Rosie the Rabbit Learns to Respect Her Grandparents
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story:
Respect begins with how we greet and
acknowledge the people who love us most.
Grandparents deserve hugs, smiles, and warm words that let them know they are
valued. When we say hello kindly, we show gratitude for the wisdom and love
they give. Ignoring grandparents makes them feel unseen, but respect brings joy
to their hearts. Simple acts like eye contact, hugs, and greetings carry deep
meaning. Children who learn to honor grandparents grow in kindness, love, and respect. Grandparents are treasures, not to be overlooked but cherished every day. Showing respect strengthens family bonds and teaches us the importance of love.
Rosie the Rabbit hopped quickly
through Cloverfield Meadow, her little backpack bouncing with every step. The
school day was done, and her mind was already racing with thoughts of games,
toys, and her favorite carrot-shaped puzzle. She was excited to spend the
evening at Grandma and Grandpa Rabbit’s burrow.
When Rosie pushed open the wooden
door, Grandma Rabbit’s arms opened wide, and Grandpa Rabbit’s face beamed with
joy.
“Hello, Rosie!” Grandma called
cheerfully.
“Welcome, Rosie!” Grandpa added with
a warm chuckle.
But Rosie barely looked up. She
mumbled, “Hi,” under her breath and darted straight to her toy box in the
corner of the room.
Grandpa’s ears drooped ever so
slightly. Grandma’s smile softened, but she sighed quietly. They loved Rosie
more than words could say, but their hearts longed for a hug, a smile, and a
warm greeting that showed they were more than just a stop on Rosie’s busy day.
Mama Rabbit, who had brought Rosie
over, noticed. She knelt down beside her daughter and asked gently, “Rosie,
when you walk into your grandparents’ home, do you know what matters most?”
Rosie tilted her head. “Um…playing
with my toys?”
Mama shook her head kindly. “No,
sweetheart. It’s showing Grandma and Grandpa how much you love them. A simple
hello, a smile, and a hug tell them they are important to you.”
Rosie wrinkled her nose. “But I do
love them. They already know that.”
Papa Rabbit joined in, placing his
paw on Rosie’s shoulder. “Yes, Rosie, they know you love them in your heart.
But love isn’t just something you feel inside—it’s something you show. Actions
speak louder than words, and respect means showing your love through greetings,
hugs, and kindness.”
Rosie’s ears twitched. “So, I should
say hello louder?”
“Not just louder,” Mama said with a
smile. “Say it warmly. Look at their faces, smile big, and give them a hug.
That tells them they matter to you.”
Practicing
Respect
The next day, Rosie had another
chance. Mama brought her back to Grandma and Grandpa’s burrow. This time, Rosie
stopped at the doorway before rushing in.
“Hello, Grandma! Hello, Grandpa!”
she said brightly, her little face glowing with a big smile. Then she hopped
straight into their arms, wrapping them both in a hug.
Grandma Rabbit’s eyes sparkled with
joy. “Oh, Rosie, what a lovely greeting!”
Grandpa’s whiskers twitched into a
wide grin. “That hug makes me feel young again.”
Rosie giggled. “Did that make you
feel respected?”
“It made us feel loved and
important,” Grandma said warmly. “Thank you, dear.”
Rosie beamed, realizing how much
such a simple greeting could mean.
The
Lesson Grows
That evening, Rosie asked her
parents, “Is greeting and hugging really that important? Doesn’t love show in
other ways too?”
Papa Rabbit nodded. “Yes, love shows
in many ways. But greetings are the first gift you give someone when you see
them. It sets the tone. It tells the other person, ‘You matter to me.’”
Mama added, “Respect is more than
manners—it’s showing others they have value. When you show kindness to your
grandparents, you also remind yourself to notice people, not just pass by. And
when you honor your grandparents, you honor the family that came before you.”
Rosie thought deeply. “So when I
give Grandma and Grandpa a hug, it’s not just nice—it’s love in action.”
“Exactly,” Mama said. “Love in action
is the truest form of respect.”
Small
Acts, Big Meaning
Rosie began to notice other little
ways she could show respect. When Grandma brought her a plate of fresh-baked
carrot muffins, Rosie remembered to say, “Thank you, Grandma! These are
delicious!”
When Grandpa invited her to help
water the flowers, she hopped over eagerly, instead of groaning. “I’d love to
help, Grandpa!” she said.
Each time Rosie showed appreciation,
she saw her grandparents’ faces light up. And each time, Rosie’s heart felt
warmer and fuller.
A
Change in Rosie
Soon, it wasn’t just Grandma and
Grandpa she greeted with love. Rosie began practicing respect for others, too.
When Mama served dinner, Rosie said,
“Thank you, Mama! This looks wonderful.”
When Papa fixed her toy cart, she hugged him and said, “Thanks, Papa. You’re
the best.”
At school, she remembered to greet her teacher with a smile and a cheerful
“Good morning!”
Rosie realized that respect didn’t just
make others happy—it made her happier too.
A
Special Visit
One sunny afternoon, Grandma and
Grandpa invited Rosie to spend the whole day with them. Rosie greeted them with
a big smile, a cheerful hello, and the warmest hug she could give.
Grandma Rabbit whispered to Grandpa,
“Do you notice how much Rosie has changed?”
Grandpa nodded proudly. “Yes. She
has learned the beauty of respect. And that respect has drawn us even closer
together.”
That evening, as Rosie snuggled into
her bed, Mama asked, “What did you learn today, Rosie?”
Rosie smiled sleepily. “Grandparents are treasures. And when I show them respect with hugs, smiles, and
kind words, it makes them happy—and it makes me happy too.”
Papa kissed her forehead. “That’s
the heart of respect, Rosie. Love in action makes families strong.”
Moral
of the Story Poem:
A hug, a smile, a kind hello,
Are ways that love will always show.
Grandparents’ hearts will always be treasured,
Those greetings were filled with love and pleasure.
Respect is more than words we say,
It’s how we treat them every day.
A simple hug can light the way,
To show our love in what we say.
Discussion
Questions
1.
How did Rosie act when she first
visited her grandparents?
2.
What did Mama and Papa teach Rosie
about showing respect?
3.
How can you show your
grandparents—or other family members—that you love and appreciate them?
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