By Bill Conley – America’s Favorite
Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
Kindness makes the world warmer, brighter, and full of friends.
Sweet words lift people up and help them grow strong inside.
Gossip and meanness only hurt hearts and break trust.
When you include others, you show true friendship and love.
Being sweet and kind brings smiles that last all day long.
We never know what someone feels—kindness makes it better.
It’s always better to say something nice or say nothing at all.
The best people lift others up, spread love, and welcome everyone in!
In the sunny fields of Clover
Hollow, where wildflowers bloomed and tall grasses swayed in the breeze, lived
a little meadowlark named Maisie. Maisie had a bright yellow belly, soft brown
feathers, and the sweetest, clearest voice in the whole meadow.
Maisie loved to sing. She’d perch on
the highest fence post every morning and fill the meadow with her cheerful
song. The rabbits, mice, and butterflies would gather around just to listen.
One warm morning, as Maisie was
singing her favorite song about sunshine and laughter, she noticed something
that made her little heart sink. Near the blackberry bush, Benny the Badger and
a few other young animals were standing in a tight circle, whispering and
giggling.
Maisie flew down closer. In the
middle of the circle sat Penny the Porcupine, her quills drooping and her eyes
looking at the ground.
Benny sneered, “Look at Penny’s
quills! They’re so messy and pointy. Who would want to play with a prickly
porcupine like her?”
The other animals giggled, but not
Maisie. Her wings twitched with worry. She flew right into the middle of the
circle and spread her feathers wide.
“Stop that!” Maisie chirped firmly.
“That’s not kind. Penny’s quills are beautiful and special, just like her.”
Benny rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on,
Maisie. We’re just having fun.”
“That’s not fun for Penny,” Maisie
said softly but strongly. She turned to Penny and gave her the warmest smile.
“Penny, would you come sing with me near the daisies?”
Penny’s eyes widened. “Really? You
want me to sing with you?”
“Of course!” Maisie said. “Your
voice is lovely. I’ve heard you humming when you think no one’s listening.”
Penny blushed, but her quills perked
up just a little. Together, they left the circle behind and went to the
daisies. Maisie sang her sweet melody, and Penny joined in, her soft hum
blending perfectly with Maisie’s notes.
From that day on, Maisie decided she
would always stand up for kindness. She knew words could hurt like thorns, or
heal like sunshine—she wanted hers to heal.
Whenever Maisie heard someone
gossiping about another animal, she’d flap her wings and say, “If we can’t say
something nice, let’s not say anything at all.” If someone tried to tease or
leave someone out, Maisie would chirp, “There’s room for everyone—come join
us!”
One afternoon, a new little fox
named Felix came to Clover Hollow. Felix was shy and nervous, and he sat alone
by the old oak tree while the other animals played tag.
Maisie noticed right away. She
landed beside Felix and sang him a soft tune. “Hi Felix! I’m Maisie. Do you
want to play with us?”
Felix looked at his paws. “I don’t
know anyone yet. What if they don’t like me?”
Maisie fluffed her feathers. “Then
they’ll get to know you! Come on—I’ll introduce you.”
She led Felix right into the middle
of the game. “Everyone! This is Felix. He’s our new friend. He’s really good at
running—just watch him go!”
The other animals welcomed Felix
with cheers. They made space for him in their circle, and soon he was laughing
and tagging and smiling widely.
Maisie felt her heart swell like a
happy song. She knew how much it mattered to include everyone—no one liked
feeling left out.
That night, Mama Meadowlark tucked
Maisie into her cozy nest high in the willow tree.
“I saw you today,” Mama said gently,
smoothing Maisie’s feathers. “You stood up for Penny. You helped Felix find
friends. I’m so proud of you.”
Maisie snuggled closer. “Mama, why
do some animals say mean things?”
Mama Meadowlark sighed. “Sometimes,
Maisie, animals feel small inside. They think making someone else feel smaller
will make them feel bigger. But it never does. Being unkind only makes their
own hearts lonelier.”
Maisie’s eyes were heavy with sleep,
but her heart was wide awake. “I want my heart to feel big, Mama. I want
everyone’s hearts to feel big.”
Mama kissed her head. “Then keep
singing your kind songs, sweet Maisie. Keep lifting others up. That’s how we
make the meadow bloom with goodness.”
The next day, Maisie woke up bright
and early. She perched on her favorite fence post and sang her sweetest song
yet. She sang about kindness and warm sunshine. She sang about words like hugs
that wrap around friends and make them strong.
One by one, the animals gathered
around—Penny the Porcupine, Felix the Fox, Benny the Badger (who looked a
little sorry for how he’d acted), and many more.
Maisie spread her wings and chirped,
“Let’s promise today to only say good things about each other. If we hear
someone gossip or tease, we’ll remind them to choose sweet words. And if we see
someone alone, we’ll invite them in.”
The animals nodded and chirped and
squeaked in agreement. They knew that when Maisie spoke, her words were true.
From that day on, Clover Hollow
became the kindest meadow for miles around. Gossip faded away like morning fog.
Laughter rose like a happy song. No one was left out. No one felt small or
alone.
Maisie’s voice was small, but her
kindness made it mighty. She taught her friends that every word we say is like
a seed—when we plant sweet ones, the world grows into a beautiful, loving
place.
Moral of the Story Poem:
Use kind words to lift and cheer,
Bring love and smiles to all who are near.
No gossip, teasing, or mean things said,
Let sweet words bloom and hate be shed.
Include each friend in every game,
Don’t leave them out, don’t cause them shame.
Kindness grows in hearts so wide,
So spread your love on every side!
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