By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral to the Story:
Saying “no” to people who care for you can feel like you’re turning away from
their love.
Your parents, grandparents, and caregivers are trying to help you grow, stay
safe, and become your best self.
When you say “no” without thinking, it may seem like you don’t trust or
appreciate their help.
It can hurt their feelings and make it harder for them to guide you.
Saying “yes” shows respect, love, and a willingness to learn.
It tells the people around you that you value their efforts and believe in
their guidance.
Every “yes” strengthens your connection with those who want the best for you.
So before you say “no,” pause—and try saying “yes” instead.
In a little blue house nestled in
the hills of western Massachusetts, lived a soft gray kitten named Kiki. She
had big curious eyes, a fluffy tail, and a favorite word she used all the time:
“No.”
“Kiki, time to clean up your toys,”
said Mama Cat gently.
“No,” Kiki replied, rolling onto her back.
“Kiki, let’s eat lunch now,” called Grandma Cat from the kitchen.
“No,” she meowed, hiding under the table.
“Let’s get your warm sweater—it’s chilly today,” said Papa Cat.
“No,” Kiki pouted, shivering in the breeze.
It wasn’t that Kiki was a bad
kitten—she just liked to feel in charge.
But after a while, things started to
change. Her room got messy, her belly rumbled from skipped meals, and she got
cold walking to school without her sweater. Worse still, Mama, Papa, and
Grandma Cat started to look a little sad. Their voices sounded tired, and they
didn’t smile quite as much.
One afternoon, after saying “no” to
brushing her teeth, Kiki noticed Mama Cat didn’t offer to read a bedtime story.
She just kissed her forehead quietly and turned off the light.
The room felt different.
The next morning, Grandma Cat sat
with Kiki on the porch. The air smelled of pine trees and fallen leaves.
“Sweetheart,” she said softly, “do you know what it means when you always say
‘no’?”
Kiki shook her head.
“It can feel like you don’t believe
we care,” Grandma explained. “But everything we ask is to help you grow strong,
smart, and kind. Saying ‘no’ might feel powerful, but saying ‘yes’ shows love
and trust.”
Kiki's ears drooped. “I didn’t mean
to hurt anyone,” she whispered.
“We know,” Grandma purred. “But try
this: next time someone who loves you asks for something small, say ‘yes’—and
see what happens.”
So, when Papa Cat asked her to put
on her sweater, Kiki smiled and said, “Yes, Papa.” His eyes lit up with
surprise and joy.
Later, when Grandma asked if she
wanted some warm soup, Kiki nodded and said, “Yes, please.” Grandma chuckled
and added an extra heart-shaped cracker.
And when Mama asked if she wanted to
brush her teeth together, Kiki said “yes” again—and Mama gave her the biggest
hug.
Kiki discovered that saying “yes”
felt warm, peaceful, and kind. It made her heart feel full and her family
closer.
She didn’t stop saying “no”
completely—it’s okay to say “no” when something feels wrong. But now, she
paused first and thought: Is this someone who loves me? Is this something
that helps me grow?
If the answer was yes… then her
answer was too.
Moral
to the Story Poem:
When someone loves you and tries to
guide,
Say “yes” with joy, not with pride.
“No” can hurt and push away,
But “yes” can brighten someone’s day.
It builds a bond of love and care,
A gentle trust that’s always there.
So stop and think before you speak—
A little “yes” can make hearts peak.
Questions
for Thought and Discussion:
1.
Why did Kiki start saying “no” to
everything?
2.
How did Kiki’s family feel when she
always said “no”?
3.
What happened when Kiki began saying
“yes” more often?
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