By Bill Conley
Moral
of the Story:
Love isn’t just a word—it’s
something we show through our actions, our kindness, and our hearts. When we
listen, share, say thank you, and give hugs, we are showing love to those who
care for us. We love our parents by respecting them, helping out, and saying,
“I love you” with both our words and what we do. Love is not just a
feeling—it’s how we treat others every day.
In the sunny golden grasses of
Sunbeam Savannah, a little lion cub named Leo sat beside his mother one
morning, watching the birds fly high in the sky.
Leo turned his soft, fuzzy head and
asked a very big question.
“Mom, what is love?”
His mother looked at him with gentle
eyes and smiled. “Love, my sweet cub, is one of the most special things in the
whole world.”
“But… what is it?” Leo asked again.
“Is it a hug? Is it saying 'I love you'? Is it sharing my toys?”
His mom gave a little laugh.
“Yes—and much more. Love is something we feel deep inside, and something we
show by how we treat others.”
Leo tilted his head. “Can you show
me what love looks like?”
“I think you’ll see it for yourself
today,” she said. “But you’ll have to keep your eyes and heart wide open.”
That morning, Leo followed his big
sister Lila out to the watering hole. Lila had woken up early to help their mom
brush her fur and pick wildflowers to decorate the den.
“Thanks for breakfast, Mom!” Lila
called out as they left.
Leo leaned closer to his mom. “Was
that love?”
His mom nodded. “Yes, saying thank
you and helping without being asked is a way to show love.”
Leo smiled. That seemed easy enough.
Later, while walking through the
tall grass, Leo saw his dad fixing the broken swing that hung from the big
baobab tree. Suddenly, they heard a tiny squeak.
A baby turtle had wandered too far
and was stuck in the hot sun. Without saying a word, Leo’s dad gently picked
him up and moved him to the shade.
“Stay cool, little guy,” Dad
whispered.
Leo tugged on his dad’s tail. “Was
that love too?”
His dad smiled. “It sure was. Love
means helping others—even when you don’t have to.”
As the day went on, Leo saw more and
more acts of love.
His friend Benny the Baboon gave his
last banana chip to a hungry bird.
Mila the Meerkat let her little
brother take the first turn on the seesaw—even though she’d waited all day.
Even the old grumpy crocodile at the
riverbank gave a tired squirrel a ride across the water.
“Love is everywhere!” Leo
thought with wide eyes.
But then… something happened.
Leo was building a rock tower by
himself when his cousin Zeke ran by and accidentally knocked it over.
“My tower!” Leo cried. “You ruined
it!”
Zeke looked sorry. “I didn’t mean
to! I was just chasing a butterfly!”
Leo huffed and turned his back. “Go
away!”
His mom came over and crouched
beside him.
“Leo,” she said softly, “everyone
makes mistakes. Even when we’re upset, love means being gentle. Can you forgive
your cousin?”
Leo looked over at Zeke, who was
sitting under a tree, his head drooping.
He slowly got up and walked over.
“Hey, Zeke… I’m sorry I yelled. I know it was an accident.”
Zeke’s eyes lit up. “You really
forgive me?”
Leo nodded. “Yeah. Want to help me
build a new one?”
Together, they made a tower twice as
tall.
Leo’s mom watched from a distance
and smiled. Her cub was learning fast.
That evening, the family sat around
their campfire, watching the stars come out.
Leo snuggled into his mom’s side. “I
think I saw a lot of love today.”
“I know you did,” she whispered.
“I saw it when Lila helped. And when
Dad moved the turtle. And when Zeke and I made up.”
She nodded. “Love is in all of those
things. And you showed it today, too.”
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes,” his dad said, patting Leo’s
head. “You forgave, you shared, and you tried to understand. That’s what love looks
like.”
Leo sat quietly, thinking.
“Is love only for family?” he asked
after a moment.
“No,” his mom said gently. “Love can
be shown to everyone—friends, neighbors, even animals, and strangers. It’s how
we treat people, how we speak, how we listen.”
Leo sat up straighter. “I’m going to
show more love tomorrow. To everyone!”
“Good plan,” Lila said, laughing.
“Just don’t forget to start with your own family!”
Leo giggled and gave them all a hug.
Before bed, Leo brushed his teeth,
folded his blanket, and even helped tuck his little brother into bed.
“I love you,” he whispered to each
one of them.
And as he drifted off to sleep, he
thought, Love is big, but it starts with the little things.
Moral
Poem to End the Story:
Love is in the words we say,
And all the things we do each day.
Be kind, be gentle, help, and share—
Show someone special that you care!
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