That’s Not Mine! A Children's Story

That’s Not Mine!

A Woodland Tale About Helping Out at Home

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:
A cheerful home is one where every creature lends a paw. Saying, “That’s not mine!” doesn’t help keep the den clean. Even if you didn’t make the mess, you can still fix it.
We all share the space, so we all share the work. Taking pride in our home shows love, care, and maturity. Kindness means pitching in—even when no one’s watching.

In the cozy clearing of Fernwood Forest stood a cheerful burrow where the Burrowtail family lived—Mama Rabbit, Papa Rabbit, and their three bouncy bunnies: Benny, Bella, and Bo.

The Burrowtail home was snug and full of laughter, but lately... it was also full of clutter!

Carrot tops were strewn across the floor, wooden acorns lay scattered around the playroom, and muddy paw prints ran right through the hallway.

One sunny morning, Mama Rabbit hopped into the living room and stumbled on a pile of paintbrushes. “Whose are these?” she asked, twitching her nose.

“Not mine!” said Benny, without even turning from his storybook.
“Wasn’t me,” called Bella from behind a stack of pinecones.
Bo peeked out from the laundry basket and said, “I didn’t even paint today!”

Mama Rabbit sighed and picked up the brushes herself. Later, she found a spilled berry smoothie near the kitchen stump.

“Alright,” Papa Rabbit said, twitching his ears. “Family log time—everyone, gather ‘round.”

The three young rabbits flopped down on the family log bench with twitchy whiskers and droopy ears.

“Little ones,” said Mama gently, “we’ve noticed something... every time we ask for help, we hear ‘That’s not mine!’”

“But it’s not fair to clean up things we didn’t do,” said Bella.

“That may be true,” Papa said. “But our den belongs to all of us. And when something’s out of place, we help out—because we love our home and each other.”

Bo wrinkled his nose. “Even if we didn’t make the mess?”

“Exactly,” Mama smiled. “Helping without being asked is what makes you a helpful and kind-hearted bunny.”

From that day forward, things began to change.

Benny found a sticky apple core near the moss mat and tossed it in the compost—even though it wasn’t his.

Bella saw Papa’s slippers tipped over by the stump and lined them up neatly—even though she hadn’t touched them.

Bo noticed the toy wagon out in the rain and pulled it back into the burrow—even though he hadn’t played with it in days.

Soon, the Burrowtail home sparkled with more than just tidiness—it glowed with harmony.

No one waited to be asked.
No one said, “That’s not mine.”
Instead, they said, “I’ve got it!”
Because helping out became a way of showing love.

And the best part? The more they helped one another, the closer their hearts grew.

Poem to the Story:
When something is messy and no one will claim it,
Don’t wait or complain, or try to place blame.
Just lend a paw—give a sweep or a wipe.
Pick up the clutter, no fuss or gripe.
Together we live, so together we care—
A clean, happy home is a joy we all share.

Three Thought-Provoking Questions:

1.     Why is it important to help clean up, even if it’s not your mess?

2.     How does working together make your home a better place to live?

3.     What are some small things you can do each day to help your family?