Toby the Tiger Learns the Power of His Words - A Children's Story

Toby the Tiger Learns the Power of His Words

By Bill Conley - America's Favorite Children's Storyteller

Moral to the Story:
Remember that words can lift someone up or break their heart, so think carefully before you speak and choose words that build kindness, because saying “always” and “never” rarely tells the whole truth, and using the word “hate” can hurt more than you know, so keep these words out of your mouth and speak gently instead, knowing that kind words bring people together, harsh words push them apart, and you have the power every day to help others feel loved just by choosing your words wisely.

In the shady jungle clearing of Willow Creek, a young tiger cub named Toby liked to roar and race and wrestle with his friends. Toby was brave, quick, and funny—everyone liked playing with him. But Toby had one little problem: his words sometimes got him into trouble.

It started one sunny morning when Toby was playing ball with Bella the Bunny and Ollie the Owl. Toby missed a kick, and the ball rolled under a bush. Bella giggled and said, “It’s okay, Toby! Let’s get it.”

But Toby growled, “You always laugh at me! You never help me when I need it!” Bella’s long ears drooped. Ollie blinked behind his glasses.

“That’s not true, Toby,” Ollie hooted softly. “Bella helped you find your hat just yesterday.”

But Toby crossed his paws and turned away. “Nope. She always laughs and she never helps.”

Bella’s eyes filled with tears. She hopped away to sit by herself under a shady tree. Ollie followed to comfort her. Toby sat alone with the ball, feeling grumpy.

Later that day, Toby’s mother called him for lunch. His plate was full of tasty fish and berries, but Toby pushed it away.

“I hate fish!” Toby grumbled. “I always have to eat things I hate. You never make my favorite berries!”

Mama Tiger looked at him with sad eyes. “Toby,” she said gently, “we must watch how we use our words. ‘Always’ and ‘never’ are heavy words—they feel too big for little truths. And ‘hate’ is a word that makes the heart small.”

Toby poked at his food. “But it’s true, Mama. I never get what I want.”

Mama Tiger chuckled softly. “Didn’t you just have a big bowl of your favorite berries two days ago? And don’t I pack your favorite berries in your lunch every week?”

Toby stopped. He thought about the sweet berries he’d eaten just last Thursday. Maybe Mama was right. Maybe never wasn’t really never at all.

After lunch, Toby padded outside. He found Bella still sitting alone. Ollie was perched on a branch above her, reading a book. Toby felt a swirl in his belly—part growl, part sorry.

“Hey, Bella?” Toby began, shuffling his paws. Bella didn’t look up. “I’m sorry I said you always laugh and never help. That wasn’t true.”

Bella peeked out from under her floppy ears. “It really hurt my feelings,” she whispered.

“I know,” Toby said. “Mama says always and never are heavy words. And I guess I used them wrong. I don’t really mean it.”

Bella’s nose twitched. “It’s okay, Toby. But… you say those words a lot.”

“I know,” Toby sighed. “I’m going to try to stop.”

Ollie closed his book with a wise nod. “Words can be like sharp claws, Toby. Or they can be soft like feathers. It’s up to us to choose which kind.”

The next day at the playground, Toby saw Max the Monkey trying to swing across the vines. Max slipped and fell into a pile of leaves.

Max yelled, “I hate vines! I never make it across! I always fall!”

Toby’s ears perked up. He padded over and sat beside Max. “Hey Max, my Mama says those words—always, never, and hate—make us feel worse. Want help trying again?”

Max sniffed and rubbed his elbow. “I just can’t do it.”

“Yes you can!” said Toby. “Remember yesterday? You made it halfway! That’s not never, that’s trying! And I bet you don’t really hate vines—you just don’t like falling.”

Max thought about it. “Maybe you’re right.”

Toby grinned. “Let’s try again. I’ll stand here and cheer you on!”

So Max grabbed the first vine, swung to the next, and this time made it all the way across. He whooped and laughed, landing in a happy heap on the soft grass.

“See?” Toby beamed. “You can do it. No more never.”

From that day on, Toby became the Word Watcher of Willow Creek. When someone said always, Toby would help them think—Is that really true? When someone grumbled never, Toby would ask, "Is there really no chance?" And when someone shouted hate, Toby would remind them—That’s a word that can hurt inside. Try another.

Toby even made up a rhyme for his friends:
“No more always, no more never,
Say what’s true, be kind, and clever.
Save hate for things that truly scare—
But better yet, don’t use it—care!”

One evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees, Toby sat with Mama Tiger under the stars. He told her about Bella and Max and how the jungle felt kinder now.

“I’m proud of you, Toby,” Mama Tiger purred, licking his ear. “You’ve learned the power of your words. And you’ve taught your friends too.”

Toby’s whiskers twitched. “I still mess up sometimes.”

Mama Tiger smiled. “We all do. But as long as we remember that words have weight, we can lift each other up instead of pulling each other down.”

Toby curled up beside her, warm and safe. He whispered to the stars, “No more always, no more never, and no more hate.” He closed his eyes with a smile, dreaming of a jungle full of soft words and happy hearts.

Moral to the Story Poem:
Words can heal or words can sting,
Think before the words you bring.
Always and never—they twist what’s true,
So speak with care in all you do.
“Hate” is heavy, let it go,
Kindness helps our friendships grow.
Speak with love in what you say—
And lift a heart up every day.