By
Bill Conley—America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Whining makes people want to turn
away instead of listening to what you have to say.
When you use a calm and respectful voice, people are far more willing to help
you.
Speaking kindly shows that you value others and the time they give you. When you ask with patience, you give others a chance to respond in a positive
way. Whining might get attention, but it rarely gets you the result you truly want. Kind, clear words build trust and make people want to be around you. Your voice is powerful, and how you use it shapes how people respond to you. Choose words that open doors instead of ones that make others walk away.
Wally the Weasel was known across
Woodsy Hollow as one of the wiggliest, wobbliest, whiniest little weasels
around.
If his snack wasn’t ready the moment
he was hungry?
“Mooooom! Why isn’t it ready yet?”
If it rained during playtime?
“Ugh! Why does it ALWAYS rain when I want to play?”
If he didn’t get the blue cup at dinner?
“I wanted the blue one! I always get the red!”
His mom and dad tried everything.
They gave choices. They offered hugs. They taught him polite words. But Wally
always seemed to find a reason to whine.
One day, Wally’s whining got
especially wild. His little sister Wanda was quietly coloring in the living room.
Wally walked in and whined, “She’s using the crayons I wanted! She ALWAYS gets
what she wants!”
Wanda looked up. “You never even
asked, Wally.”
Their mom came in, her hands full of
laundry. “Wally, sweetheart, when you whine, it doesn’t help anyone—not even
you. Try using your words kindly. That’s how you get what you want.”
Wally flopped dramatically onto the
couch. “But it’s so HARD not to whine!”
Just then, Grandpa Weasel knocked on
the door with a wooden walking stick and a shiny smile. “Whining, eh?” he
chuckled, hearing the tail end of the drama. “Sounds like it’s time for a
little forest walk and a few stories.”
Wally groaned but followed Grandpa
into the woods. As they walked under the tall pine trees, Grandpa told him a
tale.
“Once upon a time,” he began, “there
was a young rabbit named Riley who whined about everything. He whined when it
was hot. He whined when it was cold. He whined when his carrots were too
crunchy and when his water was too wet!”
Wally giggled. “Water’s supposed to
be wet!”
“Exactly!” Grandpa nodded. “But
Riley didn’t see it that way. One day, the forest animals decided not to listen
when Riley whined. They still cared about him—but they only responded when he
used kind and clear words.”
“So what happened?” Wally asked.
“Well,” Grandpa said, stopping near
a mossy log, “Riley learned that whining didn’t get him what he wanted. But
using calm words did. He stopped whining, and suddenly, he started getting
help, hugs, and even extra carrots.”
Wally thought about it. “So...
whining makes people tune out?”
“Exactly,” Grandpa said. “Whining is
like a foghorn. Loud, annoying, and hard to understand. But good words? They’re
like music—people want to hear them.”
As they walked home, Wally practiced
asking politely. “Grandpa, may I please hold your walking stick?”
“Now that’s a sentence I’ll answer!”
Grandpa said, handing it to him.
At dinner, Wally tried again. “Mom,
may I please have the blue cup tonight?”
Mom smiled wide. “Of course, Wally!
Thank you for asking so nicely.”
Wally looked over at Wanda, who gave
him a thumbs-up.
That night, as Mom tucked him in,
Wally whispered, “I think I like this no-whining thing.”
“I think we all do,” she said,
kissing his forehead. “You’ve got a strong voice, Wally. Now you’re learning
how to use it.”
Moral
to the Story Poem:
When things don’t go the way you
wish,
Or you’re denied your favorite dish,
Try not to moan or whine or pout—
Just use your words to talk it out.
Be clear, be kind, be calm, be smart—
And you’ll win every grown-up’s heart.
Three
Thought-Provoking Questions:
Why does whining usually make people
ignore what you’re saying?
What are some words you can use instead of whining to explain how you feel?
How would you help a friend who whines a lot understand a better way to ask for
help?
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