By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral to the Story:
A leader is someone who listens, guides, and helps others find the way, not
just someone who stands in front. Followers are important too, because they
learn, support, and grow, but they must choose wisely who they follow. Being a leader means showing courage, kindness, and responsibility in both
words and actions. A follower learns from others while preparing to lead
someday by watching and practicing good habits. Leadership is not about being
the loudest but about making choices that help the group succeed. Every leader
was once a follower who listened, learned, and tried to do the right thing. Leaders
and followers both play important roles, but leadership grows when you take
responsibility for yourself and others. With patience, respect, and practice,
every child can develop the skills to become a strong and wise leader.
On a quiet evening in the heart of
the forest, Grandpa Owl gathered a group of little owlets beneath the glowing
moon. The air smelled of pine and wildflowers, and the stars twinkled like tiny
lanterns overhead. The young ones huddled close, eager for one of his famous
stories full of wisdom.
“Grandpa,” asked a small owlet named
Finn, “what does it mean to be a leader? Everyone always talks about leaders at
school, but I don’t know what it really means.”
Grandpa Owl ruffled his feathers and
smiled. “Ah, a wonderful question. Let me tell you, little ones. A leader is
not simply the one at the front. A leader is the one who listens to the group,
thinks carefully, and helps everyone move in the right direction.”
Another owlet, Lily, tilted her
head. “But if leaders are out front, what about the rest of us? Are we just
followers?”
Grandpa nodded gently. “Yes, and there
is no shame in being a follower. In fact, every wise leader begins as a
follower. A follower learns by watching, listening, and practicing respect.
They help the group succeed by doing their part.”
Finn blinked. “So, a follower just
listens?”
“Not just listens,” Grandpa replied.
“A good follower asks questions, gives ideas, and supports the leader. Think of
a flock flying through the sky. The leader shows the way, but every bird flaps
its wings to help the group reach its destination. Without the followers, the
leader would be flying alone.”
Followers
Have Strength Too
A curious owlet named Milo raised
his wing. “So, Grandpa, if followers are important, do they ever become
leaders?”
Grandpa chuckled warmly. “Of course.
Every leader you see today was once a follower who paid attention, helped
others, and practiced kindness. You cannot learn to guide unless you first
learn to listen. Followers are like roots. They may be hidden, but they give
strength to the tree.”
The owlets murmured in agreement,
picturing themselves as strong roots.
What
Makes a Leader
Lily fluffed her feathers. “Then
what makes someone a leader instead of a follower?”
Grandpa Owl’s eyes twinkled. “A
leader steps up when help is needed. They take responsibility, even when it is
hard. They encourage others, solve problems, and guide with kindness. Leaders
don’t boss around. They serve.”
The owlets all whispered among
themselves, thinking deeply.
Finn frowned. “But what if someone
just shouts loudly and tells everyone what to do? Doesn’t that make them the
leader?”
Grandpa shook his head. “No, little
one. Leadership is not about being the loudest voice. It is about making
choices that help the whole group succeed. The loudest bird may catch
attention, but the wisest bird earns respect.”
Practicing
Leadership
“So how can we become leaders one
day?” Finn asked.
“By practicing now,” Grandpa said.
“Raise your wing to answer questions in class. Volunteer to help. Treat your
friends kindly and stand up for what’s right. Each of these small acts builds
the muscles of leadership, just like practicing flapping builds the strength to
fly.”
“Can we practice now?” Milo asked
eagerly.
Grandpa smiled. “Yes, let’s play a
game. Finn, you lead us in walking around this oak tree. The rest of you
follow.”
The owlets hopped after Finn. At
first, he moved too fast, and everyone stumbled. Grandpa called out, “A good
leader watches the group and sets a pace that everyone can follow.” Finn slowed
down, and soon all the owlets walked smoothly together.
“Now, Lily, you lead.” Lily
hesitated, then began humming a tune as she walked. The others joined in.
Grandpa nodded. “A leader can bring joy and unity, too. You see, leadership can
be gentle and creative.”
The owlets laughed and clapped their
wings, enjoying the practice.
Courage
and Responsibility
When the game ended, Grandpa grew
serious. “Leadership also means courage. Imagine if a friend were being teased
at school. A leader would stand up and say, ‘That’s not right,’ even if their
voice trembled. Responsibility means doing what’s right, not what’s easy.”
Olivia, the quietest owlet of the
group, whispered, “But what if I’m too scared?”
Grandpa wrapped a wing around her.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, my dear. It is choosing to act even when
you feel afraid. Every time you try, you grow braver. Even small steps—like
helping a classmate or listening carefully—are acts of leadership.”
The
Balance of Leading and Following
Milo tilted his head. “So should we
always try to lead?”
Grandpa shook his head. “No, little
ones. There are times to lead and times to follow. If everyone tried to lead at
once, there would be chaos. Just as a flock takes turns flying at the front,
you must learn to balance both roles. A wise leader also knows when to step
back and let another lead.”
The owlets nodded thoughtfully,
realizing leadership wasn’t about always being in charge but about harmony and
balance.
Planting
Seeds of Leadership
Grandpa pointed his wing toward the
starry sky. “See those stars? Alone, they sparkle, but together they form
constellations that guide travelers. Leadership is like that. Your actions may
seem small, but together they create a pattern that helps others find their
way.”
The young owlets’ eyes shone with
understanding.
“So it’s okay to follow while we
learn,” Lily said, “but we should also practice leading so we’re ready when
it’s our turn?”
Grandpa Owl spread his wings wide.
“Exactly! Both leaders and followers are needed. But remember—leaders are the
ones who use their wisdom, courage, and kindness to make a difference.”
The
Promise
As the stars twinkled above, the
owlets promised themselves they would learn to be both good followers and brave
leaders, just as Grandpa had taught.
Finn whispered, “Tomorrow I’ll raise
my wing in class.”
Lily added, “I’ll help the younger owlets find their way to the reading
circle.”
Milo said, “And I’ll practice listening so I can lead with respect.”
Even Olivia smiled shyly. “I’ll try to be brave when it’s my turn.”
Grandpa Owl looked at them proudly.
“Good. With patience, respect, and practice, each of you will grow into strong
and wise leaders.”
The owlets cuddled close under
Grandpa’s wings, comforted by his warmth and wisdom, and drifted off to sleep
dreaming of the day when their turn to lead would come.
Moral
of the Story Poem:
A leader listens, guides with care,
Shows the path and leads us there.
A follower learns, supports the way,
Together they make a brighter day.
Respect and courage, both will grow,
When chances come, you’ll surely show.
For leading starts with lessons true,
And every leader begins with you.
Discussion
Questions
1.
Why did Grandpa Owl say that every
leader was once a follower?
2.
What are some small ways you can
practice leadership at school or at home?
3.
How can being a good follower help
you become a better leader in the future?
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