Benny the Badger Learns to Be Mindful
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of
the Story:
Being mindful of the little things—like turning off lights when you leave a
room—is a sign of respect for the home and the ones who pay the bills. Wasting water, running the faucet too long, or letting it drip without fixing
it might seem small, but over time, it can waste gallons and cost real money. Leaving the door open when the air conditioner or heater is running lets all
that precious energy slip outside, and you wouldn’t throw away money, so don’t
throw away heat or cool air either. Parents work hard to keep the house running smoothly, and small acts of care
show big gratitude for everything they do.
Even if you’re just “going right back in,” take the second to turn off the
light—it saves energy, helps the planet, and teaches discipline. We all share responsibility in making a home comfortable, affordable, and cared
for. Doing your part isn’t just helpful—it makes you feel proud and grown up because
you’re contributing to the family's well-being.
So, whether it's a light, a faucet, or a door, every little click or twist
matters more than you know.
Benny the Badger lived in a cozy underground
den in the wooded valley of Willow Glen. His family worked hard—his dad built
tunnels for other forest animals, and his mom baked and sold fresh berry pies.
Benny was a curious, cheerful little badger, always full of energy. But he
wasn’t always the most mindful badger.
Every day, Benny would hop from room
to room in their den, flipping on lights and forgetting to turn them off.
“Benny,” his mom would call gently,
“if you leave the lights on in every room, the fireflies in the lanterns get
tired! And it costs us extra bark coins to keep them glowing.”
“Oh, I’ll turn them off later,”
Benny would say with a shrug as he rushed off to the next activity.
Later that afternoon, he went to
brush his teeth and let the water trickle and run as he danced and sang in the
mirror.
“Benny!” his dad called from the
next room. “Don’t let the water run, son. We have to pump it from the well, and
every drop matters.”
“I forgot,” Benny mumbled, turning
it off. “It’s just water, Dad.”
Then on a warm summer day, Benny ran
outside to play with his friend, Frankie the Fox. He forgot to close the den’s
front door behind him.
His mom quickly came to shut it.
“Benny, sweetie,” she said with a sigh, “We’re not cooling the forest! Close
the door so we don’t lose all the cool air we’ve worked so hard to bring in.”
Benny felt a little bad, but it
didn’t stop him for long. He was always so busy running around that he didn’t
see how these little things added up.
That evening, the whole family sat
down for dinner.
His dad looked a little tired. “The
utility mice came today,” he said, stirring his stew. “Our firefly lantern bill
is double last month’s, and we’ve used twice the water.”
Benny’s ears twitched.
“Is it because of me?” he asked.
His mom and dad didn’t want to blame
him, but they nodded gently.
“It’s not just you, Benny,” his mom
said kindly, “but you do play a big part. And we want you to understand how
important it is to care for our home.”
Benny’s little sister, Bella, chimed
in. “I always turn off the lights after Benny leaves a room!”
Benny’s cheeks flushed. “I didn’t
realize it cost so much,” he said quietly. “I thought it was just light and
water.”
His dad reached over and patted his
paw. “It’s okay, son. It’s a learning moment. Everything we use—light, water,
warm or cool air—it all takes energy. And energy takes time, effort, and
money.”
That night, Benny lay in bed
thinking about what his parents said. The next morning, when he woke up, he
turned off his bedroom lantern before leaving the room.
When he brushed his teeth, he only
turned on the water to rinse.
And when he ran outside to play, he
stopped, turned around, and closed the door firmly behind him.
Later that day, when his dad came
home, he looked around the den and smiled. “It’s cooler in here today. Did
someone remember to close the door?”
Benny grinned. “I did!”
“And the bathroom floor’s not all
wet,” his mom added. “You must’ve turned off the water.”
Benny nodded again.
“I’m growing up,” he said proudly.
“And growing up means helping out.”
His parents gave him a big hug.
From that day forward, Benny became
the most mindful badger in the valley. He even made up little rhymes to help
him remember:
“Lights off when I leave the room,
Faucets off, not full of zoom,
Doors closed tight, not open wide,
I’ll keep our comfort safe inside!”
And when other young animals came
over to play, Benny showed them how it’s done.
“Want to know a secret?” he’d say.
“Being thoughtful saves more than money. It saves your family stress. And it
makes you feel really good.”
They all nodded, eager to follow
Benny’s example.
And as for the Badger family? Their
next lantern and water bill was much lower, and their smiles were even brighter.
Moral to the Story Poem:
Lights off, water off, and the door
closed tight,
Be mindful of what’s used—do what’s right.
Every drop and flicker adds up fast,
So make your good habits ones that last.
You’re helping your home in ways big
and small,
With just a few actions that mean so much to all.
Save energy, save money, and do your part.
Be proud of your choices and your kind, thoughtful heart.
Let’s
Talk About the Story!
Here are three questions to talk
about together:
1.
Why did
Benny’s parents remind him to turn off the lights, water, and close the door?
(What were they trying to teach him?)
2.
What
changed Benny’s behavior?
(Can you think of a moment in the story when he realized he needed to do
better?)
3.
What are
some things you can do at home to help your family save energy and
water?
(Can you think of a time you left a light on or the water running?)
About the Author
Bill Conley is a dedicated storyteller, life coach, and faith-filled guide
whose heartfelt children’s stories have brought smiles and timeless lessons to
families everywhere. As the author of hundreds of moral-rich tales, Bill
believes in planting seeds of kindness, gratitude, responsibility, and faith in
the hearts of children while they’re young. His signature style weaves simple
yet powerful truths into colorful adventures featuring animal heroes, each story carefully crafted to impart values that last a lifetime.
Bill’s passion for writing comes from his own
journey, years of experience as a father, grandfather, mentor, and devoted
husband. He understands that children need stories that do more than entertain;
they need stories that shape character, spark imagination, and open
conversations between parents and kids.
Whether he’s writing about a brave little
beaver, a wise turtle, a fast cheetah, or a gentle cloud that forgets how to
rain, Bill pours his love for faith, family, and old-fashioned values into
every word. He knows that small lessons today become big strengths tomorrow.
In addition to his books, Bill is a certified
life coach who has helped countless people build stronger relationships, grow
in faith, and navigate life’s storms with confidence and hope. His words
encourage children and grown-ups alike to be kind, stay positive, honor
commitments, and always believe they are enough.
When he’s not writing, Bill enjoys spending
time with his three daughters and two grandchildren, sharing laughter and
lessons across generations. He also finds joy in serving his church and
community, living out the very values he writes about so passionately.
Bill Conley’s greatest hope is that every
story will help families build warm memories together—reading aloud, asking
questions, and inspiring children to grow into caring, courageous, and
thoughtful adults.
He invites you to keep reading, keep talking,
and keep believing that the smallest good things we do can change the world for
the better.
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