Penny the Porcupine Turns Her Homework In on Time - A Children's Story

Penny the Porcupine Turns Her Homework In on Time

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral to the Story:
Being responsible means doing what’s expected of you and doing it on time.
Turning in your homework shows that you care about learning and respect your teacher. When you finish your work on time, you feel proud, prepared, and confident. Doing your own homework helps you learn and grow in ways no one else can. Asking for help is okay, but effort and honesty always matter most.
Responsibility today builds trust for tomorrow. When you keep your promises and meet your deadlines, people know they can count on you. Success begins when you learn to do what’s right, even when no one is watching.

In the quiet little town of Pinewood Hollow lived Penny the Porcupine, a bright-eyed, curious student at Acorn Elementary. Penny loved her classmates, her teachers, and her favorite subject, reading. But there was one problem… Penny wasn’t always great at finishing her homework on time.

Every afternoon, she told herself, “I’ll do it later.”
But then she’d get distracted, helping her mom gather berries, talking with friends, or practicing cartwheels on the grassy hill behind her house.

When bedtime came, she’d groan. “Oh no! I forgot my math again!”

The next morning, she’d rush into class out of breath, her papers crumpled and her name half-written. “Sorry, Mrs. Owl,” she’d mumble. “I just didn’t have time.”

Mrs. Owl, who was kind but wise, would nod gently. “Penny, it’s important to finish what you start. When you turn in your work late, you miss the chance to learn from it.”

Penny nodded, but she didn’t quite understand. It’s just one day late, she thought. No big deal.

One Friday afternoon, Mrs. Owl made an announcement. “Class, next week we’ll have a special homework challenge! Everyone who turns in their assignments on time every day will get to join a picnic at Clover Creek!”

The classroom buzzed with excitement. Everyone loved Clover Creek; it had big shady trees, a sparkling stream, and the softest grass in the forest.

Penny’s best friends, Benny the Beaver and Rosie the Raccoon, clapped their paws. “We’re going to the picnic for sure!” Benny said proudly.

Penny grinned nervously. I want to go too… I just have to stay focused.

That weekend, she promised herself she’d do her work right away. She sharpened her pencils, opened her notebook, and started her math homework. The first few problems were tricky. She frowned. “Maybe I’ll ask Mom later,” she said. “Just one short break first.”

But that short break turned into playing outside, then dinner, then bedtime. When she finally remembered, her eyelids were heavy. “I’ll finish it tomorrow,” she whispered.

The next morning, Penny panicked. “I forgot again!”

She tried scribbling her answers before class, but Mrs. Owl collected the papers before she was done. “Penny,” she said softly, “rushing through work isn’t the same as doing your best.”

That afternoon, Penny sat alone on the playground swing. “Why is it so hard for me to finish my homework?” she sighed.

Just then, Mrs. Owl walked by. “Sometimes, Penny,” she said kindly, “the hardest part of responsibility is simply beginning. When you start early, you end calmly. But when you wait, your work becomes your worry.”

Penny thought about that. “So… if I do my homework right after school, I won’t have to rush?”
“Exactly,” said Mrs. Owl. “And when you turn it in on time, you show everyone, including yourself, that you can be trusted.”

That evening, Penny went straight home, set her backpack on the table, and took a deep breath. “I’m doing my homework right now.”

At first, it felt strange. She wanted to play outside. But as she worked, something amazing happened; she started to enjoy it. When she got stuck, she thought carefully, erased, and tried again. By the time her mom called for dinner, Penny was finished!

She smiled proudly and slid her paper into her backpack. “Done and ready to go!”

The next morning, she handed it to Mrs. Owl before class even started. “Here’s my homework!” she said with a grin.
Mrs. Owl smiled. “Well done, Penny! You must feel proud.”
“I do,” Penny said honestly.

Day after day, she kept her promise. She did her homework right after school, asked questions when she needed help, and double-checked her work before bed.

Finally, Friday arrived. Mrs. Owl stood at the front of the classroom with a big smile. “Students who turned in every assignment on time this week, please come forward.”

One by one, names were called: Benny the Beaver, Rosie the Raccoon… and then, “Penny the Porcupine!”

Penny gasped. “Me?”

Mrs. Owl nodded proudly. “Yes, Penny. You showed responsibility, perseverance, and pride in your work. You earned this.”

The whole class clapped as Penny beamed from ear to ear. She had done it—all on her own.

That afternoon, at the Clover Creek picnic, Penny laughed and played with her friends under the warm sun. She felt light as a feather, no worries, no rushing, just joy.

When Benny asked, “What changed, Penny?” she smiled and said, “I learned that when you finish your homework on time, you get more than good grades; you get peace of mind.”

From that day on, Penny was known as The Prepared Porcupine, always on time, always ready, and always proud of doing her best.

Poem:
Do your best work; don’t delay,
Start your homework right away.
When you finish, you will find,
You’ve built a smart and peaceful mind.
Responsibility feels so right.
When you rest with ease at night.
The work you do with care and pride,
Brings joy and trust that stays inside.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Why was Penny always late turning in her homework at the beginning of the story?

2.     What changed when she decided to do her work right after school?

3.     How does finishing your work on time show responsibility and respect?