Eddie the Early Bird Learns Why It Pays to Rise Early - A Children's Story

Eddie the Early Bird Learns Why It Pays to Rise Early

By Bill Conley

Moral of the Story:

Waking up early gives you a head start on the day and helps you make the most of your time. A healthy breakfast, a clear mind, and early action can open doors and opportunities that sleepyheads might miss. The early bird truly does get the worm—not just because he’s first, but because he’s focused, ready, and willing to act. Building good morning habits leads to success, energy, and a happy heart.

In the heart of Spruce Wood Forest, nestled in a tall oak tree, lived a young robin named Eddie.

Eddie was bright-eyed, cheerful, and full of ideas—but he had one big problem.

He loved to sleep in.

Every morning, the sun would rise, the bees would buzz, and the dew would sparkle on the leaves. Birds chirped, squirrels stretched, and critters scurried out to begin their day.

But Eddie?

Eddie was still under his covers, snoring softly.

His mother would whisper gently, “Eddie, time to rise. The early bird gets the worm!”

And every morning, Eddie would mumble, “The worm will still be there later…” and roll over.

But by the time Eddie finally fluttered out of his nest, the worms were long gone.

Breakfast? Cold.
The best berries? Picked.
The quiet, peaceful morning? Already filled with chatter and noise.

“Why is everything gone?” Eddie would ask.

“Because you slept through it,” his sister Ellie said. “You missed your chance!”

One day, Eddie’s grandpa sat beside him on a branch.

“Eddie,” he said kindly, “have you ever heard the real story of why the early bird gets the worm?”

Eddie blinked. “Isn’t it just a saying?”

Grandpa chuckled. “It’s more than that. Let me tell you something.”

Grandpa’s Story

Once upon a time, there were two young birds: Percy and Pete.

Percy woke up early every day. He stretched his wings, chirped a morning tune, and flew off to find breakfast while the grass was still damp with dew.

Pete, on the other hand, slept in late. He stayed up at night playing featherball and snoozed through the sunrise.

One morning, Percy found a fat, juicy worm right near his nest.

He pulled it out, thanked the earth, and flew back to enjoy his prize.

Later that day, Pete woke up, fluttered down, and saw nothing but dirt.

“No worms?” he cried.

“Nope,” said Percy. “The early bird got them.”

Pete grumbled, but the next day, he still slept in.

Time after time, Percy got stronger, faster, and healthier—because he started early, ate well, and had time to explore and learn.

Pete? Well, he stayed sluggish and grumpy, always a step behind.

Eventually, Pete realized that Percy had become one of the smartest, most successful birds in the forest.

And it all started with getting up early.

Eddie listened closely, eyes wide.

“Did that really happen?” he asked.

Grandpa smiled. “It happens every day, Eddie. Not just to birds. To squirrels, frogs, and even people.”

That night, Eddie went to bed earlier than usual.

The next morning, he opened one eye just as the first light peeked through the leaves.

He wanted to roll over—but he remembered Percy.

So he stretched, shook his feathers, and whispered, “Let’s try this.”

Eddie hopped out of his nest and soared into the morning air.

And oh, what he saw!

The forest was quiet and beautiful.
The air was crisp and cool.
The worms were out, wriggling and wet with dew.

Eddie dove down—and caught his first worm!

“I did it!” he chirped.

He munched on his breakfast and flew over to the berry bush. It was still full!

He picked the plumpest ones, the ones that usually disappeared by mid-morning.

Back at the nest, his mom smiled. “You’re up early!”

“I wanted to be like Percy,” Eddie said.

Later that morning, Eddie read a book, helped his sister gather seeds, and even cleaned out the clutter under his branch.

By lunch, he had already done more than most of his friends had all day.

That evening, he wasn’t tired—he was satisfied.

The next morning, Eddie woke up early again.

This time, he helped his neighbors carry twigs for nest repairs. He had energy, he felt sharp, and he noticed something wonderful:

He liked how it felt to start early.

Soon, Eddie became known as the Early Bird of Sprucewood Forest.

When the sun rose, you could see his wings soaring across the sky.

When other birds grumbled about sleepy eyes and missed chances, Eddie was already on his second worm.

He still had fun. He still read and played and sang.

But now he knew that a good morning gave him a good day.

One afternoon, his friend Max, a sleepy blue jay, asked, “Why are you always so happy?”

Eddie grinned. “Because I rise with the sun, eat my breakfast early, and get the good stuff before it’s gone.”

Max groaned. “I can’t wake up that early.”

Eddie winked. “You can. Just go to bed earlier. You’ll thank yourself tomorrow.”

And so, the saying became true—not just in words, but in life.

The early bird really does get the worm.

Not because he’s lucky—but because he’s ready.

Moral Poem to End the Story:

Wake up early, stretch and rise,
See the light in morning skies.
Eat your breakfast, start your day—
The early bird will lead the way!