Parker the Pelican Remembers Pearl Harbor
By Bill Conley - America’s Favorite
Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
The story of Pearl Harbor reminds us
that peace is fragile, and freedom requires courage, unity, and love. It
teaches that even in the darkest moments, brave hearts rise to protect others
and give hope to the world. Remembering the past is not about sadness, but
about gratitude for those who stood strong so that others might live in peace.
Every act of service, every moment of bravery, and every sacrifice made in the
name of freedom should be honored and remembered. When we come together as one,
we grow stronger and wiser, ensuring that the mistakes of the past do not
return. The light of remembrance keeps courage alive, and gratitude turns
sorrow into strength. Pearl Harbor Day is a time to thank those who gave
everything and to promise that we will cherish peace in our hearts. Parker the
Pelican learns that true remembrance is not just about looking back, but about
living forward with kindness, unity, and hope.
The sun glistened across the calm
blue waters of Paradise Bay, where pelicans soared, dolphins leapt, and turtles
glided through the sea grass. The waves whispered softly, carrying the songs of
the ocean to every shore.
Among the many creatures who called
the bay home was a young pelican named Parker. He was cheerful, curious, and
always full of questions. Every morning, he greeted the sunrise by spreading
his wings wide and gliding above the sparkling waves, watching the world awaken
below him.
One morning in early December,
Parker noticed something unusual. The older animals were gathered quietly by
the coral rocks, their faces solemn. The bay was peaceful, yet there was a
heaviness in the air.
Parker landed near his old friend
Toby the Turtle, who was wise and gentle and had seen many seasons come and go.
“Good morning, Toby,” Parker said. “Why is everyone so quiet today? Did
something happen?”
Toby lifted his wrinkled head and
gazed out toward the horizon. “Good morning, Parker. Today is December seventh,
a day we call Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It is a day to remember something
that happened long ago, right here in these waters.”
Parker tilted his head. “Here? In
Paradise Bay?”
“Yes,” said Toby softly. “Many years
ago, this place was called Pearl Harbor. It was home to sailors and ships from
a country called America. On a Sunday morning in 1941, while everyone was still
waking up, planes filled the sky without warning. They dropped bombs that
struck the harbor, and in moments, everything changed. Many brave souls were
lost that day.”
Parker’s eyes widened. “That sounds
terrible. Why would anyone do that?”
“No one expected it,” Toby said. “It
was a surprise attack. The sky grew dark with smoke, the ships burned, and the
people were frightened. But even in that darkness, heroes rose. Sailors risked
their lives to save others. Medics rushed through the flames to help the
wounded. Strangers became brothers and sisters as they worked together to
protect one another.”
Parker stared into the blue water
that shimmered beneath them. “So this place, our bay, was once filled with fire
and fear?”
Toby nodded slowly. “Yes, my friend.
But from that terrible day came lessons that still matter today. The people
learned that freedom is precious, that peace must be protected, and that
courage can be found in the hearts of ordinary individuals who refuse to give
up. Pearl Harbor changed the world, and we honor it so that we never forget how
important peace truly is.”
Parker grew quiet. He thought about
how easy it was to take peace for granted, how safe he felt every day flying
over calm water and soft waves. That night, he could not sleep. He kept hearing
Toby’s words echoing in his mind: Freedom is precious, and peace must be
protected.
The next morning, Parker had an
idea. He wanted to help everyone in Paradise Bay remember the meaning of Pearl
Harbor Day. He flew from reef to reef, calling to his friends.
“Lulu the Lizard, Rosie the Reef
Fish, Danny the Dolphin, and Maggie the Myna Bird! Meet me by the shore at
sunset! We’re going to do something special.”
When the sun began to set, the
animals gathered along the sand. The sky was painted in orange, pink, and
purple hues, reflecting beautifully over the still water. Parker stood proudly
on a coral rock and looked at his friends.
“Today,” Parker began, “we honor the
heroes of Pearl Harbor. Long ago, right here, the world changed forever. But
from their bravery came peace, from their sacrifice came freedom, and from
their pain came hope. We must never forget what they did or why we live in
peace today.”
Danny the Dolphin nodded. “What can
we do to show our respect?”
Parker smiled. “We can build a memorial right here in the bay. Something made from what we have—something
that shines like hope.”
The animals began to work together.
Rosie gathered shells from the reef, Lulu found smooth stones, and Maggie
brought colorful feathers from the cliffs. Danny dove deep to bring back
glistening pieces of coral. Parker arranged them into a circle on the sand, and
as the tide came in, the moonlight touched the water and made their creation
sparkle like a ring of stars.
The animals stood quietly around
their memorial. No one spoke for a long time. The only sound was the gentle
rhythm of the waves.
Finally, Toby the Turtle arrived,
his shell glistening in the moonlight. He looked at what the animals had
created and smiled with pride. “This is beautiful,” he said softly. “You have
made a promise—to remember, to honor, and to live in peace.”
Parker felt warmth in his chest.
“Toby,” he asked, “do you think the heroes of Pearl Harbor can see us?”
Toby looked toward the horizon. “Yes,
Parker. I believe their spirit is carried on every wave and every breeze. And I
think they would be proud to know that even the smallest creatures of the sea
remember them with love.”
As the stars began to shine, Parker
lifted his wings toward the sky. “To all who were brave,” he said quietly,
“thank you.”
All the animals bowed their heads
and whispered together, “We will never forget.”
The waves gently washed over the
sand, glimmering in the light of the moon. Peace once again filled the bay, and
the creatures of Paradise knew that their promise would never fade.
From that day on, every year on
December seventh, Parker and his friends gathered at sunset to remember. They
didn’t speak of war or loss, but of peace, unity, and gratitude. And every time
Parker looked out over the calm waters of Paradise Bay, he felt proud to live
in a world where remembering meant loving, where gratitude meant peace, and
where hope always rose with the sun.
Moral
of the Story Poem:
When morning breaks and skies are
blue,
Remember those who died for you.
They faced the fire; they stood so tall.
So peace could shine for one and all.
Their courage lives in hearts that care.
Their memory floats upon the air.
Be thankful for the lives they gave.
For peace they built, for love they paved.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
What did Parker the Pelican learn
about the meaning of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day?
2.
How did Parker and his friends honor
those who showed bravery and sacrifice?
3.
Why is it important to remember and
talk about events from the past?
