Toby the Toucan Gives with Joy
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
Giving isn’t about getting—it’s about love. When you give from your heart, your soul smiles too. The best gifts are given with no strings attached. Giving brings joy that lasts longer than any present. You don’t need a reason to brighten someone’s day. True giving expects nothing in return—only happiness. When we lift others, we rise with them. A giving heart is a heart that shines the brightest.
In the lush, green treetops of the
Rainberry Jungle, where sunlight danced through the leaves and parrots painted
the sky with color, lived a bright and cheerful toucan named Toby.
Toby had the most beautiful beak in
the entire jungle—a rainbow of orange, green, blue, and yellow. But what made
him truly special wasn’t his feathers or colors.
It was his heart.
Toby loved to give.
He gave bananas to monkeys, berries
to bunnies, and fresh leaves to sleepy sloths. He gave rides on his back to
tired baby birds and sang lullabies to lonely tree frogs. And the most amazing
part?
Toby never asked for anything in
return.
One sunny morning, Toby flew over to
a group of animals playing in the clearing. It was Sammy the Squirrel’s
birthday, and everyone was bringing gifts—colorful pebbles, shiny feathers,
even a big pinecone cake!
But Toby?
Toby didn’t bring a thing.
Instead, he brought something
better.
“I wrote a song for Sammy,” he
chirped. “Want to hear it?”
He cleared his throat, puffed up his
chest, and sang a silly, joyful tune that made everyone laugh. Sammy giggled so
hard he rolled over in the grass.
“It’s perfect!” Sammy said. “That
was the best gift ever!”
Later that day, Toby noticed Penny
the Porcupine sitting alone.
“What’s wrong?” Toby asked.
“I lost my flower pin,” Penny
sniffled. “It was from my grandma. I’ve looked everywhere.”
Without hesitation, Toby flew into
the jungle. He checked bushes, climbed trees, and even peeked under puddles.
Just as the sun began to set, he spotted a tiny glimmer beside a mossy rock.
The pin!
He rushed back and placed it gently
in Penny’s paws.
She gasped. “You found it? Toby!
You’re amazing!”
Toby blushed. “I just wanted you to
smile.”
And she did. A big, toothy, porcupine
smile.
One afternoon, while clouds rolled
in and rain tapped on the treetops, Toby visited Ellie the Elephant. Ellie had
twisted her ankle and couldn’t walk to the fruit grove.
“No worries,” said Toby.
He zipped back and forth in the
rain, carrying bananas, mangos, and even a coconut on his beak. By the time he
finished, he was soaked, but Ellie was beaming.
“You didn’t have to do all this!”
she said.
“I wanted to,” Toby replied,
shivering a little but smiling big.
The next morning, the jungle awoke to
the sound of excited chirping. Toby’s tree was surrounded by animals—Sammy,
Penny, Ellie, and many more.
They brought fruits, nuts, flowers,
and a handmade jungle crown made of palm leaves and bright blossoms.
“We made this for you!” shouted the
crowd.
“For me?” Toby blinked in surprise.
“But… I didn’t give to get.”
“We know,” said Penny. “That’s why
it means even more.”
“You gave us love,” said Sammy. “So
today, we’re giving it back.”
Toby sat quietly, his heart full. He
didn’t need the gifts. He didn’t expect the praise. But knowing he had touched
so many hearts?
That was the greatest gift of all.
Poem – The Giving Heart
A gift that’s wrapped with love and
care,
Is richer far than jewels rare.
To give with joy, without a plea,
Is kindness shining wild and free.
Expect no prize, no pay, no cheer,
Just lift a heart and wipe a tear.
For when you give, the truth is clear—
Your own heart sings with love, sincere.
Three Thoughtful Questions for
Parents and Kids:
1.
What is something you’ve given
recently that made someone else smile?
2.
Why is it important to give without
expecting anything in return?
3.
How can we show love and kindness
through giving every day?
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