Liberty the Eagle Learns the Pledge of Allegiance
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story
The Pledge of
Allegiance is more than words—it is a promise of respect and unity.
When we say the pledge, we honor our country, our flag, and the freedoms we
enjoy. Each line reminds us of liberty, justice, and the importance of standing
together. Children who learn the pledge understand that respect for country
also means respect for each other. Patriotism is love in action—expressed
through gratitude, obedience to laws, and pride in our nation.
Liberty the Eagle soared high above the
valley, his wings stretched wide against the morning sky. The cool wind lifted
him higher and higher until the world below looked like a patchwork quilt—green
meadows, winding rivers, and a cluster of houses that marked the little town at
the center of it all. At the very heart of the town stood a tall flagpole. The
American flag waved proudly in the breeze, bright against the blue sky.
Liberty loved
to fly above the flag. He admired the way it never stopped moving, always
strong and steady no matter how the wind blew. But deep down, Liberty didn’t
understand everything the flag stood for. He knew it was important, but he
didn’t know why.
One bright
morning, Liberty decided to glide down near the schoolhouse that sat by the
flagpole. As he perched on the wooden fence, he noticed something curious. All
the young animals—Rosie the Rabbit, Benny the Bear, Tally the Chipmunk, and Leo
the Lion Cub—were standing together. Each had a paw over their heart. Their
eyes looked toward the flag as their voices rose in unison.
Liberty tilted
his head. “What are you all doing?”
Rosie the
Rabbit smiled. “We’re saying the Pledge of Allegiance!”
“The Pledge of…
what?” Liberty asked, blinking.
Benny the Bear
puffed out his chest proudly. “The Pledge of Allegiance! It’s the promise we
make to our country. Every morning before school starts, we say it together.”
“A promise to
the flag?” Liberty asked, ruffling his feathers. “I don’t understand. Can
someone teach me?”
The animals
looked at one another. Then Leo the Lion Cub stepped forward. “Of course,
Liberty! You’re an eagle—you’re the perfect one to learn. Eagles are a symbol
of our country’s freedom!”
Liberty felt a
flutter of pride in his chest but also a wave of confusion. “Please explain,”
he said softly. “What do the words mean?”
Just then, the
teacher, Mrs. Owl, flapped down from the schoolhouse porch. She was wise and
kind, her feathers flecked with silver. “Children,” she said gently, “let’s
help Liberty learn the meaning of the pledge. We’ll take it line by line, so he
understands every word.”
The young
animals nodded eagerly. Rosie the Rabbit hopped to the front.
“I pledge
allegiance…” she began.
“That means,”
Mrs. Owl explained, “I make a promise to be loyal. Allegiance is another word
for loyalty.”
Liberty tilted
his head. “So when I pledge allegiance, I’m promising to stand by something,
even when it’s difficult?”
“Exactly,”
Rosie said with a bright smile.
Next came Benny
the Bear. “…to the flag of the United States of America.”
“The flag,”
Benny explained proudly, “represents our whole country. The stars are for the
states, the stripes are for the colonies, and the colors remind us of courage,
purity, and justice.”
“So when we say
this part,” Mrs. Owl added, “we’re not just promising to a piece of cloth.
We’re honoring the nation, the people, and the ideals the flag stands for.”
Liberty’s chest
swelled. He had always admired the flag from the sky, but now it seemed even
more important—like it carried the heart of the nation itself.
Tally the
Chipmunk scampered forward. “…and to the Republic for which it stands.”
“A republic,”
Mrs. Owl explained, “means a country where the people choose their leaders
through voting. It represents freedom, fairness, and responsibility.”
Liberty nodded
slowly. “So it means our voices matter. We help shape our country.”
“Correct,”
Tally said with a squeak of excitement.
Now it was Leo
the Lion Cub’s turn. He stood tall and spoke with pride: “One nation under God,
indivisible…”
“This part
reminds us that our country is united,” Mrs. Owl said. “We honor God above all,
and we remember that our nation is strongest when we stand together.
Indivisible means it cannot be divided.”
Liberty looked
at his friends—different animals, each unique, yet standing as one. “We may be
many,” he said thoughtfully, “but we are one nation.”
Finally, Rosie
recited the last line: “…with liberty and justice for all.”
“This,” Mrs.
Owl said warmly, “is the heart of it. Liberty means freedom. Justice means
fairness. And this promise is for everyone—not just some people, but all.”
Liberty’s eyes
glistened. “Freedom and fairness for all. That’s powerful indeed.”
Liberty’s First Pledge
Mrs. Owl turned
to Liberty. “Now, would you like to say it with us?”
Liberty’s wings
trembled with excitement. He stood tall, placed his wingtip across his chest as
he had seen the others do, and gazed at the flag waving in the morning breeze.
Together, their
voices rose:
“I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.”
Liberty’s voice
cracked at first, but by the end, he spoke boldly. When they finished, the flag
rippled gently, as though it had heard their words and accepted their promise.
The Lesson
Afterward,
Liberty asked quietly, “Why do we say it every day?”
Mrs. Owl folded
her wings around her and explained, “Because remembering matters. Every time
you say the pledge, you remind yourself of loyalty, unity, and love for your
country. It helps you grow into a responsible citizen—one who respects laws,
honors others, and protects freedom.”
Benny the Bear
added, “It’s not just words. It’s a way of showing gratitude for all the
blessings we have.”
Rosie the
Rabbit nodded. “And it reminds us that we are part of something bigger than
ourselves.”
Tally squeaked,
“It helps us live together in peace, knowing we all share the same promise.”
Leo the Lion
Cub roared softly, “And it teaches us courage. Courage to stand up for freedom,
fairness, and unity.”
Liberty
stretched his great wings. “Then I want to say it every day too—not because I
have to, but because I want to. Because I believe in it.”
The animals
cheered. From that day on, Liberty never missed a pledge. Each morning, his
clear voice rose with the others, strong and sure, carrying the promise of
unity, respect, and love.
Moral of the Story Poem:
A flag that
waves against the sky,
Reminds us all of the reasons why.
A pledge we make, both strong and true,
Shows love for the country shining through.
With liberty and justice near,
We live with pride and without fear.
For one great nation, hand in hand,
Together strong, we proudly stand.
Discussion Questions
1. What did Liberty the Eagle learn about the meaning of
the Pledge of Allegiance?
2. Why is it important to say the pledge with
understanding and not just repeat the words?
3. How can you show respect for your country, your
community, and the people around you in your daily life?
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