Toby the Tiger Learns the Power of His Words - A Children's Story

Toby the Tiger Learns the Power of His Words

By Bill Conley – America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:
Be careful when you say “always” and “never” because they are big words that are not true all the time.
Saying “hate” can make someone’s heart feel sad and small.
Kind words help your friends feel happy and loved.
If you feel mad, take a deep breath before you talk.
Good words can be like hugs that make people smile inside.
When you use gentle words, you make the world a nicer place to be!

In a sunny jungle called Willow Creek, there lived a little tiger cub named Toby. Toby loved to run, jump, and roar with his friends. He was fast and fun and always ready to play.

But sometimes, Toby used words that made his friends feel sad.

One warm morning, Toby was playing ball with Bella the Bunny and Ollie the Owl. Toby missed a big kick, and the ball rolled away. Bella giggled and said, “It’s okay, Toby! Let’s get it!”

But Toby frowned and growled, “You always laugh at me! You never help me!”

Bella’s big ears drooped. Ollie flapped his wings.

“That’s not true, Toby,” Ollie said kindly. “Bella helped you find your hat yesterday.”

But Toby turned away. “No! She always laughs and never helps!”

Bella felt sad. She hopped away to sit under a shady tree. Ollie flew to sit by her side. Toby sat alone with the ball. He felt mad but also a little sorry.

At lunchtime, Mama Tiger called Toby home. She gave him yummy fish and his favorite sweet berries. But Toby pushed his plate away.

“I hate fish!” Toby said loudly. “I always have to eat fish. You never give me what I want!”

Mama Tiger sat down next to Toby. She looked at him with kind eyes.

“Toby,” she said softly, “words like always and never are too big. They make things sound true when they are not. And hate is a mean word that hurts hearts. We don’t want that, do we?”

Toby poked his berries. “But I never get my favorite.”

Mama Tiger smiled. “Remember? You had your favorite berries yesterday! And you had a big bowl last week, too.”

Toby thought hard. He did have berries. Maybe never wasn’t true. Maybe always wasn’t true either. And hate? It didn’t feel good to say.

After lunch, Toby went back outside. He found Bella still sitting under the tree. Ollie sat in the branches above her. Toby’s tummy felt funny—like a sorry roar was inside.

“Bella?” Toby said softly. “I’m sorry I said always and never. And I’m sorry I made you sad. I didn’t mean it.”

Bella’s nose wiggled. “It hurt my feelings,” she said.

“I know,” Toby said. “Mama says I should use kinder words.”

Bella gave him a little smile. “Okay, Toby.”

The next day, Toby saw Max the Monkey at the playground. Max was trying to swing on the vines but slipped into the grass.

Max cried, “I hate vines! I never make it! I always fall!”

Toby’s ears perked up. He sat by Max and patted his back. “Max, my mama says always, never, and hate makes us feel bad. Yesterday you went halfway! That’s not never! And you don’t hate vines—you just don’t like falling.”

Max wiped his eyes. “Maybe.”

“Let’s try again!” Toby cheered. “I’ll watch and clap for you!”

Max grabbed the vine and swung! He swung all the way to the end and landed on the soft grass. He laughed and clapped his hands.

“I did it!” Max giggled.

Toby smiled. “See? No more never. No more hate.”

From then on, Toby was the Word Helper in Willow Creek. When his friends said always, Toby asked, “Is that really true?” When they said never, he said, “Let’s think again.” And when they said hate, Toby said, “Try a kinder word!”

At night, Toby curled up next to Mama Tiger under the twinkly stars.

“I’m proud of you, Toby,” Mama said. “You are using strong, soft words. Good words make happy hearts.”

Toby purred. “No more always. No more never. No more hate,” he whispered to the stars.

Then he closed his eyes with a big tiger smile, dreaming of happy words and happy friends.

Moral to the Story (Poem):
Words can help or words can hurt,
Think kind thoughts before you blurt.
Always and never feel too big,
Use small words that dance and jig.
“Hate” is heavy, let it go,
Kind words help your friendships grow.
Speak with care and you will see,
Soft words make good company.