Sammy the Squirrel Learns About Stranger Danger
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Being friendly is wonderful, but
being safe is wiser. Not everyone you meet has kind intentions, and that’s why
we must stay alert. Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know, no matter
what they promise. If you ever feel uncomfortable, trust your feelings and go
find a grown-up you know. Safety isn’t fear; it’s smart thinking that keeps you
strong. Your parents, teachers, and friends are your safety circle; stay close
to them. A brave child knows when to say “No!” and when to walk or run away. Being
careful keeps you safe so you can keep having fun!
In the tall oaks of Maple Hollow
lived a cheerful little squirrel named Sammy.
Sammy loved climbing trees, collecting acorns, and playing tag with his forest
friends.
Every day, after helping his mom
gather twigs for their nest, he’d scamper off to play by the berry bushes near
the big open meadow.
One sunny afternoon, as Sammy was
chasing a butterfly, he heard a voice from below.
“Well, hello there, little
squirrel!”
Sammy looked down and saw a fox
standing near the edge of the clearing. The fox had a friendly smile and held
out a shiny red apple.
“I have something for you,” the fox
said. “Would you like a treat?”
Sammy hesitated. “Um… I don’t know
you.”
The fox chuckled softly. “Oh, don’t
worry. Your mom told me to bring this to you.”
Sammy’s tail twitched. He thought
for a moment; his mom never sent others to find him.
Just then, he remembered something
his mom always said:
“If someone you don’t know talks to
you, stay calm, stay smart, and come straight home.”
So Sammy shook his head. “No, thank
you. I’m not supposed to take things from strangers.”
The fox frowned. “Are you sure? I
just want to help.”
But Sammy backed away. “I’m sure! My
mom’s waiting for me.”
He turned and scampered up the
nearest tree, then hopped branch to branch until he reached the family nest.
When he got home, he told his mom
everything.
“Oh, Sammy,” she said, hugging him
tight. “I’m so proud of you for being brave and smart! You did the right
thing.”
She called the forest ranger owl to
let everyone know about the fox that had been near the meadow. Soon, the forest
animals all gathered around while Sammy’s mom talked about what had happened.
“Sometimes,” she explained, “someone
might act friendly or offer treats, toys, or even ask for help, but if you
don’t know them, you should never go with them.”
Sammy’s best friend, Penny the
Puppy, raised her paw. “What if someone says they know your mom or dad?”
“That’s a good question,” said Mama
Squirrel. “If you haven’t been told ahead of time that a grown-up will pick you
up or talk to you, don’t believe it. Go find your parents, a teacher, or
another trusted adult right away.”
“What if they say they lost their
puppy and need help finding it?” asked Ollie the Owl.
Mama Squirrel nodded. “Even then,
don’t go. Adults should ask other adults for help, not kids.”
Sammy puffed his chest proudly.
“That’s what I did! I said, ‘no thank you,’ and came home.”
“That’s exactly what you should do,”
Mama said. “You were polite, but you kept yourself safe. That’s called smart
courage.”
From then on, the animals of Maple
Hollow practiced the “Three Rules of Safety” together:
1.
Stay
Close. When you’re out, always stay where
your parents or friends can see you.
2.
Say no. If someone you don’t know talks to you or offers something,
say, “No, thank you,” and walk or run away.
3.
Tell an
Adult You Trust. Always tell your parents, teacher,
or another safe adult what happened, even if you’re not sure it was bad.
The next week, Sammy’s class took a
trip to the meadow. He saw the same fox again in the distance, but this time he
wasn’t scared. He stayed close to his teacher and friends, remembering
everything his mom had said.
Later that night, when his dad came
home, Sammy told him the story.
Dad hugged him proudly. “That’s my
smart squirrel! You didn’t let fear stop you, but you didn’t let curiosity
trick you either. That’s what makes you brave.”
Sammy smiled. “I think I’ll teach
the little ones about stranger danger too.”
Dad nodded. “Now that’s being
great, son, keeping yourself and others safe.”
And from that day on, Sammy became
the forest’s Safety Squirrel, reminding all his friends:
“If you don’t know them, don’t go
with them.”
He even helped hang bright signs
around the playground that read:
Stay Smart. Stay Safe. Stay Close.
And every little animal who read
them knew they could play, laugh, and explore without fear, because wisdom and
courage went hand in hand.
Poem:
If someone says, “Come here, come play,”
And you don’t know them; walk away.
If candy, toys, or pets appear,
Stay near your folks, and stay right here.
You’re brave and smart; you know what’s true.
Safe choices always start with you.
Tell those you trust, both night and day,
And danger will keep far away.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
Why was Sammy right to say “no” to
the fox?
2.
What are the three safety rules
Sammy and his friends learned?
3.
What should you do if a stranger
offers you something or asks you for help?
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