By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Good manners show respect for others
and make the world a kinder place. Politeness begins with small words like
please, thank you, and excuse me.
Treating others kindly shows the beauty that lives inside your heart. People
remember how you make them feel more than what you say. Manners open doors that
rudeness will always keep closed. hen we speak gently and listen carefully, we
make others feel valued. Kindness is never wasted, even in the smallest acts of
respect. A thoughtful heart and gentle words are the best manners of all.
In the cheerful town of Willow
Hollow lived a tiny mouse named Mia. She was bright, quick, and curious about
everything. Mia loved to explore, talk, and share her ideas. But she had one
little problem: she sometimes forgot her manners.
When her mother made breakfast, Mia
would rush to the table and shout, “I want the biggest piece of cheese!”
When her friend Ellie the Squirrel offered her nuts, Mia would grab them
without saying thank you.
And when Grandpa Mouse told stories, Mia often interrupted to say, “I already
know that part!”
Her mother sighed one morning.
“Mia,” she said gently, “good manners make hearts happy. When you are polite,
you show others that you care.”
Mia twitched her whiskers. “But I am
just being honest, Mama. Why does it matter if I forget to say please or thank
you?”
Mama smiled. “Because words can warm
a heart or hurt it. Manners are like sunshine—they make everyone feel
brighter.”
Mia tilted her head. “I do not mean
to be rude.”
“I know,” said Mama. “You just need
to practice. Let us start today.”
After breakfast, Mia decided to
visit her best friend, Ellie the Squirrel. As she hurried down the path, she saw
Ellie carrying a basket of acorns. “Hi, Ellie!” she called. “Give me some of
those!”
Ellie stopped and frowned. “Mia, do
you mean please?”
Mia blinked. “Oh… right. Please?”
Ellie smiled. “Of course you may
have some.”
Mia took one and nibbled happily.
“Thank you, Ellie,” she said with a little grin. It felt strange but nice to
say it.
As they walked, they passed Mr.
Hedgehog trimming his bushes. “Good morning, girls,” he said cheerfully.
Mia waved her paw. “Good morning,
Mr. Hedgehog!” Then she added, “Your garden looks beautiful!”
Mr. Hedgehog beamed. “Why, thank
you, young lady. What a polite little mouse you are.”
Ellie whispered, “See? Manners make
people smile.”
Mia giggled. “I guess they really
do.”
Later that day, the friends went to
the Berry Market. It was busy and full of chatter. Mia and Ellie stopped at
Mrs. Robin’s stand to buy strawberries.
“How many would you like, dears?”
Mrs. Robin asked.
Mia started to point and shout,
“Give me that big one!” but then she remembered what her mother had said. She
took a breath and said sweetly, “May I please have three strawberries?”
Mrs. Robin smiled warmly. “Of course
you may, Mia. And since you asked so nicely, here’s an extra one for you.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Really? Thank
you so much!”
Ellie laughed. “See what good
manners can do?”
As they left the market, Mia said,
“I think being polite is kind of fun. Everyone seems happier.”
Ellie nodded. “That is because
manners show respect.”
That evening, the friends gathered
for the Summer Picnic by the pond. All the animals brought food to share. Mia
proudly carried a plate of her mother’s cheese biscuits.
When it was time to eat, Mia waited
patiently in line instead of rushing to the front. She helped the younger
animals carry their plates and said, “Excuse me” when she needed to pass by.
Mrs. Rabbit noticed and whispered to
Mama Mouse, “Your little one has become so well-mannered. She is setting a
wonderful example.”
Mama Mouse smiled proudly. “She is
learning that kindness always finds its way back.”
When everyone finished eating, Mr.
Badger stood up and said, “Let us thank everyone who helped make this picnic
possible.”
Mia jumped up and clapped. “Thank
you, everyone!” she squeaked joyfully.
The crowd laughed and cheered. Even
the fireflies seemed to twinkle brighter in agreement.
As the evening grew quiet, Mia and
her mother walked home under the stars.
“Mama,” Mia said softly, “today felt
really good. Everyone smiled at me. I think I understand why manners matter
now.”
Mama smiled. “And why is that, my
dear?”
“Because manners are just love in
little words,” said Mia.
Mama squeezed her paw. “You are
exactly right.”
From that day on, Mia became known
throughout Willow Hollow as the mouse with the biggest heart and the sweetest
manners. She always said please, thank you, and excuse me. She let others go
first, listened without interrupting, and shared her kind words wherever she
went.
Whenever someone forgot their
manners, Mia would gently remind them, “Good words make good friends.”
And each night, as she drifted off
to sleep, she whispered a prayer of thanks for the simple lessons that made her
world so much brighter.
Poem:
Please and thank you, kind and true,
Make hearts bright in all you do.
Gentle words can heal and mend,
Bringing joy from friend to friend.
Speak with love and act with grace,
Kindness shines in every place.
When manners bloom like morning dew,
The world feels better thanks to you.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
How did Mia’s behavior change when
she started using good manners?
2.
What happened when Mia spoke kindly
to others instead of rushing or demanding?
3.
How can you use manners to make
someone’s day brighter today?
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