By Bill Conley
Moral of the Story:
Listening the first time shows respect for those who care about us and are
trying to help. When we ignore instructions or wait to be told twice, we create
frustration, delay, and sometimes even danger. Obedience isn’t about
control—it’s about trust, safety, and kindness. When we listen, respect, and
respond the first time, we show maturity, grow in character, and become someone
others can count on.
In the sunny hills of Clover Creek lived a spunky little goat named Gracie.
Gracie had a curly tuft of hair
between her horns, springy legs that loved to leap, and a nose that always
found its way into trouble.
She was smart. She was strong. She was
sweet.
But she had one big problem—she
didn’t listen the first time.
“Gracie, come in for dinner!” her
mother would call.
“I’m coming!” Gracie would shout—ten
minutes later.
“Gracie, don’t jump on that fence!”
her father warned.
“I’m fine!” She’d yell, right before
falling into the flower patch.
Her teachers, her friends, and even the
farmer’s dog had to tell her things twice.
“Why should I rush?” Gracie would
say. “I hear them—I just don’t want to stop yet.”
One morning, her mother called from
the barn.
“Gracie, don’t go near the muddy
creek today—it rained all night and it’s too slippery!”
“Okay!” Gracie replied, not even
looking up.
But as soon as her mom turned
around, Gracie trotted down the hill.
“I’ll just take a peek,” she
said, skipping past a “Do Not Enter” sign.
She stepped on the muddy edge—
SPLASH!
Gracie slipped and tumbled into a
cold, gooey puddle. Mud covered her from ears to hooves.
She tried to climb out, but the bank
was too slick.
“Help!” She cried. “Mom! Dad!”
It took nearly an hour for her
parents to find her.
Soaked, cold, and ashamed, Gracie
looked down. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I should’ve listened.”
Her mom nodded. “Listening the first
time isn’t just about rules—it’s about keeping you safe.”
Her dad added gently, “We don’t tell
you things twice to annoy you—we do it because we love you.”
Gracie didn’t say much the rest of
the day.
But she was thinking… hard.
The next morning, her little brother
Gabe ran toward the fence.
“Don’t touch that!” their dad said.
“It’s been painted!”
Gracie jumped in front. “Gabe, no!
Listen the first time!”
Gabe stopped, wide-eyed.
Later, when her mom said, “Time to
come in, Gracie!” she trotted back right away.
When her teacher asked, “Everyone,
sit quietly,” Gracie was the first to sit.
Her classmates blinked. “What
happened to Gracie?”
“I’m just learning to listen,” she
said with a smile. “It saves a lot of trouble.”
That afternoon, the farmer’s dog
shouted, “Everyone inside! A storm is coming!”
Some goats laughed and rolled their
eyes.
Gracie didn’t. She grabbed her
little brother’s hoof and led him inside.
Moments later, the sky turned dark
and the rain poured down.
Inside the warm barn, the other
goats looked at her in awe.
“You listened the first time,” one
said.
Gracie nodded. “I’ve learned that
when someone cares enough to guide you, the best thing you can do… is obey with
respect.”
From that day on, Gracie became
known as the goat who not only had great leaps but great character.
She didn’t need a second reminder.
She listened, respected, and responded the first time—and life became smoother,
safer, and more joyful for everyone around her.
Moral Poem to End the Story:
When someone speaks, don’t make them plead,
The first time, said is all you need.
Obey with love, don’t roll your eyes—Respect begins when you realize.
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