Tommy the Turtle Stands Strong - A Children's Story

Tommy the Turtle Stands Strong
By Bill Conley, America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:

Temptation is when someone tries to get you to do something you know is wrong.
Even if everyone else is doing it, that does not make it right. Courage means standing strong, even when you feel afraid or alone. Listening to your parents and remembering what you have been taught keeps you safe. Honesty and integrity are more important than fitting in. When you say “no” to temptation, you say “yes” to being true to yourself.
Bravery is not about going along with the crowd—it’s about doing what is right, even when it’s hard. The strongest children are the ones who stand firm against temptation and choose kindness, honesty, and truth.

In the quiet pond at the edge of the forest lived Tommy the Turtle. Tommy wasn’t the fastest or the flashiest, but everyone knew he was dependable and kind. He always tried to do what was right—just as his parents had taught him.

One afternoon, after school, Tommy’s friends were gathered near the big oak tree. Max the Monkey, Ricky the Raccoon, and Lila the Lizard were laughing loudly.

“Come on, Tommy!” Max called, waving his arms. “We found a way into Old Farmer Gray’s garden. Let’s sneak in and grab some apples!”

Tommy’s shell felt heavy. He liked apples as much as anyone, but he also knew the garden wasn’t theirs. His parents had told him many times, “We don’t take what doesn’t belong to us. We ask.”

“That doesn’t sound right,” Tommy said quietly. “Those apples aren’t ours.”

Ricky rolled his eyes. “Don’t be such a scaredy-shell, Tommy. Everyone does it. Farmer Gray won’t even notice.”

Lila grinned. “Besides, it’ll be fun! Don’t you want to fit in?”

Tommy’s heart pounded. He wanted his friends to like him. He didn’t want to be left out. But deep inside, he knew it was wrong.

He remembered his father’s words: “The easy way is not always the right way. True strength is saying no when others say yes.”

Tommy shook his head slowly. “I can’t do it. It’s not honest.”

His friends groaned. “Suit yourself,” Max muttered. They dashed off toward the garden, giggling.

Tommy sat under the oak tree alone. His stomach churned. What if they never invite me again? What if they call me boring?

But then he thought of Farmer Gray, who often waved kindly when Tommy passed. He thought of his parents, who trusted him to make good choices. And most of all, he thought of his own heart.

I would feel worse stealing than being left out, he realized.

The next day, Farmer Gray came to the pond, looking troubled. “Some apples are missing from my garden,” he said. “Does anyone know what happened?”

Tommy’s friends shifted nervously, avoiding his gaze.

Tommy lifted his head. “I wasn’t there, Farmer Gray. But I know some friends were tempted. I told them it wasn’t right.”

Farmer Gray looked at him kindly. “Thank you, Tommy. You showed integrity. You did the right thing, even when it was hard.”

Max, Ricky, and Lila flushed with shame. “We’re sorry,” they mumbled.

Farmer Gray nodded. “It takes courage to admit mistakes. But Tommy showed us that true courage is not giving in to temptation at all.”

From that day on, whenever temptation came, whether it was sneaking into a garden, telling a lie to avoid trouble, or going along with mischief, Tommy remembered how strong he felt when he chose the right path.

He wasn’t afraid of being different anymore. Because Tommy the Turtle had learned that real bravery is standing firm when the world tries to push you the other way.

Moral of the story poem:

Temptation whispers, “Come, just try,”
But deep inside, you know the lie.
The easy road can lead to wrong,
So stand up tall, be brave, be strong.
Integrity shines when you say “no,”
Your courage helps your true self grow.
Do what is right, and you will see,
The strongest heart lives truthfully.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Why was it hard for Tommy to say no to his friends?

2.     How did Tommy feel after choosing to do the right thing?

3.     Can you think of a time when you were tempted to do something wrong? How did you handle it?