Sammy the Squirrel Saves for a Rainy Day
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Saving is a way of preparing for the
future with wisdom and care. When we plan ahead, we protect ourselves from
unexpected troubles. Every small act of reparation adds up to something meaningful. It is better to have a little saved than to
have nothing at all. Those who save are not selfish; they are thoughtful and
wise. Planning for tomorrow helps us live with peace today. Good stewardship
shows gratitude for what we have been given. When we save with purpose, we
build a life rooted in trust and responsibility.
In the shade of the tall oak trees
in Maple Grove lived a cheerful squirrel named Sammy. His fur was golden brown,
his tail fluffy and proud, and his heart as bright as the morning sun. Sammy
loved to play tag among the branches, chase butterflies, and tell funny stories
to his forest friends.
But there was one thing Sammy did
not like to do: store acorns.
While the other squirrels spent
their days gathering nuts for the winter, Sammy would laugh and say, “Why
worry? There are plenty of acorns everywhere.” Then he would roll onto his
back, staring at the clouds and dreaming the day away.
His best friend, Millie the Mouse,
often scurried by carrying seeds in her tiny paws. “Sammy, you really should
start saving,” she squeaked. “When winter comes, the trees will be bare, and
you might be hungry.”
Sammy waved his paw. “Oh, Millie,
winter is far away. Besides, I am fast. I can always find food later.”
Millie frowned. “Maybe, but
sometimes later comes sooner than you think.”
Sammy just chuckled and went back to
playing.
As the weeks passed, the trees
turned from green to gold. The air grew cooler, and the wind began to whisper
of change. The other squirrels worked harder than ever, scurrying up and down
the trees, filling their burrows with acorns and berries. Sammy watched them
and sighed. “They look so serious,” he said. “I think I will take one more nap
before I start.”
But one nap turned into two, and two
turned into many. Soon the first snowflake drifted from the sky.
When Sammy woke up the next morning,
the ground was covered in a white blanket of snow. “Oh no!” he cried. “Where
did all the acorns go?” He searched and searched, digging through the snow, but
the ground was frozen hard and the trees were empty.
Hungry and cold, Sammy trudged
through the forest looking for help. He came to Millie’s burrow and knocked
softly. “Millie, are you there?”
Millie opened the door and gasped.
“Sammy, you look freezing! Come inside quickly.”
Inside, her cozy little home was
warm and filled with food. She poured Sammy a bowl of acorn soup and handed him
a blanket.
Sammy took a sip and sighed.
“Millie, I should have listened to you. I thought there would always be
enough.”
Millie smiled kindly. “You are
learning, my friend. It is never too late to start saving. You can help me
organize my seeds while you warm up.”
Sammy nodded gratefully. As he
sorted seeds and nuts into tiny piles, he realized how peaceful it felt to be
prepared.
The next morning, the snow fell even
harder. Millie shared her food gladly, but Sammy knew he could not rely on her
forever. “I want to make things right,” he said. “I want to learn how to plan
and save.”
Millie’s whiskers twitched. “Then
start now. Even in winter, there is always something you can do.”
So Sammy helped wherever he could.
He cleared paths through the snow, found small bits of bark for Millie’s fire,
and saved any extra crumbs from their meals. Every little bit mattered.
As the days turned into weeks, Sammy
began to change. He felt proud of helping and grateful for what he had. He
discovered that saving was not just about food—it was about being ready for
whatever life brought.
When spring finally arrived, the
snow melted and new buds appeared on the trees. The forest buzzed with
excitement. Sammy rushed outside, eager to begin gathering.
This time, he worked from sunrise to
sunset, storing nuts in clever hiding spots and marking them carefully with
twigs. He even helped younger squirrels find safe places to keep their food.
Millie smiled as she watched him.
“You have learned well, Sammy. You are one of the best savers in the forest
now.”
Sammy laughed. “I finally understand
that saving is not boring—it is smart. When we take care of today, tomorrow
takes care of us.”
Later that summer, a big storm
rolled through Maple Grove. The wind howled, branches cracked, and rain poured
down for hours. When it was over, many of the animals’ food supplies were
washed away.
Millie ran to check on Sammy. “Are
you all right?” she asked.
Sammy smiled proudly. “I am fine. I
put extra acorns in a hollow log high above the ground. They are all safe.”
Millie grinned. “You see, your
planning paid off.”
Sammy nodded. “Yes, and I have more
than enough to share. Let’s help the others.”
Together, they gathered what Sammy
had saved and distributed it to the hungry animals. The forest came together in
gratitude. Everyone thanked Sammy for his generosity.
That evening, as the sun set over
the peaceful grove, Millie said softly, “Sammy, you did not just save
acorns—you saved hearts.”
Sammy smiled. “Maybe that is the
best kind of saving there is.”
From that day forward, Sammy
continued to enjoy life, but he never forgot to plan for the future. He still
played, laughed, and told stories, but he always took time to prepare. And
every winter that came after, his burrow was full, warm, and shared with
friends.
Poem:
Save a little every day.
For storms can come along the way.
A careful plan, a thoughtful start,
Brings peace and joy to your heart.
When you give and still prepare,
You show the world how much you care.
Wisdom grows when we are wise.
To plan ahead before a surprise.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
What lesson did Sammy learn about
saving and planning ahead?
2.
How did Millie help Sammy understand
the importance of being prepared?
3.
Why is it important to think about
the future while still enjoying today?
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