By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Confidence begins with what you tell
yourself. You don’t have to brag to believe you’re great; just work hard, stay
kind, and keep growing. When you believe in your own worth, others will see it
too. Greatness isn’t about being better than someone else—it’s about being your
best self. Faith in yourself builds courage and resilience. Each goal you reach
makes you stronger inside. A humble heart and a confident mind make a powerful
team. You are great because you choose to believe you are.
In the heart of Pinewood Forest
lived a cheerful little beaver named Billy.
He was curious, clever, and full of ideas. Billy loved building things: little
dams in the creek, stick bridges, and even tiny rafts for his friends to float
leaves down the river.
One morning, while working beside
the water, he looked at his reflection and said with a grin,
“I’m Billy the Great!”
He giggled, almost surprised at his
own words.
His mother smiled from nearby.
“Billy the Great, huh?” she said, amused.
Billy nodded shyly. “I don’t mean
great like better than everyone. I just mean… I like who I am. I try hard. I
think I’m doing pretty great.”
His mom chuckled. “Well, I think
that’s wonderful, Billy. Believing in yourself is where greatness begins.”
From that day on, whenever Billy
faced something tough, building a taller dam, swimming against the current, or
learning a new skill, he’d whisper to himself,
“I’m Billy the Great. I can do this.”
He didn’t shout it or brag to his
friends. It was just something he carried inside, like a secret spark of
courage.
And it worked.
When his school held the Forest
Field Games, Billy signed up for three events: the long jump, the log roll,
and the relay swim. He wasn’t the biggest beaver or the fastest swimmer, but he
believed in himself.
“Are you nervous?” asked his friend
Toby the Turtle.
“Maybe a little,” Billy said, “but
I’m Billy the Great, and I’m going to give it my all.”
The first event began. Billy
crouched low, pushed off, and leapt farther than he ever had before.
He didn’t win first place, but he beat his own record, and that felt amazing.
“Nice job, Billy!” shouted his dad.
“That was your best yet!”
For the log roll, Billy faced off
against the older beavers. He wobbled at first, nearly falling into the water,
but steadied himself.
“Come on, Billy the Great,” he whispered. “You’ve got this.”
He didn’t fall. He finished second, but
grinning from ear to ear.
Then came the relay swim. Billy’s
team was behind when it was his turn. He dove in, kicked hard, and pushed
through the current. Every stroke felt tough, but he didn’t give up.
When he touched the finish line, his team won by a whisker!
The crowd erupted. His mom and dad
cheered, “That’s our Billy the Great!”
Billy blushed, smiling shyly. “Well…
I just did my best.”
From then on, whenever someone
doubted themselves, Billy was quick to encourage them.
When Penny the Puppy said, “I’m
terrible at running,” Billy said, “You just haven’t found your pace yet.”
When Ollie the Owl said, “I’m scared
to try something new,” Billy said, “Start small. You’ll get there.”
And when his friend Toby sighed,
“I’ll never be fast,” Billy smiled and said, “Maybe not fast—but you’re steady
and strong. That’s your kind of great.”
The forest animals soon started
calling him “Billy the Great,” not because he bragged or showed off, but
because his confidence helped everyone around him feel a little greater too.
Years passed, and Billy grew into a
strong, wise beaver known for his skill and kindness.
He built bridges, helped others learn to swim, and led young animals in games
that taught teamwork and courage.
One day, a little beaver named Benny
tugged at his paw. “Billy,” he said shyly, “you’re really great. How do you do
it?”
Billy smiled and knelt beside him.
“Well, Benny, I started by telling myself I was great—even when I wasn’t sure I
was. Then, every day, I tried to act like it. I worked hard, stayed
kind, and didn’t give up.”
Benny blinked. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Billy said with a grin.
“You see, greatness isn’t about what others think of you—it’s about believing
in who God made you to be.”
That night, as the moon shimmered
over the river, Billy sat by the water again. He looked at his reflection,
smiling softly.
“I’m still Billy the Great,” he
whispered. “And I’m still growing.”
And deep inside, that same spark of
confidence glowed brighter than ever, because Billy knew that the greatest kind
of great was believing in yourself, trying your best, and helping others see
their greatness too.
Poem:
Greatness isn’t loud or proud,
It doesn’t shout above the crowd.
It whispers softly, calm and true,
“I believe in me and you.”
Each try, each dream, each loving deed,
Is greatness growing from a seed?
Be humble and kind, and do your best.
And let your greatness pass the test.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
Why did Billy call himself “Billy
the Great”?
2.
What did Billy learn about true
greatness?
3.
How can believing in yourself help
others around you?
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