Moral of the Story:
When dark clouds gather and thunder rolls across the sky, it is okay to feel
a little afraid, but storms are simply part of nature’s song, and with love,
stories, and calm hearts beside us, even the loudest thunder can become just
another sound in the great and wonderful world that God made for us.
Benny the Bunny lived in a soft green meadow beside a tall forest filled
with oak and maple trees.
Most days were bright and cheerful. Butterflies drifted through the air, and
the warm sun made the grass glow bright and green.
Benny loved hopping through the meadow with his friends.
But one afternoon, the sky began to change.
The blue sky slowly turned gray.
Clouds gathered and grew bigger and darker.
The wind rustled through the trees, and the birds hurried back to their
nests.
Benny looked up nervously.
Then suddenly the sky flashed.
A bright streak of lightning lit the clouds.
A moment later came a loud rumble.
BOOM.
Benny’s ears popped straight up.
“Oh dear,” Benny whispered. “I do not like storms.”
The rain began to fall.
First, it came softly.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
But soon the rain grew heavier.
Pitter patter.
Drip drop.
Another flash of lightning streaked across the sky.
Then came another deep rumble of thunder.
Benny’s heart began to beat faster.
He quickly hopped into his cozy burrow, where Mama Bunny was waiting.
“Mama,” Benny said quietly, “the sky is making scary noises.”
Mama Bunny gently wrapped her soft paws around him.
“Storms can sound big and loud,” she said calmly, “but they are simply part
of nature. The rain helps the flowers grow and fills the rivers with water for
the animals.”
Another rumble echoed across the sky.
Benny squeezed closer.
Mama Bunny smiled softly.
“When I was a little bunny,” she said, “my mama told me that thunder is just
clouds bumping into each other while they play.”
Benny blinked in surprise.
“They are playing?” he asked.
Mama Bunny nodded.
“And lightning is just the sky taking a quick picture of the world.”
Benny listened carefully.
Outside the burrow, the rain tapped gently against the earth.
Drip drop.
Pitter patter.
Mama Bunny reached for a small storybook.
“Would you like to hear a story while the rain sings outside?” she asked.
Benny nodded.
As Mama Bunny read, something wonderful happened.
The thunder did not sound so scary.
The rain began to sound like music.
Soon, Benny smiled.
"Listen, Mama,” he said softly. “The rain sounds like tiny drums.”
Mama Bunny nodded.
“Sometimes the things that frighten us simply need a warm hug, a quiet
story, and a calm heart.”
Benny listened to the gentle rain.
The storm was still outside.
But Benny was no longer afraid.
Before long, Benny the Bunny fell asleep safely in his warm burrow while the
rain softly sang above him.
Moral of the story poem:
The thunder rolls across the sky.
The clouds grow dark and gray.
But safe inside with love and hugs
The fear just fades away.
The rain taps softly on the ground.
Like music, soft and sweet
And storms that once seemed very loud
Become a song to greet
Discussion Questions:
Why was Benny afraid when the storm began?
What did Mama Bunny do to help Benny feel calm?
What are some things that help you feel safe during a storm?
The Thunder Counting Game
When lightning flashes, you can play a fun game.
Watch the sky carefully.
When you see the lightning flash, begin counting slowly.
One
Two
Three
Four
Keep counting until you hear the thunder.
The number you reach tells you how far away the storm is.
If you count to a big number, the storm is far away.
Many children discover something exciting.
The numbers often get bigger and bigger.
That means the storm is moving away.
Before long, the thunder becomes quieter and quieter.
Storms always pass.
Become a Storm Explorer
When storms arrive, you can become a Storm Explorer.
Storm Explorers watch the clouds.
They listen to the rain.
They count the thunder.
They notice when the storm begins to fade away.
Storm Explorers know something important.
Storms are part of nature.
They come.
They go.
And brave explorers learn from them.
What Animals Do During Storms
Animals know exactly what to do when storms arrive.
Bunnies hop into warm burrows under the ground.
Squirrels curl up in hollow trees.
Birds tuck safely into their nests.
Foxes and deer rest beneath thick forests where the trees protect them.
Every animal finds a cozy place to wait.
Just like Benny in his burrow, children have safe places too.
A warm home.
A soft bed.
And loving people nearby.
Storm Sounds That Are Not So Scary
Rain can sound like tiny fingers tapping on the roof.
Tap tap tap.
Wind whispers through the trees.
Whoosh.
Thunder rumbles like a big drum rolling across the sky.
Boom.
Lightning flashes like a quick camera picture in the clouds.
When we listen carefully, storms are not monsters.
They are simply nature playing a loud and exciting song.
After the Storm Comes Something
Wonderful
Storms never stay forever.
Soon, the rain begins to soften.
The thunder fades away.
The clouds slowly drift apart.
Sunlight peeks through the sky.
Drops of rain sparkle on the grass like tiny diamonds.
Birds return and begin singing again.
Sometimes a beautiful rainbow stretches across the sky.
The world smells fresh and clean.
Children run outside and splash in puddles.
And everyone remembers something important.
Storms may seem scary at first.
But they always pass.
And sunshine always returns.
Benny’s Brave Storm Promise
When the clouds grow dark and the thunder begins to roll, Benny the Bunny
remembers something very important.
Storms may sound loud, but they cannot harm the safe and cozy places where
we rest.
The rain is simply watering the earth.
The wind is simply moving the clouds across the sky.
And the thunder is only the clouds talking to one another high above the
world.
So when the storm arrives, Benny takes a slow, deep breath and says his
brave promise.
I am safe.
I am calm.
The rain will pass.
The clouds will move on.
The thunder will fade.
The sky will clear.
The sun will shine again.
And I will be brave.
And as Benny the Bunny closes his eyes, he listens to the soft rhythm of the
rain, knowing that storms never last forever and that morning will always bring
sunshine.
For Parents
When your child feels afraid during a storm, invite them to repeat Benny’s
Brave Storm Promise slowly with you.
Breathing slowly while saying the words helps the body relax, the mind calm
down, and fear fade away.
Soon, the storm outside will simply become the gentle sound of rain, and your
child will drift peacefully off to sleep.
