sighed. No one seemed to have
time for anything anymore.
So he walked to the edge of the
jungle where the stars were just starting to peek out.
He sat on a flat rock and whispered,
“I just wish someone would spend time with me.”
A soft rustle came from behind, and
to his surprise, it was his dad.
“Mind if I sit?” his dad asked.
Timmy’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
His dad nodded. “I finished early
tonight, and I realized something important. I’ve been so focused on everything
I need to do… that I forgot the most important thing is just being
with you.”
They sat side by side on the rock,
watching fireflies dance above the tall grass.
Timmy leaned against his dad and smiled.
“This is the best night ever.”
The next morning, Timmy decided to
try something new.
He found Benny the Baboon still
sweeping leaves.
“Hey Benny, want some help?” Timmy
offered.
Benny looked surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve got time. Let’s get it
done so we can play.”
Together, they made fast work of the
sweeping and spent the rest of the afternoon jumping in leaf piles.
Then Timmy saw Lila sitting by
herself, her ears low.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My dad’s too busy to finish our
lesson today,” she said quietly.
Timmy grinned. “Wanna play hide and
seek? I’ve got time.”
Lila perked up. “Yes! Thank you.”
All afternoon, Timmy played, helped,
listened, and laughed.
And with every moment he gave,
something wonderful happened.
His friends smiled more.
They talked more.
And they felt loved—just because
someone had given them the gift of time.
That night, Timmy sat with Grandma
Tigra again.
“I think I understand now,” he said.
“Time isn’t just about minutes or hours—it’s about people. It’s about
showing someone they matter.”
Grandma smiled. “That’s exactly
right, Timmy.”
Timmy’s dad joined them, and
together they watched the sunset in peaceful silence.
And that weekend, something new
began.
Timmy’s family started “Together
Time”—an hour every evening where no one worked, no one cleaned, and no one
left.
They simply sat, played, talked, or
walked together.
Sometimes it was silly.
Sometimes it was quiet.
But it was always special.
And for Timmy, those moments became
the most treasured part of every day.
From then on, he gave his time
freely.
To his friends.
To his family.
Even to the quiet creatures who just
needed a listening ear.
Because Timmy the Tiger Cub had
learned something not everyone learns:
The most important thing you can
give someone…
Is your time.
Moral Poem to End the Story:
You can’t wrap it or tie it with a string,
But time’s the most important thing.
It shows you care, it builds love true—
So give your time to those near you.
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