Casey the Cat Tries It All - A Children's Story

Casey the Cat Tries It All

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:

Quitters never win, and winners never quit. You’ll never know what you’re good at until you try. It’s better to join the game than watch from the sidelines. Every try, even the messy ones, brings you closer to success. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from adventure. Those who dare to try, learn, grow, and shine. Doing nothing leads nowhere; doing something leads to greatness. Life is a gift; open it, try it, and give it your all.

In the cheerful little town of Willow Glen, there lived a fluffy orange kitten named Casey. Casey loved naps, snacks, and screen time. She could spend hours watching videos of other animals doing amazing things: dogs surfing, rabbits jumping hurdles, and parrots singing songs.

But Casey herself? She didn’t do much at all.

When her friends played soccer, Casey said, “Maybe later.”
When they painted pictures, she said, “I’m not very good.”
When they invited her to the talent show, she said, “I’ll just watch.”

Casey’s mom would sigh and smile gently. “Honey, how will you ever know what you’re good at if you never try?”
Casey shrugged. “I don’t want to fail.”
Her mom knelt beside her. “Failing is just learning wrapped in practice.”

But Casey didn’t listen; she just curled up and watched her tablet.

One sunny Saturday, her friend Benny the Bunny bounced by. “Hey, Casey! We’re forming a soccer team. Come play!”
Casey hesitated. “Oh, I’m not really sporty.”
Benny smiled. “You’ve got quick paws and sharp eyes; you might be great at it!”
Casey shook her head. “What if I miss the ball?”
“Then you’ll try again,” said Benny.

Still, Casey stayed home.

Later that week, Ellie the Eagle flew down from the sky. “Casey! I’m teaching an art class at the community barn. Come join us!”
Casey frowned. “I can’t draw.”
“Neither could I when I started,” Ellie said, laughing. “That’s why it’s called learning!”
Casey looked away. “Maybe next time.”

Days turned into weeks. Casey’s friends were busy learning new things, soccer, art, guitar, and dancing, but she sat on her cozy couch, watching everyone else through the window.

One day, the town announced a big festival called The Great Talent Fair. There would be music, sports, games, and performances. Every young animal in Willow Glen could join in to show something they’d learned.

Benny practiced soccer kicks.
Ellie painted a huge mural.
Sally the Squirrel played the violin.
Even Timmy the Turtle practiced juggling!

Casey watched them all from afar, her heart feeling… strange. It wasn’t jealousy; it was emptiness.

That night, she told her mom, “Everyone has something they’re good at. I don’t.”
Her mom smiled softly. “You don’t find what you’re good at, Casey; you try until you become good at something.”
Casey thought about that for a long time.

The next morning, she stood up early and looked at herself in the mirror. “Alright, I’ll try something, anything!”

She ran to the park where Benny was kicking the ball around.
“Can I play?” she asked shyly.
Benny’s face lit up. “Of course! You can be our goalie!”

At first, Casey missed every ball. They rolled right past her into the net.
But she kept trying. She crouched lower. She learned to focus. She learned to pounce.

By the end of the morning, she had achieved her first goal.
“Way to go, Casey!” Benny cheered.
Casey beamed. “That felt amazing!”

The next day, she went to Ellie’s art class. Her first painting was a messy swirl of colors, but Ellie clapped.
“Wonderful! You used your imagination!”
So Casey came back the next day and tried again. Her second painting was better, and her third was even better.

Then Sally the Squirrel invited her to try the violin. The first few squeaks made everyone giggle, but Casey laughed too. She practiced and practiced until she could play a simple tune.

For the first time, Casey felt alive, busy, proud, and excited.
She realized that trying was fun, even when it was hard.

When the day of the Great Talent Fair arrived, Casey’s mom helped her pack three things: her goalie gloves, her paintbrush, and her violin.
“You’ve worked hard, sweetheart,” her mom said. “No matter what happens, I’m proud of you.”

At the fair, Casey played a small role in the soccer demonstration. She scored two goals and waved to the cheering crowd.
Then she showed her painting of Willow Glen, colorful and bright.
Finally, she played a short song on her violin. Her paws trembled, but when she finished, everyone clapped.

Casey’s heart filled with joy. She had done it, all of it, because she finally tried.

After the fair, Benny nudged her. “See? You’re amazing!”
Casey smiled. “I’m not amazing yet. But I’m learning, and I’m never going back to doing nothing.”

From that day forward, Casey became known around Willow Glen as “Casey the Tiger.”
She tried baking, dancing, and even karate! Some things she loved. Some she didn’t. But she never gave up again.

And every time she met someone who said, “I can’t,” she’d grin and say,
“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to try.”

Because Casey the Cat learned the secret of life,
Quitters never win, and winners never quit.

Poem:

Winners try, they fail, they climb,
They keep on going every time.
Quitters stop before they start.
But courage lives in every heart.
If you don’t try, you’ll never know.
How far can your faith and dreams go?
So jump right in, be brave, and begin.
The only way to lose is not to win.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Why was Casey afraid to try new things at first?

2.     What did she learn about practice and patience?

3.     What is something you’ve wanted to try, and what can you do to take the first step today?