Penny the Piglet Learns About Needs and Wants - A Children's Story

Penny the Piglet Learns About Needs and Wants

By Bill Conley  America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:

Money is a gift and a tool, but it must be used wisely. When we spend it only on things we want, it disappears quickly, leaving us with nothing when we truly need it. Needs are things that keep us safe, healthy, and cared for—like food, clothes, and shelter. Wants are extras—fun toys, games, and treats—that we enjoy but can live without. Wise children learn to save some of their money, spend some carefully, and give some generously. Saving builds strength for the future and prepares us for what we may need tomorrow. Spending wisely teaches self-control and responsibility. The happiest children are those who know the difference between needs and wants and choose to use their money with wisdom.

In Cloverfield Meadow, there lived a cheerful little piglet named Penny. Penny loved shiny coins. Whenever she found one, she would run home squealing with joy and drop it into her small piggy bank.

But Penny had a problem—she loved spending coins just as much as she loved saving them.

One sunny Saturday, Penny’s mama handed her three shiny coins. “Here you go, Penny. You’ve been helping with chores all week. This is your allowance.”

Penny’s eyes sparkled. “I’m going to buy candy! And a balloon! And maybe even a toy whistle!”

Mama Pig knelt down. “Slow down, sweetheart. Before you rush off, let’s talk about something important: needs and wants.”

“What’s that?” Penny asked, tilting her head.

“Well,” Mama explained, “a need is something you must have to live and be healthy—like food, water, clothes, or shelter. A want is something extra, something fun that you enjoy but don’t really need.”

Penny thought about that as she jingled the coins. “So… candy is a want?”

Mama nodded. “Exactly. It’s fun, but it doesn’t help your body grow strong. Now, if you needed lunch, that would be a need.”

Later that day, Penny skipped into town with her coins. At the first shop, she saw a giant lollipop. “Oh, I want it!” she squealed. But then she remembered Mama’s words.

The shopkeeper smiled. “It costs two coins.”

Penny paused. “Hmm… if I buy the lollipop, I’ll only have one coin left. What if I need something later?”

At the next shop, Penny saw a pair of warm socks. “Are those a want or a need?” she wondered aloud.

“Those are a need,” said the shopkeeper kindly. “When winter comes, you’ll need socks to stay warm.”

Penny decided to buy the socks. She spent one coin.

She tucked the second coin back into her pouch. “This is for saving.”

The third coin she held in her hoof. “And maybe I can share this one to help someone else.”

As she walked down the lane, Penny saw her friend Benny the Bunny looking sad.

“What’s wrong, Benny?” Penny asked.

“I lost my lunch money,” Benny sighed. “Now I can’t buy food.”

Penny thought hard. Candy was fun, but Benny’s lunch was a need. She smiled and handed him her third coin. “Here, Benny. Buy yourself lunch.”

Benny’s face lit up. “Thank you, Penny! You’re the best!”

Penny skipped home, proud of her choices. She had socks for winter, savings in her bank, and a warm heart from helping a friend.

When she told Mama what happened, Mama hugged her tight. “You’ve learned one of life’s greatest lessons, Penny: money is not just for spending—it’s for saving, meeting needs, and sometimes for helping others.”

From that day on, whenever Penny jingled her coins, she whispered to herself: “Some to spend on needs, some to save, and some to share.”

Moral of the story poem:

Money is special, a gift and a tool,
Use it with wisdom; that’s the rule.
Needs come first, like food and clothes,
They help you grow strong from your head to your toes.
Save a little for another day,
It helps when troubles come your way.
Wants are fun, but think them through,
Wise choices bring the best to you.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What’s the difference between a need and a want?

2.     How did Penny feel when she used one of her coins to help Benny the Bunny?

3.     What are some “needs” in your life, and what are some “wants”?

Saving Your Money the Smart Way

Money is like seeds—you can spend it all at once, or you can plant some and watch it grow. The smart way to use money is to:

1.     Save Some—put a coin or two into a jar or piggy bank.

2.     Spend Some Wisely—choose something you need or something you’ve planned for.

3.     Share Some—give a little to help someone else.

The 3 Jar Savings Chart

Jar	Purpose	Example
Save Jar	For the future	New bike, trip, big toy
Spend Jar	For now	Small toy, snack, book
Share Jar	To give	Help a friend; donate

Set a Goal

1.     Pick something you’d like to save for (a book, a game, a trip).

2.     Draw a picture of it and tape it above your Save Jar.

3.     Each time you add coins, color in a box on your chart until you reach your goal.

Remember

Saving money shows you are wise. Spending carefully shows you are responsible. Sharing shows you are kind. When you use money this way, you are learning how to be strong, smart, and generous!

Feel free to print out the black and white illustration below for your child to color.