By Bill Conley—America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story:
The food we eat is the fuel that
keeps our bodies and minds strong.
Healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, milk, and whole grains give us energy
to learn, play, and grow. Unhealthy snacks that are full of sugar or fat may taste good at first, but
they leave us feeling tired and weak. Children can be brave and wise by asking for healthy foods and saying “no thank
you” to foods that are not good for them. Eating healthy shows love for your body and respect for your future. Every healthy choice builds strength, energy, and a happy heart. Healthy food is a gift that helps us live longer, play harder, and think
smarter. The best thing you can do for yourself each day is to choose food that fuels
your body the right way.
In a shady corner of the meadow
lived Harper the Hedgehog, a spunky little fellow with shiny quills and
bright eyes. Harper loved to play tag, climb rocks, and build tunnels in the
dirt. He wanted to have energy all day long.
But lately, Harper noticed something
odd. After eating certain snacks, he felt slow, sleepy, and cranky.
One afternoon, Harper and his
friends were playing hide-and-seek. As they ran, Max the Monkey pulled
out a bag of candy. “Hey, Harper, want some?”
The candy looked colorful and fun.
Harper popped a few pieces into his mouth. At first, they tasted amazing—sweet
and sticky. But soon, his tummy began to hurt. His legs felt heavy. He slumped
down under a tree.
Ruby the Rabbit tilted her head.
“What’s wrong, Harper?”
“I… I don’t feel good,” Harper
groaned.
Just then, Mama Hedgehog appeared
with a basket of apples. “Try this instead,” she said. She handed Harper a
crisp red apple.
Harper crunched into it. The juice
was sweet and refreshing. Slowly, his energy returned. He hopped back up, ready
to play again.
“Wow!” Harper exclaimed. “I feel so
much better.”
That night, Papa Hedgehog explained
over dinner:
“Food is fuel, Harper. It’s like gas
in a car. If you put the wrong fuel in, the engine won’t run well. Candy,
chips, and soda are like bad fuel. They taste good for a moment, but they make
your body weak.”
Harper’s eyes widened. “So, healthy
foods are the right fuel?”
Papa nodded. “Yes. Fruits, vegetables,
milk, and grains give your body the strength it needs. They help your mind
think, your muscles move, and your heart stay strong.”
Mama added, “When you eat well, you
feel well. And when you feel well, you can run, play, and learn better.”
The next day, Harper’s class at
school had a picnic. On the blanket, Max brought chips, Ruby brought cookies,
and Benny the Bear brought soda.
When the food was passed around,
Harper’s tummy rumbled. The cookies smelled sweet. The soda fizzed.
But Harper remembered what Mama and
Papa had said. He stood tall and smiled. “No thank you. I’d like a healthy
choice.”
His friends blinked. “Healthy? Like
what?”
Harper reached into his basket and
pulled out carrots, grapes, and a bottle of water.
He munched a carrot and offered
grapes to Ruby. “Here—try these.”
Ruby took a bite. “Mmm! These are
really good.”
Benny tried a grape too. “Wow, this
is even sweeter than candy!”
Max still sipped his soda. But soon
he frowned. “My stomach hurts.”
Harper patted his shoulder. “That’s
what happens when we eat too much sugar. Healthy food makes us strong and happy
instead.”
As the summer days passed, Harper
noticed big changes in himself.
When he chose water over soda, he
could play longer without feeling dizzy.
When he ate fruit instead of candy, his tummy felt good.
When he had vegetables with dinner, he had more energy for games.
And when he drank milk, his teeth and bones grew stronger.
Soon, his friends began asking him
questions.
“Harper,” Ruby said, “what’s a good
snack before we play?”
“An apple or a banana,” Harper
answered.
“Harper,” Benny asked, “what should
I drink when I’m hot?”
“Water first,” Harper said firmly.
Max scratched his head. “So… if we
want to feel strong, we just need to eat what’s healthy?”
“That’s right,” Harper grinned.
“Healthy choices fuel our bodies the right way.”
One evening, Mama Hedgehog found
Harper in the kitchen. He was holding a cookie in one paw and a carrot in the
other.
“What will you choose?” she asked
with a smile.
Harper thought for a moment. The
cookie looked good. But the carrot would help him feel better. He nibbled the
carrot proudly.
Mama hugged him. “That’s my boy.
Choosing healthy food means you’re choosing love for yourself.”
Harper beamed. “And I want to be
strong, fast, and smart!”
From then on, Harper the Hedgehog
was known in the forest as the little teacher of health. Whenever his friends
faced a choice between healthy and unhealthy foods, Harper reminded them:
“Say no thank you to what isn’t good
for you. Ask for healthy choices. Your body will thank you.”
And all the forest friends learned
that the best fuel for their bodies wasn’t soda, chips, or candy—it was water,
milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Moral
to the story poem:
Food is fuel for the body and mind.
Choose the kind that makes you shine.
Fruits and veggies, milk so sweet,
Healthy snacks are the best to eat.
Sugary drinks may taste okay,
But they’ll slow you down along the way.
Say “no thank you,” choose what’s right,
Healthy food gives strength and light.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
How did Harper feel after eating
candy compared to after eating an apple?
2.
Why did Harper say “no thank you” to
cookies and soda at the picnic?
3.
What are some healthy foods and
drinks you can ask for at home or school?
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