Andy the Armadillo Learns to Be Thankful - A Children's Story

Andy the Armadillo Learns to Be Thankful

By Bill Conley – America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:
Wanting what others have can steal the joy from what’s already yours. It’s better to be grateful for the special things you already have at home. When you’re thankful, you see how rich your life really is. You don’t have to copy others to be special; being yourself is enough. Going to the store is about helping the family, not begging for treats. Respecting your parents shows love and makes them proud of you. You can enjoy shopping trips by being kind, patient, and helpful. True happiness comes when you say, “I have enough, and I am enough.”

In the sandy burrows just outside of Cloverleaf Town lived a young armadillo named Andy. Andy loved his cozy burrow, his collection of shiny rocks, and his favorite red scarf that Grandma Armadillo had knitted for him.

But Andy had a little habit. Whenever he saw another animal with something new—like a bigger toy, a tastier snack, or a shinier backpack, he would get a twisty feeling in his tummy and say, “I want one too!”

One bright morning, Andy’s friend Milo the Mole scurried over to show Andy his brand-new racing car toy. It had flashing wheels and a button that made real engine noises.

“Wow!” Andy gasped. “Milo, that’s amazing! I want one too! Mama! Mama!” Andy ran inside. “Mama, can I have a racing car like Milo’s? Please? Please?”

Mama Armadillo put down her basket of fresh-picked berries and looked at Andy gently. “Andy, you already have your rock collection and your puzzle set. You don’t need Milo’s toy to be happy.”

Andy crossed his little paws and pouted. “But Milo has one, so I should, too.”

Mama Armadillo knelt beside him. “Wanting what others have will never fill your heart, sweetheart. Being grateful for what you have will.”

Andy didn’t really understand, but he nodded and went back to playing. He tried to be happy, but the twisty feeling still buzzed in his tummy.

A few days later, Andy and Mama went to the Cloverleaf Market. Andy loved riding in the shopping cart. But every aisle seemed full of colorful candies, shiny toys, and bright boxes that called out to him.

“Mama, can I have that chocolate bar?” Andy asked as they passed the candy shelf.

“Not today, Andy,” Mama said kindly.

“Can I have that big bouncy ball? Or maybe that coloring book? Please?”

Mama stopped the cart and looked him in the eye. “Andy, we’re here to buy what the family needs—bread, fruit, and things to make supper. It’s not polite to ask for treats every time we come to the store.”

Andy’s shoulders drooped. “But I just want one thing. Milo always gets something when he goes shopping.”

Mama took his paw. “Other families do things differently. It doesn’t mean we love you less. It means we choose what’s best for you and our family.”

Andy thought about that as they finished their shopping. On the way home, he peeked at the empty space in the cart where a toy could have been. He felt the twisty feeling again.

That night at bedtime, Mama sat on Andy’s little bed and stroked his furry head. “Andy, do you know what makes you special?” she asked.

Andy shrugged. “My red scarf?”

Mama chuckled. “Yes, that too. But what makes you special is you. Not your toys, or candy, or new things. Just you, your kind heart, your laugh, your funny songs, and how you help me pick berries. Those things can’t be bought in a store.”

Andy looked at his rock collection on the shelf. Each rock reminded him of an adventure—finding one by the creek with Papa, another under the big oak tree with Grandma.

He hugged Mama tightly. “I guess I do have a lot, huh?”

“You do, my love,” Mama said. “And when we’re at the store, the best thing you can do is stay patient, be helpful, and say ‘thank you’ for what we do bring home. That shows you’re grateful, and that makes my heart so happy.”

Andy thought about Milo’s racing car. He thought about his own puzzles, his scarf, and his rocks. He thought about how happy Mama looked when he smiled instead of pouting.

The next day, Andy saw Benny the Bunny bouncing a brand-new ball in the park. The twisty feeling tickled his tummy again, but Andy took a deep breath. He walked over and watched Benny bounce the ball high into the air.

“That’s a great ball, Benny!” Andy said. “Do you want to play hide-and-seek later? I can show you my rock collection too!”

Benny’s ears perked up. “That sounds fun, Andy!”

They spent the whole afternoon laughing, hiding behind tree trunks, and showing off their favorite things. Andy realized he didn’t need a ball like Benny’s—he just needed his own joyful heart and his friends.

That weekend, Mama took Andy back to the Cloverleaf Market. Andy rode in the cart, looking at all the candy and toys. But this time, he didn’t ask for any. Instead, he helped Mama pick out the ripest oranges and held the shopping list proudly.

At the checkout, Mama leaned down and whispered, “Thank you for being so kind today, Andy. You make me so proud.”

Andy beamed. He realized the best gift of all was not in the candy aisle or the toy shelf—it was Mama’s smile, his cozy burrow, and the love that wrapped around him like his soft red scarf.

And from that day on, whenever Andy felt that twisty feeling bubble up, he’d whisper to himself, “I have enough. I am enough.” And he meant it, right down to his little armadillo toes.

Moral of the Story Poem:
When you wish for what your friends may own,
Remember the treasures you have at home.
A thankful heart sees life’s real gold.
In love, in family, in stories told.
In stores, be patient, polite, and sweet.
Kind words and smiles are a greater treat.
You don’t need things to be bright and true—
You have enough just being you!