Sammy the Squirrel Learns There’s No I in Team - A Children's Story

  

Sammy the Squirrel Learns There’s No I in Team

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:
Working together means sharing our strengths and helping one another shine. When everyone gives their best, we create something far greater than we could alone. Teamwork is not about one player standing out; it’s about everyone standing together. Encouragement turns effort into excellence, and kindness makes every team stronger. Winning feels wonderful, but it feels even better when it’s shared. There is no I in team because teamwork turns “me” into “we.” When we lift others up, we all rise higher together. True victory is found in unity, trust, and friendship.

It was a bright morning in Maple Meadow, and all the forest animals were buzzing with excitement. It was the day of the Great Meadow Soccer Match, and Sammy the Squirrel was sure he was going to be the star.

“I’ve been practicing all week!” Sammy chattered proudly as he kicked an acorn across the field. “I can run faster and kick farther than anyone!”

His best friends, Benny the Beaver, Rosie the Rabbit, Daisy the Duck, and Freddy the Fox, smiled politely. They were happy Sammy was excited, but they hoped he remembered that soccer wasn’t just about one player; it was about teamwork.

When the whistle blew, the game began. Sammy’s team, the Maple Marvels, faced off against the Pinecone Pouncers. The animals lined up, and the crowd of birds cheered from the trees.

As soon as the ball rolled his way, Sammy darted forward, tail flicking with excitement. He zipped past Rosie, dodged Benny, and kicked the ball as hard as he could. “Goal!” he shouted before it even reached the net.

But the ball missed completely and rolled into the bushes. Everyone sighed.

“Nice try, Sammy,” said Daisy kindly. “Next time, maybe pass to one of us.”

“Pass?” Sammy asked. “But I’m the fastest! I can score for sure next time.”

The game continued, and Sammy kept trying to do everything himself. He raced across the field, grabbed every pass, and never looked up to see where his teammates were. But without teamwork, his kicks went wide, and the other team quickly took the lead.

At halftime, Sammy sat under a tree, frustrated. “Why can’t I score?” he muttered. “I’m trying so hard.”

Benny the Beaver put a paw on his shoulder. “You’re a great player, Sammy, but you don’t have to do it alone.”

Rosie nodded. “When we work together, we can make something amazing happen. You just have to trust us.”

Sammy thought about that. He had been so focused on being the best that he had forgotten what made a team special: everyone playing together.

When the whistle blew again, Sammy stood tall and took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s do this together!”

This time, things were different. When Benny blocked the ball, he passed it to Rosie, who darted down the field with her quick little hops. Rosie looked for Daisy and kicked it her way. Daisy gently tapped it toward Sammy.

He hesitated—then smiled. “Now we’re a team!” He kicked the ball right back to Daisy, who gave it a powerful push straight toward the goal.

The ball soared through the air and landed in the net. The crowd went wild!

“We did it!” shouted Daisy.
“Together!” said Sammy proudly.

The rest of the game was full of teamwork. When one player fell, another helped them up. When one missed, the others cheered them on. Every goal, every save, and every pass was made together—with laughter, joy, and encouragement.

In the final moments, the score was tied two-to-two. The ball rolled toward Sammy again. He could have taken the shot himself, but he saw Benny open by the goal.

“Benny! It’s yours!” he shouted.

Benny took the shot and scored the winning goal!

The Maple Marvels had won the game! All the animals jumped, cheered, and hugged. The Pinecone Pouncers joined in, too, congratulating their friends.

As the sun began to set over Maple Meadow, Sammy looked at his teammates and smiled. “I guess you were right,” he said. “There really is no I in team.”

Rosie laughed. “That’s right, Sammy. We win together, we lose together, and we always try our best together.”

Sammy nodded proudly. “And that’s what makes it fun.”

That night, as the stars twinkled over the quiet meadow, the animals celebrated with cocoa and cookies. They talked about the game, their teamwork, and how they had lifted each other up.

Sammy realized something wonderful: he didn’t need to be the star of the team to shine. When everyone worked together, the whole team sparkled.

And from that day on, whenever someone said, “There’s no I in team,” Sammy smiled and said, “But there sure is we.”

Poem:
Together we run, together we play,
We lift each other up every day.
No one wins when they stand alone.
Teamwork builds a heart of stone.
Each player’s gift makes victory sweet.
When kindness guides our passing feet.
So cheer your friends and play with pride,
For strength is found when side by side.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Why did Sammy have trouble helping his team at the beginning of the story?

2.     What changed when Sammy started working with his friends instead of trying to do everything alone?

3.     What are some ways you can be a good teammate at home, at school, or on the playground?