Liberty the Eagle Learns What It Means to Be a Patriot
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story
Being a patriot begins with
gratitude—thanking God for the gift of our country and the freedoms we share.
It grows when we respect our flag, our laws, and those in authority who keep
communities safe. True love of country is shown in everyday choices: speaking
with kindness, helping neighbors, caring for our land, and doing our part so
everyone can live free.
High above Maple Ridge Valley, an
eaglet named Liberty circled on a pocket of warm wind. Her feathers
flashed bright in the sun as she practiced her turns. From up here, she could
see the whole town: the school with its tiny playground, the river sparkling
like a ribbon, and the hill where the big flag waved and snapped in the breeze.
Liberty loved that hill most of all.
Every morning, Grandpa Owl flew with the young animals to the flagpole,
where Ranger Buck, a kindly old deer who served as the valley’s
caretaker, raised the American flag. They placed their paws and wings over
their hearts and stood quietly as the cloth climbed the silver line and
unfurled against the sky.
One day after the flag had risen,
Ranger Buck invited the youngsters to sit in the grass. “Today is Civics Day,”
he announced with a smile. “We’re going to talk about what it means to love our
country.”
Liberty felt a flutter in her chest.
“Ranger Buck,” she asked, “I love the flag and I love our valley, but… what
does it really mean to be a patriot?”
Ranger Buck’s eyes twinkled. “What a
fine question. A patriot is someone who loves their country with respect and
responsibility. It’s not just cheering at parades. It’s doing the little things
every day that keep freedom strong.”
“Like what?” Squeaked Tally the
Chipmunk.
“Like obeying rules that keep
everyone safe,” said Ranger Buck. “Like telling the truth. Like helping our
neighbors when they need a hand. Like caring for our rivers and forests so
future generations can enjoy them too.”
Grandpa Owl nodded. “And like
honoring those who serve—police, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and
soldiers—people who give their days and occasionally their nights to protect the
freedoms we enjoy.”
Liberty’s feathers ruffled with
pride. She looked at the flag again. “I want to be that kind of patriot,” she
said. “But how do we start?”
“Start where you stand,” Ranger Buck
replied. “Right here. Right now.”
The
Litter Lesson
That afternoon, Liberty flew down to
the river to practice swoops with her friends Benny the Bear and Rosie
the Rabbit. The water made cheerful sounds as it hurried past the smooth
stones.
But along the bank, Liberty saw
something that made her chest tighten: litter. A plastic cup stuck between
rocks. An old paper bag snagged on a bush. Candy wrappers glittering in the
grass like false stars.
“This isn’t right,” Liberty said
quietly.
Benny frowned. “It makes the river
look sad.”
Rosie tugged the bag free and
sighed. “How does this help anyone’s freedom?”
Liberty remembered Ranger Buck’s
words: Start where you stand. She lifted her wings. “Let’s clean it,”
she said. “Let’s love our country by loving our river.”
They found a box and turned it into
a trash bin. They scooped up wrappers, bags, and bits of string, working
together until the shoreline looked like itself again—clean, bright, and free.
When they brought the box to the
ranger station, Ranger Buck set a paw to his chest. “That,” he said, “is
patriotism.”
“How?” asked Rosie.
“Because you protected something
that belongs to all of us,” said Ranger Buck. “That’s what patriots do.”
The
Parade of Thanks
A week later, Maple Ridge held its Freedom
Parade. Children waved little flags. A marching band played, feet thumping
in time. Police officers in blue and firefighters in shining helmets smiled and
tossed butterscotch candies to the crowd.
Liberty and her friends stood near
the corner with Grandpa Owl. As the first fire engine rolled by, Liberty felt a
decision rise inside her like a new sunrise. She stepped forward, placed a wing
over her heart, and bowed her head slightly. Benny, Rosie, and Tally copied her.
Soon the whole crowd grew still, and a soft hush of respect settled like dew.
The firefighter driving the engine
dabbed a quick tear from his eye. The police officers lifted their hands in a
grateful wave. The band played on, but the moment felt deeper, like the valley
itself was saying thank you.
Afterward, Grandpa Owl smiled.
“Liberty, you led us with your example.”
Liberty blushed beneath her
feathers. “I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”
“Patriots feel that,” Grandpa Owl
said. “Then they act on it with kindness and respect.”
The
Classroom Challenge
At school the next day, the friends
worked on a project called “How We Care for Our Country.” Some drew
parks with clean trails. Others wrote thank-you notes to the mayor and the
library staff. Liberty decided to paint the flagpole hill with Ranger Buck
raising the flag at dawn.
When it was time to share, Fritz
the Fox smirked and whispered, “Why bother with rules and flags? I just do
what I want.”
Liberty’s stomach fluttered, but she
remembered the courage she had learned in other lessons. She stood and spoke
clearly. “Rules aren’t there to boss us. They protect everyone’s freedom. And
the flag reminds us we belong to something bigger than ourselves.”
The room grew quiet. Fritz lowered
his eyes. “I… I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
Grandpa Owl nodded from the back of
the room. “Well said, Liberty. A patriot speaks truth with respect.”
The
Storm and the Choice
Two nights later, a windstorm lashed
Maple Ridge. Branches cracked, shingles rattled, and the big flag whipped
wildly on its pole. In the morning, the hill looked battered. The flag’s edge
was torn.
Ranger Buck stood at the base of the
pole, eyes misty. “She’s earned her rest,” he said softly. “This flag has
served us well. Today, we will retire it with honor and raise a new one.”
Liberty’s throat tightened. “Can we
help?”
“You must,” Ranger Buck said.
“Patriots don’t only cheer when the band plays; they show up when work needs
doing.”
They gathered at the hill at
sunset—Grandpa Owl, Ranger Buck, the young animals, and the townsfolk. Together, they folded the worn flag carefully, corners sharp, stripes tucked neatly, blue
field resting on top.
Ranger Buck spoke in a low, steady
voice. “This flag has flown over our homes and schools. It has reminded us to
be grateful, to be kind, and to be brave. We retire it with thanks.”
Then Liberty carried the folded flag
to a wooden chest made for such ceremonies. She placed it inside with gentle
paws. Ranger Buck attached a fresh flag to the rope. As it climbed, the town
sang softly, and Liberty felt tears prick her eyes—not sad tears, but proud
ones. The new flag unfurled and snapped in the evening breeze, bright against a
sky the color of peaches and violets.
Liberty whispered, “I’m so thankful
to live here.”
Grandpa Owl heard and nodded.
“Gratitude is the heartbeat of a patriot.”
Everyday
Patriot
From that day on, Liberty looked for
little ways to love her country:
- She picked up litter when she saw it and reminded
others to do the same.
- She crossed at the crosswalk and waited for the signal,
even when she was in a hurry.
- She thanked the bus driver, waved to the crossing
guard, and held the door for neighbors at the store.
- She listened to her teachers and did her best on
assignments, knowing that learning helps her serve others better one day.
- She spoke kindly about disagreements and looked for
ways to make peace.
When the town voted for a new
playground design, Liberty was too young to vote, but she joined the town day
of service, planting flowers and painting benches bright red and blue. Ranger
Buck snapped a picture of paint-spattered paws and smiling faces. “This is what
love of country looks like,” he said.
Not long after, Ranger Buck pinned a
small ribbon to Liberty’s feathers—red, white, and blue with a tiny silver
star. “For leadership,” he said. “And for reminding us that everyday choices
keep freedom strong.”
Liberty felt her heart lift like a
kite. She wasn’t the biggest or the loudest. But she could be faithful, right
where she stood.
Moral
of the Story Poem
Salute the flag, give thanks each
day,
Keep safe, the rules that guide our way.
Lend helping paws, speak true, be kind—
That is how patriots shape their time.
From rivers’ edge to classroom door,
Love of country starts with more:
More care, more thanks, more neighbor-love—
The freedoms we cherish are gifts from above.
Discussion
Questions
1.
How did Liberty show patriotism in
small, everyday ways?
2.
Why are rules and respect for
authority important in a free country?
3.
What is one thing you can do this
week to show love for your country and community?
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