By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
You’ll never know what you’re good
at until you try. Every big achievement starts with one small step. Winning
isn’t about trophies; it’s about growing brave enough to begin. Sometimes your
greatest joy is waiting just beyond the “no.”
You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to participate. When you take that
first swing, jump, or dance, your spark begins to shine. Courage doesn’t come
before trying; it comes from trying. Life rewards those who say “yes” to
new adventures.
In the heart of the green jungle
lived a cheerful, clever, and lovable little monkey named Molly.
Molly was the kind of monkey everyone liked being around. She had a quick
smile, a silly laugh, and a way of making everyone feel like her best friend.
When Molly played in the jungle
clearing, other animals would quickly join in. She was funny, kind, and always
full of good ideas, but there was one thing Molly didn’t like: trying new
things.
Her mom and dad often said, “Molly,
you’d be so good at anything you put your mind to! How about a dance class
with the parrots? Or soccer with the lemurs? Maybe music with the tree frogs?”
But every time they asked, Molly
scrunched up her little nose and shook her head.
“No, no, no,” she’d say. “I don’t think I’d like that.”
Instead, she’d swing on her favorite
vine, play with her friends, and chatter away about everything except
joining something new.
One day, while playing near the big
banyan tree, her best friend, Lila the Leopard Cu,b bounded over, full of
excitement.
“Molly! Guess what? We’re forming a
jungle dance team for the Big Spring Festival! You should join us!”
Molly’s smile faded. “Oh, no thanks.
I’m not really a dancer.”
Lila tilted her head. “Have you ever
tried?”
Molly looked down at her furry toes.
“No… but I just know I wouldn’t be good at it.”
Lila grinned. “You said the same
thing about climbing the big vines, and now you’re the best swinger in the
jungle!”
Molly blushed. “That’s different. I
just… don’t want to look silly.”
Lila winked. “Everyone looks silly
at first! That’s part of the fun!”
Later that evening, Molly sat with
her mom watching the fireflies flicker.
Her mom gently brushed her fur and said, “Sweetheart, sometimes we have to do
things before we feel ready. You’ll never know what you might love if
you never try.”
Molly sighed. “But what if I’m not
good at it?”
Her mom smiled warmly. “You weren’t
good at swinging the first time, remember? You fell right into the mud!”
Molly giggled. “Yeah… I guess that’s
true.”
“See?” said her mom. “Trying isn’t
about being perfect; it’s about being brave enough to begin.”
That night, Molly couldn’t sleep.
She kept thinking about the festival. She imagined her friends laughing,
dancing, and twirling to the drums.
She could almost hear the music echoing through the trees.
Finally, she whispered to herself,
“Maybe I’ll just watch tomorrow… just to see.”
The next day, Molly sat quietly
under a palm tree while Lila and the others practiced. They stumbled, giggled,
and tripped over their own tails, but no one cared. They were having fun.
Lila spotted her and waved. “Molly!
Come join us! We’re just learning the steps!”
Molly hesitated. Her tummy
fluttered. Her feet felt glued to the ground.
Then she heard her mom’s voice in
her head: You’ll never know what you might love if you never try.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up
and whispered, “Okay… I’ll try.”
At first, she was shy. She missed a
few beats. Her tail swished the wrong way. But Lila smiled and said, “That’s
it, Molly! You’re doing it!”
The music grew louder, the drums
beat faster, and soon Molly’s fear began to melt away.
Her laughter returned. She started twirling, leaping, and swinging her tail in
rhythm.
She wasn’t just dancing; she was sparkling.
When the day of the Big Spring
Festival arrived, the clearing was filled with families and friends. Molly
peeked out from behind a tall fern, her heart pounding.
“What if I forget the steps?” she
whispered.
Lila nudged her. “Then we laugh and
keep going! That’s what friends do.”
The music began.
One by one, the dancers moved into
rhythm, and there was Molly, right in the center, her smile shining brighter
than the sun. She didn’t miss a single beat.
When the song ended, the crowd
erupted in cheers.
Molly’s mom and dad jumped up,
clapping and shouting, “That’s our girl!”
Molly beamed. “I did it! I really
did it!”
Lila laughed and said, “Told you!
You just needed to try!”
That night, as the stars blinked
overhead, Molly whispered a promise to herself:
“From now on, I’ll try new things, because that’s how I find what I love.”
And somewhere deep inside, she felt
her spark, glowing bright and strong.
Poem:
You’ll never know what you can do.
Until you take one step or two.
Don’t let the “no” keep you behind.
Your courage waits; go seek, and you’ll find!
Each tries a seed; it starts so small,
But blooms with effort, love, and all.
So give your dreams a little chase,
And let your spark light up the place.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
Why do you think Molly didn’t want
to try new things at first?
2.
What helped her find the courage to
join the dance team?
3.
What’s something you’ve been
afraid to try, and what could be your first small step?
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