Leo the Lion Cub Finds His Voice - A Children's Story

 

Leo the Lion Cub Finds His Voice

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story

God gave us voices to share truth, kindness, and courage, not to remain silent in fear.
When we speak with honesty, we show strength of heart and faith in what is right.
Silence in the face of fear allows wrong voices to grow louder, while truth brings peace.
True courage isn’t shouting the loudest but speaking with kindness when it matters most.
Your words have value, and they can build trust, heal hurt, and bring joy to others.
Believing in your convictions is part of growing into a strong and faithful leader.
Light always outshines darkness when love and truth are spoken. God’s gift of your voice was given so you can use it with confidence and care.

Across the golden plains of the African savanna lived a young lion cub named Leo. His fur glowed like the morning sun, and his paws carried him swiftly through tall grasses. But unlike the other cubs, Leo had one problem—his roar was quiet. Almost a whisper.

The other cubs would tumble and chase each other, practicing their roars. “Rrrroar!” they shouted, leaping on rocks and rolling in the dust. Their voices rang proudly across the fields.

But when Leo’s turn came, he hesitated. He opened his mouth, but only a soft sound slipped out.
“What if they laugh at me?” Leo thought. “What if my roar isn’t strong enough?”

So, more often than not, Leo stayed silent.

One evening, the pride gathered near a circle of tall acacia trees. The elder lions told stories of bravery, wisdom, and the importance of truth. Their deep voices rumbled like thunder across the plain.

At the end, the eldest lion asked, “Who among the cubs has learned a lesson they wish to share?”

The cubs shuffled their paws. No one spoke.

Leo’s heart pounded. Inside, he had words he longed to say: “Bravery is not just in fighting or clawing. True bravery is found when we use our voices to speak what is right, even when it is hard.”

But the moment slipped past him. He lowered his eyes and said nothing.

That night, Leo lay awake beneath the stars. His mother noticed his troubled face and padded over.

“What troubles you, little one?” she asked gently.

Leo sighed. “Today, I had something important to say, but I stayed silent. I was afraid the others would laugh, or that no one would listen.”

His mother nuzzled him warmly. “Leo, God gave you a voice for a reason. Not to roar the loudest, but to speak truth with courage. Even the softest voice, when spoken with conviction, is stronger than silence. Your voice can bring peace where there is anger, light where there is darkness, and courage where there is fear.”

Leo’s eyes grew wide. “But what if I’m still afraid?”

She smiled. “Courage isn’t the absence of fear, Leo. It’s choosing to do what is right even when you feel afraid. Trust God, and trust the gift He placed inside you.”

Leo curled into her side, her words echoing in his heart long after he fell asleep.

The next morning, while the cubs played near a watering hole, a quarrel broke out. Two cubs found the same stick and began tugging at it from both ends.

“It’s mine!” shouted one.
“No, I found it first!” shouted the other.

Their voices grew louder, and soon they began to push and swipe at each other. The other cubs circled around, watching.

Leo’s chest tightened. He felt the same nervousness rising. But his mother’s words returned: “Even the softest voice, when spoken with conviction, is stronger than silence.”

He took a deep breath, stood tall, and stepped forward.

“Stop fighting,” Leo said firmly. “The stick doesn’t matter. What matters is that we play together as friends.”

The other cubs fell quiet. They blinked in surprise, unused to hearing Leo speak so clearly.

Slowly, they dropped the stick. One cub muttered, “Leo’s right. It’s better to play together.”

The tension melted, and soon they were laughing and racing again, this time side by side.

Leo’s heart soared. He had spoken up, and his words had brought peace. His mother’s wisdom had been true: a voice spoken with courage could make a difference.

From that day forward, Leo practiced using his voice. Sometimes it was to stop quarrels, other times to encourage a friend. He discovered that even though his roar wasn’t the loudest, his words carried weight because they were honest and kind.

Weeks later, the pride gathered again under the acacia trees. The elders finished their stories and asked, “Who among you has learned something worth sharing?”

This time, Leo didn’t hesitate. He raised his head and padded forward, his heart beating quickly but steadily.

“I have learned,” he said, his voice clear, “that courage is not only in our claws or in a roar. Courage is in our voice when we speak truth and kindness, even when we are afraid. God gave us voices to bring light, and I choose to use mine.”

The savanna fell silent. Then, one by one, the lions began to roar, not in mockery, but in approval. Their mighty voices echoed across the plains, lifting Leo’s small but steady words high into the sky.

His mother smiled proudly. “That,” she whispered, “is the roar of a true leader.”

From that moment on, Leo the lion cub was no longer afraid to use his voice. He knew God had given it to him for a reason, and that speaking with courage and kindness could change the world around him.

Moral of the Story Poem

Your voice is a gift; don’t hide it away.
Speak truth with courage; let kindness stay.
Silence may whisper, but love must be heard.
The world grows brighter with every true word.
Stand tall and strong, let your voice be clear,
Faith gives you the courage to speak without fear.
For words can bring light, and help others see.
The leader you’re growing to be each day.

Discussion Questions

1.     Why was Leo afraid to use his voice at first, and what helped him overcome his fear?

2.     How did Leo’s words change the situation between the two fighting cubs?

3.     Can you think of a time when you had something important to say—did you stay silent, or did you speak up? What happened?