Sammy the Squirrel Hears Big News - A Children's Story

Sammy the Squirrel Hears Big News

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:

When you hear that a new baby is coming, it's normal to feel unsure or even a little scared. It’s okay to wonder if things will change or if there will still be enough love for you. But love doesn’t run out—it grows. A new baby doesn’t take love away from you; it brings even more love into your home. You’ll always be special, no matter how big your family gets. Sometimes change feels strange at first, but it can become something beautiful. Being a big brother or sister is a new adventure with new joys and responsibilities. And the best part? You get to be someone’s first best friend.

It was a sunny morning in the forest when Sammy the Squirrel woke up to the smell of acorn muffins. Mama and Papa Squirrel were whispering in the kitchen, smiling softly.

“Sammy,” Mama said, brushing his fur. “We have something special to tell you.”

Sammy’s ears perked up. “Is it a surprise?”

Papa chuckled. “It’s the best kind of surprise.”

“You’re going to be a big brother!” Mama said.

Sammy blinked. “A what?”

“A big brother,” Mama repeated. “There’s going to be a new baby in our family!”

Sammy didn’t know what to say. His tail twitched. His whiskers wiggled.

“A baby?” he whispered. “But… what about me?”

The next few days, Sammy felt strange. Mama was more tired. Papa was busy fixing up a tiny cradle made of twigs and moss.

“Will they still have time to read me stories?” Sammy wondered.
“Will Mama still hold me on her lap?”
“Will Papa still play chase with me?”
“Will they still love me the same?”

He didn’t want to ask. But those questions filled up his little heart like storm clouds.

That night, Sammy couldn’t sleep.

“Mama?” he whispered from his branch bed.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Will you still love me when the baby comes?”

Mama climbed up beside him and wrapped him in her arms. “Oh, Sammy. Love doesn’t get smaller when a baby comes—it gets bigger. Our hearts will stretch to love both of you just right.”

“But will you have time for me?” he sniffled.

Papa joined them and smiled. “We will always make time for you. You’ll still have bedtime snuggles, silly games, and muffin mornings. Nothing will take that away.”

“And,” Mama added, “you’ll be someone very important. The baby’s big brother. They’ll look up to you.”

Sammy blinked. “Me? Really?”

“You’ll be their helper, their teacher, and their hero,” Papa said.

Sammy thought about that. It still felt a little scary… but also kind of exciting.

In the weeks that followed, Sammy helped decorate the nursery nook. He chose the softest pine needles for the baby’s bed and made a tiny mobile from acorn caps.

One afternoon, Mama placed his paw gently on her belly. “Can you feel that?”

Sammy felt a tiny flutter beneath his paw.

“The baby’s kicking!” he shouted. “They’re already playing!”

Every night, Sammy told the baby a bedtime story—even though the baby was still inside Mama’s tummy.

And when the big day finally came…

Papa tiptoed into the treehouse den and whispered, “Sammy, the baby is here.”

Sammy raced down the branch faster than ever before.

He peeked into the cradle—and there she was.

Tiny. Wrinkly. Wrapped in moss.

“She’s so little,” Sammy whispered.

“Do you want to hold her?” Mama asked.

Sammy nodded.

He sat down carefully, and Mama placed the baby in his arms.

The baby yawned, blinked… and curled her tiny paw around his finger.

“She knows me,” Sammy whispered.

“Of course she does,” Mama smiled. “You’ve been her big brother since the moment she arrived.”

And Sammy the Squirrel knew—he didn’t have less love now.

He had more.

Moral to the Story Poem:

A new baby brings change, that’s true,
But love grows bigger, just for you.
You won’t be lost, or feel left out—
There’s more than enough love, no doubt.
You’ll be a guide, a friend, a cheer—
Someone special, brave, and near.
A baby brings joy, and guess who they’ll see?
The best big sibling there could be!

Questions for Thought and Discussion:

1.     What were some of the feelings Sammy had when he found out about the baby?

2.     How did his parents help him feel better about the changes?

3.     What are some fun things you think you could do as a big brother or sister?