Gracie the Goose Grows in Grace - A Children's Story

Gracie the Goose Grows in Grace

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:
Grace is love in action, a gentle kindness that forgives, helps, and heals. It means showing compassion when others make mistakes. Grace gives second chances, listens with patience, and leads with love. When we live with grace, we reflect the heart of God. Grace turns anger into peace, hurt into hope, and mistakes into lessons of love. And when we give grace to others, we grow in grace ourselves.

In a sunny meadow by Willow Pond lived a young goose named Gracie. Her feathers were soft as snow, and her heart was as bright as the morning sun. Everyone loved Gracie because she was cheerful, curious, and full of energy. But sometimes, when things didn’t go her way, she would honk loudly or grow impatient.

One breezy morning, Gracie and her friends, Benny the Beaver, Lila the Lamb, and Toby the Turtle, were building a new nest of twigs and reeds. They were laughing and chatting when Benny dropped a big stick into the pond. It splashed muddy water all over Gracie’s clean, white feathers.

“Oh, Benny!” Gracie cried. “Now look at me! I’m a mess!”

Benny frowned and whispered, “I didn’t mean to, Gracie.”

Just then, Gracie’s grandmother, Grandma Grace, waddled over from the water’s edge. She had the gentlest eyes in the meadow and a voice that always brought peace.

“Gracie,” she said softly, “do you know what ‘grace’ means?”

Gracie tilted her head. “Grace? Isn’t that your name, Grandma?”

Grandma Grace smiled. “It is, but Grace means more than a name. Grace is what we give when we forgive. It’s kindness even when someone doesn’t deserve it. It’s love that never gives up.”

She opened her small, worn Bible and read aloud.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Gracie listened carefully. “So grace means forgiving, even when it’s hard?”

“Yes,” said Grandma. “Grace is choosing love over anger. When we give grace, we give others a chance to grow.”

Gracie looked at Benny, who still looked sad. Her heart softened. “I forgive you, Benny,” she said kindly. “It was just an accident.”

Benny’s face brightened. “Thanks, Gracie! Let’s start again.”

So they rebuilt the nest, and this time it turned out stronger and prettier than before.

A few days later, the friends were playing by the pond. Lila the Lamb brought a new jump rope she made from vines. “Let’s play!” she said. But when it was Gracie’s turn to jump, she tripped and landed right in a puddle.

Everyone tried not to laugh, but Gracie felt embarrassed. She brushed off the mud and frowned. “That wasn’t funny,” she said sharply.

Toby the Turtle looked up at her. “We didn’t mean to laugh, Gracie. We thought you were okay.”

Gracie crossed her wings. For a moment, she wanted to stay upset. But then she remembered Grandma’s words: Grace is love in action.

She took a deep breath and smiled. “It’s all right,” she said. “I guess I made the biggest splash of the day!”

Everyone laughed with relief. Lila handed her the rope again, and they all took turns playing until sunset.

That evening, Grandma Grace joined them by the pond. The golden sun shimmered on the water as she read another verse.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” – Psalm 103:8 (NIV)

Gracie nestled close to her grandmother. “I think I understand a little more now,” she said. “Grace means not getting mad when I could and being kind instead.”

Grandma nodded. “That’s right, my dear. Grace makes the world gentler.”

One morning, a strong wind blew across the meadow, scattering feathers, leaves, and twigs everywhere. Their beautiful nest was destroyed. Gracie’s first thought was to cry, but she remembered how much Grandma had taught her about grace.

“We can rebuild,” she said confidently. “Let’s all help one another.”

Toby, Lila, and Benny got to work. Together they gathered twigs, reeds, and leaves, laughing as the wind swirled around them. Soon, their new nest stood taller and stronger than ever.

When they finished, Grandma Grace waddled over and smiled. “That’s grace in action,” she said proudly. “You forgave, you worked together, and you shared love.”

Then she read aloud another verse,

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Gracie’s heart swelled with joy. She was learning that grace wasn’t just something you felt,  it was something you did.

That night, as the stars twinkled above the pond, Grandma read one final verse:

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Gracie looked up at the sky and whispered, “I want to keep growing in grace, Grandma, just like you.”

Grandma Grace smiled and wrapped a wing around her. “And you will, my sweet Gracie. Every time you choose kindness over anger, forgiveness over pride, and love over fear, you are growing in grace.”

Gracie smiled, her heart full of peace. She had learned that grace wasn’t about being perfect; it was about being loving, forgiving, and kind, just like God.

Poem:
Grace is gentle, calm, and sweet.
It helps us stand on kinder feet.
It soothes the heart and lifts the soul.
And makes the broken places whole.
When someone slips or makes a mess,
Grace forgives and loves them best.
It grows in hearts both big and small,
Because God’s grace is meant for all.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What does grace mean to Gracie, and how did she learn to show it?

2.     Which Bible verse in this story helps you understand grace the best?

3.     Can you think of a time when you showed grace or when someone showed grace to you?