By Bill Conley
Moral
of the Story:
Reading, writing, and math are the
building blocks of learning that open doors to every adventure in life. School
isn’t just a place to sit—it’s a place to grow, explore, and discover the world
around you. Curiosity is the key to success, and asking questions, listening
closely, and studying hard help you become wise and confident. And when the
school day is done, asking your parents to read to you helps your mind and
heart grow even stronger.
Toby the Tortoise lived in a sunny
meadow at the edge of Wonder Wood Forest.
He wasn’t the fastest animal in
town, but he was one of the most curious.
Every morning, he woke up eager to
learn something new.
He had a bookshelf shaped like a
tree stump, and he kept every paper, pencil, and workbook neatly in place.
School was his favorite place to be.
“Why do you like school so much?”
asked Benny the Badger one day.
“Because school is how I grow
smart!” said Toby with a grin. “It’s where I learn how to think, explore, and
solve problems.”
“But reading and writing are
boring,” Benny groaned. “And I never understand math.”
Toby shook his head. “Reading lets
you travel anywhere. Writing lets you share your thoughts. And math—math helps
you solve puzzles in life.”
Benny just rolled his eyes.
That week, Miss Owl gave the class a
fun challenge: create your own storybook and present it to the class.
Toby beamed.
He spent hours reading stories for
ideas. He used his best handwriting to write the story of Toby the Explorer.
Then he carefully illustrated each page with colored pencils.
Every night, he asked his mom, “Can
you read it back to me?”
His mom would smile and say, “Of
course, sweetheart. Let’s hear how your story sounds.”
Toby would sit quietly, listening closely,
imagining the words coming alive.
Reading together was their favorite
time of day.
At school, Benny hadn’t even
started.
He forgot his reading book. His
story had two lines. And his pages were scribbled with no pictures.
“I’ll just make it up as I go,” he
muttered.
But when it came time to present,
Benny froze. “I don’t have anything,” he said quietly.
Miss Owl gently patted his back.
“That’s okay, Benny. Let’s listen to Toby.”
Toby walked to the front of the room
with his book clutched in his tiny paws.
He read clearly, showed his
pictures, and smiled the whole time.
The class clapped.
“Your story was awesome!” said Daisy
the Duck.
“I want to make one too!” said Milo
the Mole.
Benny whispered to Toby, “How did you
do that?”
“I studied, practiced, and read with
my mom,” said Toby. “That’s how I learn.”
The next day, Miss Owl started a new
unit in math.
They were learning how to measure,
count money, and tell time.
Toby asked questions, wrote neatly
in his workbook, and helped his classmates solve problems.
“That’s three quarters, one dime,
and two pennies,” he explained to Benny. “That’s 92 cents!”
Benny scratched his head. “You’re
really good at this.”
Toby smiled. “Because I do my
homework and ask for help when I’m stuck. Want to work together after school?”
Benny nodded. “Yeah... maybe I can
get better too.”
That afternoon, Toby and Benny sat
under the big tree with their math books.
Toby showed Benny how to line up
numbers, how to read a clock, and how to count change using nickels and dimes.
“You make it look easy,” Benny said.
“It’s not easy at first,” Toby said
honestly. “But studying makes it easier over time.”
Then he added, “And don’t forget—ask
your parents to read with you. It helps your brain grow.”
That night, Benny asked his mom to
read him a book. It was the first time he’d asked in weeks.
“I like this,” he said sleepily
afterward. “It makes me feel smart.”
“You are smart,” she
whispered. “You just needed to believe it.”
A few weeks later, the class had a
quiz in reading, writing, and math.
Toby finished confidently.
Benny did better than ever and
proudly turned in his paper with a smile.
Miss Owl read their results aloud
the next day.
“I’m so proud of each of you.
Especially Toby—for his hard work—and Benny—for trying his best!”
The class clapped again.
Toby blushed.
Benny gave Toby a high-five. “Thanks
for helping me.”
Toby grinned. “Learning is better
when we do it together.”
As the school year continued, Toby
kept learning new words, writing longer stories, and solving harder math
problems.
He never forgot to ask questions. He
never skipped his studies. And he never forgot to ask his mom to read with him
each night.
Toby knew something that some kids
didn’t realize yet:
Reading, writing, and math weren’t
just school subjects.
They were tools for life.
Toby grew up to be a great
storyteller, a helpful friend, and someone others came to when they needed
help.
And every time someone said, “How
did you learn all this?” Toby would smile and say:
“It all started with school,
curiosity, and a good book with my mom.”
Moral
Poem to End the Story:
Read each day and write with care,
Add and count, and be aware.
School is where your mind takes flight—
So learn with joy and shine your light!
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