Penny the Panda and the Promise Words
By Bill Conley—America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
When you say “you promised,” but it’s not true, it can make someone feel upset inside.
Promises are special words that should be used with care and honesty.
If you aren’t sure, ask nicely instead of saying someone promised.
Telling the truth helps maintain trust between you and the people you love.
Sometimes grown-ups can’t do what they hoped, and that’s okay too.
Kind words and listening ears help everyone feel good inside.
Little lies can make big problems, so always be honest with your words.
A promise is a promise only when it’s genuine!
In the cozy green corner of Bamboo
Grove lived a little panda named Penny. Penny loved to climb trees, munch sweet
bamboo, and curl up close to Mama Panda for warm cuddles. Penny was a happy cub
with a soft heart, but sometimes she used words that made big feelings happen.
One bright morning, Penny wanted to
go splash in the big pond. Mama Panda was sweeping the porch when Penny tugged
at her paw.
“Mama! Mama! You promised we’d go to the pond today!” Penny said,
blinking her big panda eyes.
Mama Panda paused. “Oh, Penny. I
said maybe we could go if we finished our chores. That’s not a promise,
my sweet cub.”
“But you promised!” Penny
huffed, crossing her furry arms.
Mama sat down, pulled Penny onto her lap, and brushed a bamboo leaf from
Penny’s head. “A promise is something very special, Penny. We only say "promise"
when we really mean "yes, for sure." If you say I promised when I didn’t,
it can make my heart feel heavy.”
Penny’s whiskers drooped. She didn’t
want Mama’s heart to feel heavy. She promised herself to remember next time.
After lunch, Penny played with Benny
the Bunny and Toby the Tiger. Benny asked, “Penny, let’s go to the flower
meadow! You promised you’d come with us!”
Penny stopped hopping. She thought
hard. She hadn’t promised—she had said maybe.
“I didn’t promise, Benny,” Penny said softly. “I said maybe. I can ask
Mama if I can go now.”
Benny’s long ears twitched. “Okay,
Penny! Let’s ask!”
Penny asked Mama nicely, and Mama smiled. “Thank you for telling the truth,
Penny. Now I see you’re learning how promise words work.”
Later that week, Penny sat at the
table with Papa Panda, coloring pictures of butterflies. Penny wanted a second
sweet treat. She pointed at the bamboo cookie jar.
“Papa, you promised I could have two cookies today!” Penny said, her eyes
wide and hopeful.
Papa Panda looked surprised. He
shook his furry head. “Oh, Penny. I don’t remember saying I promised. I said
you could have one cookie today.”
Penny puffed her cheeks. She really
wanted another cookie, but her tummy felt funny inside.
She poked her paw on the table and mumbled, “I guess you didn’t promise. I just
really wanted another one.”
Papa Panda patted her head. “Thank you for telling the truth, Penny. Want to
share an apple instead?”
Penny nodded, feeling proud that she fixed her words. She munched the apple
with Papa, happy and cozy.
One rainy afternoon, Penny and Mama
Panda were inside reading books. Penny wanted to stay up late that night.
“Mama! You promised I could stay up all night when it rains!” Penny
giggled.
Mama Panda laughed. “Oh, my silly
cub! I never promised that! Rainy nights are for cozy sleep, not for staying up
all night!”
Penny laughed too. She hugged Mama
Panda tight and said, “Okay, Mama. No more silly promises.”
They curled up together with a soft blanket and read until Penny’s eyes felt
sleepy.
That evening, Penny curled up under
her favorite blanket. She thought about her day. She learned that saying you
promised when it wasn’t true made things tricky. But telling the truth made
her feel warm and happy inside.
That night, Penny looked at Mama
Panda and said, “I promise to be honest and use my words the right way.”
Mama Panda gave Penny’s paw a
squeeze. “That’s a promise I love to hear, my sweet little panda.”
Moral to the Story Poem:
A promise is a promise true,
Not just words you wish or do.
If you’re not sure, ask instead,
Keep kind thoughts inside your head.
Truthful words build trust each day,
Little lies can slip away.
Speak with care in what you say,
Honest hearts show the best way.
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