By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Confidence grows from kind words
spoken with love. Little compliments plant big seeds inside the heart. When we
encourage others, we help them believe in themselves. Praises remind us that
effort matters more than perfection. A gentle “good job” can lift someone
higher than you know. Self-love begins when we see ourselves through loving
eyes. Every small word of kindness builds strength from within. The more you
praise with truth, the brighter hearts will shine.
In the cozy meadow of Clover Glen
lived a cheerful little puppy named Penny. Penny had soft golden fur, floppy
ears, and a tail that wagged like a feather in the breeze. She loved her
family, especially her mom and dad. But deep down, Penny often felt unsure of
herself.
She’d look at her older brother,
Max, who could catch the biggest sticks, and sigh.
“I’m not as good as him,” she’d whisper.
When her friend Daisy the Duck learned to swim across the pond, Penny said,
“I’ll just sink.”
And when her dad tried to teach her to dig a perfect hole, she gave up after
two tries.
“I can’t do anything right,” she mumbled sadly.
Her parents noticed. Penny wasn’t as
playful as she used to be. She hesitated to join games, hung her head often,
and her little tail wagged less and less.
One night, Penny’s mom said quietly,
“She’s losing her confidence.”
Her dad nodded. “We need to help her believe in herself again.”
The next morning, her parents
started something new.
When Penny stretched after her nap,
her mom smiled and said, “Good stretch, sweetheart! You look strong and
healthy.”
When Penny fetched a small stick, her dad wagged his tail and said, “You’re
getting faster every day!”
When Penny helped her mom carry her blanket to the den, she heard, “You’re so
helpful, Penny. I’m proud of you.”
At first, Penny didn’t think much of
it.
But every time her parents said something kind, something inside her began to
warm, like a candle flickering in her heart.
Later that week, she tried to jump
over a log.
She missed.
But her dad clapped his paws together. “Great try, Penny! You almost made it!”
She wagged her tail and tried again, and this time, she cleared it!
Her mom ran over and nuzzled her.
“See what happens when you keep trying? You’re amazing!”
Penny beamed. “I did it!”
From that moment, everything
changed.
When she woke up, her mom would say,
“Good morning, my beautiful girl! Today’s another chance to shine.”
When she played fetch, her dad would cheer, “Look at that form! You’re
incredible!”
And even when she made mistakes, spilling her water bowl or tripping over her
paws, they never scolded.
Her mom would simply say, “Oops! That’s okay, sweetheart. Everyone makes
mistakes.”
Each word of kindness added a tiny
brick to Penny’s confidence. Soon, she began to believe the things her
parents said.
When Max challenged her to a race,
Penny didn’t back down. “You’re on!” she said with a grin.
When Daisy invited her to swim, Penny dipped one paw, then another, and finally
paddled across the pond!
Her friends cheered, and her tail wagged so fast it made ripples in the water.
At bedtime, Penny snuggled close to
her mom and whispered, “I like me now.”
Her mom smiled softly. “That’s because you finally see what we’ve always seen, a
wonderful, kind, and capable little puppy.”
And from that day forward, Penny
made sure to pass the kindness along.
When her little cousin Leo the Lamb
tried to climb a hill and slipped, Penny said, “Good job! You almost made it; try
again!”
When Daisy the Duck made a wobbly drawing in the mud, Penny said, “That looks fantastic!
I love the swirls!”
She realized that giving compliments felt just as good as receiving them.
One sunny afternoon, her dad asked,
“Penny, what made you start trying new things again?”
She smiled. “Because you told me I could. And now I know I can.”
Her mom nuzzled her gently. “That’s
the power of words, my darling. They can build someone up or break them down.
So always use yours to lift others higher.”
And that’s exactly what Penny did. From that day on, in Clover Glen, everyone’s confidence began to bloom, all because
one puppy learned the power of kind words.
Poem:
A tiny word can spark a flame.
A little praise can change your name.
From shy to strong, from doubt to cheer,
Kind words can chase away your fear.
Say “good job.” “I’m proud,” “you’re great.”
Watch confidence illuminate.
Love grows where kindness has been sown.
And courage blossoms, bright and full-grown.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
How did Penny’s parents help her
feel more confident?
2.
Why do small compliments and kind
words make such a big difference?
3.
What are some kind things you could
say to help someone feel proud of themselves today?
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