By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
When you visit someone’s home,
you’re stepping into their special space, and how you act truly matters.
Politeness opens doors and hearts—words like “please” and “thank you” go a
long, long way.
Always greet grown-ups kindly, look them in the eye, and respond with sweetness
and respect.
If you play with toys or games, put them back the way you found them—clean and
neat.
Don’t run through the halls or yell loudly—it’s not your house, so show calm
and care.
Listen carefully to directions and follow them the first time without complaint
or sass.
Treat your friend and their family like treasures, be helpful and kind, and
don’t quarrel or whine.
Leave the house better than you found it—and leave them thinking, “What a
delightful little guest!”
In the peaceful town of Maplebrook,
nestled beside a sparkling stream and surrounded by flowering meadows, lived a
young goose named Greta.
Greta was smart, cheerful, and full
of questions about the world. She loved adventures and was always eager to
visit new places. So, when her mom said, “Greta, you’ve been invited to a
playdate at Penny the Porcupine’s house,” Greta honked with excitement.
“I can’t wait to see her toys!” she
said, hopping around.
Her mom gently took her wing.
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. But remember, when you’re in someone else’s
home, there are special rules to follow.”
“Like what?” Greta asked, tilting
her head.
“Be respectful. Say ‘please’ and
‘thank you.’ Don’t run or shout. Clean up your messes. Listen to grown-ups. And
always leave a place better than you found it.”
Greta nodded, determined to be the
best guest ever.
The next morning, Greta flew over to
Penny’s treehouse. Penny’s mom greeted her at the door with a smile.
“Welcome, Greta!” Mrs. Porcupine
said warmly. “Would you like a berry muffin?”
“Yes, please!” Greta replied,
remembering what her mom had said. After a few bites, she smiled and said,
“Thank you, Mrs. Porcupine. These are delicious!”
Penny tugged Greta toward the
playroom. “Come see my new blocks!”
The room was full of toys, puzzles,
books, and a giant beanbag shaped like a marshmallow. Greta gasped.
“This is amazing!”
They built castles, made a zoo out
of stuffed animals, and pretended to be explorers in a jungle. But when Penny
started tossing blocks into the air, Greta paused.
“Maybe we should build something
with them instead of throwing them,” she suggested. “They might get lost or
broken.”
Penny stopped. “You’re right.”
As they played, Penny’s little
brother, Petey, wandered in. He was only two and often knocked things over.
“Not again!” Penny said, frustrated.
But Greta knelt down beside Petey.
“Want to help us build a tower?” she asked kindly.
Petey giggled and plopped down next
to them.
Later, Mrs. Porcupine called from
the kitchen, “Girls, please clean up in ten minutes. We’ll have a snack before
Greta goes home.”
Greta didn’t wait to be reminded
again. She started putting puzzle pieces in their box, lining up the books, and
stacking the blocks neatly.
“You don’t have to do all that,”
Penny said.
Greta smiled. “It’s okay. I always
try to leave places better than I found them.”
After cleaning, they sat down for
apple slices and lemonade. Greta folded her napkin, took a sip, and looked at
Mrs. Porcupine.
“Thank you again, ma’am. I’ve had
such a nice time.”
Penny whispered, “You’re really good
at visiting other people’s houses.”
Greta laughed. “My mom says being a
good guest means being respectful and kind, and leaving others happy that you
came.”
When it was time to go, Greta gave
Mrs. Porcupine a hug and waved goodbye to Petey. “Thank you for having me!”
Flying home, Greta felt proud.
That weekend, Greta’s parents had a
guest of their own—Wally the Weasel. He was fast and wild and had a big
personality.
But oh, how different he was from
Greta.
Wally ran through the living room,
leaving muddy prints. He spilled sunflower seeds on the rug and didn’t pick
them up. He rolled on the couch, interrupted grown-ups, and didn’t say “thank
you” when he got a cookie.
When Wally finally left, Greta’s mom
gave her a look.
“Now do you understand why it’s
important to be a gracious guest?”
Greta nodded. “I do. Wally’s nice,
but he made our house feel like a mess. I don’t want people to feel that way
when I leave.”
From that day on, Greta became known
all around Maplebrook as one of the most delightful visitors anyone could have.
Whether it was a friend’s house, a grandparent’s cottage, or even a teacher’s
garden party, Greta the Goose always showed up with manners, warmth, and a
cheerful heart.
And everywhere she went, someone
would say after she left, “What a lovely guest she was.”
Moral to the Story Poem:
When you visit someone's home, be
gentle and polite,
Use sweet words like “please” and “thank you,” they make everything feel right.
Don’t run or shout or slam the door—be calm and use your head,
And if you take out toys to play, put them back before you're fed.
Be helpful, clean, and friendly,
with a warm and caring heart,
Listen to the grown-ups, and be kind right from the start.
Leave the home in better shape than when you first came through,
And every host will surely say, “We loved having you!”
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 with animal heroes, each story
crafted to teach values that last a lifetime.
Bill’s passion for writing comes from his own
journey—years of experiences 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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