Penny the Penguin Learns to Give
By Bill Conley—America’s Favorite
Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Money has value not only when it is
saved for ourselves, but also when it is shared wisely to help others and bring joy. Children who learn to give early in life discover that money can be used for
kindness and generosity, not just for buying things.
A selfish heart may cling to coins, but a generous heart uses them to lift
others up and make the world a better place. Wise giving does not mean spending recklessly but choosing carefully when to
share and when to keep. True wealth is not measured by how much you have, but by how much good you do
with what you are given. Money, when handled with care, can meet needs, spread kindness, and show love
to family, friends, and even strangers. When children learn that money is a tool, not a treasure, they discover the joy
of helping others. The lesson of giving is this: money is not just for you, it’s a gift to be used
with love, wisdom, and care.
In the chilly land of Frosty Bay,
where the ice sparkled like diamonds and the sea shimmered in shades of blue,
lived a cheerful penguin named Penny. Penny loved shiny coins almost as much as
she loved sliding down snowy hills. Whenever she earned coins by helping her
parents carry fish or tidying the nest, she carefully placed them into her
little seashell purse.
One day, Penny waddled into the town
market with her purse jingling. She had saved enough coins to buy a warm scarf
she had been dreaming about. Just as she reached the shop, she noticed a
younger penguin shivering in the cold, his feathers ruffled and his wings
tucked tightly around him. He had no scarf, no coins, and no family nearby.
Penny paused. She clutched her purse
and thought of her own needs. She wanted that scarf badly. But she also thought
of the little penguin, alone in the cold. Her heart tugged at her.
That evening, Penny talked with her
mother. “Mama, I want the scarf, but I also want to help. What should I do?”
Her mother smiled gently. “Penny,
money is a tool. It can be used for yourself, or it can be used to bless
others. The question is, which will bring you more joy?”
The next morning, Penny made her
choice. She waddled back to the market, but instead of buying her scarf, she
bought a simple one for the little penguin. His eyes lit up as she wrapped it
around him. “For me?” he whispered.
“For you,” Penny said with a smile.
“Because sometimes sharing is better than keeping.”
The little penguin beamed, warmer
not just in body but in heart. And Penny felt something she had never felt
before—joy deeper than the thrill of sliding or the excitement of buying. She
realized that coins were not just for herself—they were also for kindness.
Weeks later, Penny earned enough to
buy her own scarf. But this time, she also set aside a small jar labeled Giving
Coins. Every time she earned, she saved some, spent some, and gave some.
And in doing so, Penny discovered the secret to money: not just earning, not
just saving, but using it wisely to love others.
Moral
of the Story Poem:
Money can buy, but it can also be shared.
To show someone else you truly care.
A selfish heart keeps, but a kind heart will give.
And that’s the best way to learn how to live.
Save some for later, spend some with care,
But always remember your coins can be repaired.
True joy is not found in treasures you store,
But in helping others, you’ll feel it much more.
Discussion
Questions
1.
Why did Penny decide to give the
scarf to the little penguin instead of keeping all her money for herself?
2.
How can saving, spending, and giving
all work together to use money wisely?
3.
What is one way you could share or
give to help someone else this week?
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