Ollie the Otter Learns Why We Have the Bible - A Children's Story

Ollie the Otter Learns Why We Have the Bible

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:
The Bible is God’s Word, given to guide our hearts and lives. Every verse teaches us truth and wisdom. Scripture helps us see right from wrong and leads us to live rightly. Through the Bible, God speaks to us with love and purpose. It corrects us when we wander and comforts us when we fall. It trains us to be kind, strong, and faithful. The Word of God equips us for every good thing we do. All Scripture is God-breathed, living, and full of life.

Down by the sparkling river where cattails swayed in the breeze, there lived a cheerful young otter named Ollie. He loved to swim, play, and splash with his friends from sunrise to sunset. Ollie was full of laughter, but one thing puzzled him deeply; he often didn’t know what was right or wrong.

Sometimes he took pebbles from his friend Benny’s collection, thinking it was just for fun. Other times, he forgot to help his mother when she called. When she gently reminded him, “Ollie, good choices come from good guidance,” he scratched his head.

“But where do I find that guidance?” he wondered aloud.

One Sunday morning, the animals gathered on the riverbank for Pastor Heron’s lesson. The tall, graceful bird spread his wings and spoke clearly so that all could hear. “Today, children, we’ll learn why God gave us the Bible.”

Ollie’s eyes lit up. “Maybe I’ll finally understand!” he thought.

Pastor Heron opened a small, worn Bible and read aloud, “Second Timothy, chapter three, verses sixteen and seventeen: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’”

Ollie tilted his head. “What does ‘God-breathed’ mean?”

The wise heron smiled. “It means every word in the Bible comes from God Himself. The Bible isn’t just another book. It is the voice of God speaking to our hearts.”

“But how can a book teach me what to do?” Ollie asked.

Pastor Heron stepped closer. “When you read it, the words live inside you. The Bible teaches us truth, helps us see our mistakes, and shows us how to make things right. It trains us to live the way God wants us to.”

Ollie’s heart began to stir. He wanted to know more. That evening, after everyone went home, he borrowed his mother’s small Bible. He carefully opened it to the first page he found and began to read.

At first, it felt confusing, big words and strange stories, but as he kept reading, something inside him began to shine. He read about love, forgiveness, and kindness. He learned that God wanted him to treat others the way he wished to be treated.

The next day, he saw Benny the Beaver searching frantically by the riverbank. “What’s wrong?” Ollie asked.

“My favorite shiny pebble is gone!” Benny said sadly.

Ollie froze. He remembered where that pebble was, in his own pocket. His cheeks flushed. For the first time, his heart ached not because he got caught, but because he knew he had done wrong.

That evening, he sat by the water again and whispered, “God, I read that Your Word teaches, corrects, and trains us. Please help me do what’s right.”

The next morning, Ollie found Benny and held out the pebble. “I’m sorry, Benny. I took it. I read in the Bible that we should be honest and kind. Will you forgive me?”

Benny’s eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a smile. “Of course I forgive you, Ollie.”

From that day on, Ollie began reading a few verses from the Bible each morning before his adventures. The words seemed to light up his thoughts. When he felt impatient, he remembered verses about patience. When he wanted to argue, he remembered verses about peace. And when he saw someone in need, he remembered verses about helping others.

Soon, all the young animals noticed something different about Ollie. He had more joy, more kindness, and more peace than ever before.

One day, his little sister, Molly, asked, “Ollie, why are you so happy all the time?”

He smiled and said, “Because I read God’s Word every day. It helps me understand what is right and wrong. It keeps my heart full of love instead of worry.”

Later that week, Pastor Heron gathered everyone again. He noticed Ollie sitting up front, eyes shining. “Would anyone like to share what they’ve learned about Scripture?” he asked.

Ollie raised his paw. “I used to think the Bible was just stories,” he began. “But now I know it’s God talking to me. When I read it, it teaches me how to live, helps me fix my mistakes, and reminds me that God is always with me.”

Pastor Heron nodded proudly. “Well said, Ollie. You’ve learned the greatest truth: the Bible is alive because God’s Spirit speaks through it.”

From that day forward, Ollie’s Bible became his most treasured possession. Whenever he faced a hard decision or felt confused, he opened it and prayed, “God, please show me what to do.”

And every single time, through the words on the page, peace would wash over him, like sunlight glimmering on the river after a storm.

Poem:

The Bible is our guiding light.
It leads us through the darkest night.
Each word from God, both pure and true,
Shows love in all we say and do.

It teaches hearts to grow and learn.
Corrects our paths at every turn.
For every work, it makes us strong.
God’s Word will guide us throughout our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What did Ollie learn about the purpose of the Bible?

2.     How did reading Scripture help Ollie make better choices?

3.     What can you do each day to let God’s Word guide your heart and actions?