Sally the Squirrel Learns to Save - A Children's Story

Sally the Squirrel Learns to Save

By Bill Conley—America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:

Money is earned through responsibility, hard work, and doing what is asked of you, whether in the home, at school, or later in life at a job. When children begin earning money by helping with chores or completing small tasks, they learn early that effort brings reward.  Spending money quickly may bring momentary fun, but saving money brings lasting peace, security, and the ability to purchase things of greater value later.
Parents who teach their children how to save are giving them tools that will last a lifetime and protect them from foolish decisions.  Saving does not mean never spending—it means learning how to balance wants and needs, planning ahead, and making wise choices.  A child who learns to set aside coins today will one day be able to handle larger responsibilities tomorrow.  Money has value only when we respect it, and respect comes from understanding how hard it is to earn and how important it is to save. The lesson of saving is simple: when you protect your money today, you prepare yourself for tomorrow.

In the tall oak forest of Meadow Glen lived a clever little squirrel named Sally. She was fast, cheerful, and loved to chatter with anyone who would listen. Sally adored shiny acorns, polished stones, and colorful trinkets she found at the woodland market. But there was one problem—every time she had even a few coins, she spent them right away.

One day, Sally’s mother gave her five coins for helping gather firewood. Excited, Sally ran to the market and bought a ribbon for her tail. She skipped home proudly, but when she saw a beautiful basket on display the very next day, she groaned. “Oh no! If only I had saved my coins, I could have bought that basket!”

Her father shook his head kindly. “Sally, this is why saving matters. If you spend everything at once, you’ll never have enough for the things you truly want or need.”

“But it’s so hard!” Sally whined. “How can I save when there are so many fun things to buy?”

Her parents smiled at each other. It was time for Sally to learn.

The next morning, Sally’s father handed her a small jar. “This will be your savings jar. Every time you earn coins, you will put some into the jar before you spend the rest. That way, your savings will grow.”

At first, Sally didn’t like the idea. She wanted to spend everything immediately. But when her mother promised she could still use part of her coins for little treats, Sally agreed.

That week, Sally worked hard. She gathered berries, swept the burrow, and carried water from the stream. For each job, her parents gave her coins. With every handful, Sally placed three coins in her savings jar and kept two for small things she wanted. Slowly, the jar began to fill.

At first, she was tempted to open it and spend everything. But she remembered her father’s words: “Protect your money today, and you will thank yourself tomorrow.”

Weeks passed. One bright morning, Sally’s saving jar was heavy. Her parents smiled proudly. “Sally, it’s time to see what your savings can do.”

At the market, Sally’s eyes lit up. There was the basket she had wanted for so long! She held out her jar of coins, and the shopkeeper smiled. “Well done, little squirrel. You have saved enough.”

Sally hugged the basket close, her heart swelling with joy. This was different from buying ribbons or sweets. This was something valuable, useful, and lasting. For the first time, she felt the pride of saving.

From that day forward, Sally never spent all her money at once. She still enjoyed small treats, but she also saved faithfully, knowing that greater things could be hers if she waited.

And every time she tucked a coin into her jar, she whispered proudly, “Saving today makes tomorrow brighter.”

Moral of the Story Poem:

A coin in the jar, a coin set aside,
Brings joy to your heart and fills you with pride.
Spend just a little, but save even more.
For treasures that are worth working for will wait.
Money can vanish as quick as the breeze.
But saving brings strength and puts calm hearts at ease.
A wise little saver will always prepare.
Tomorrow’s rewards are found waiting there.

Discussion Questions

1.     Why did Sally regret spending all her coins at once?

2.     How did the saving jar help her learn self-control?

3.     What can you do today to start saving for something you really want?