Tara the Turtle Learns About Time
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Time is one of the most valuable
gifts we are given each day. When we learn to use time wisely, life becomes
calmer and more joyful. Being on time shows respect for others and for
ourselves.
Rushing brings stress, but planning ahead brings peace. Little moments add up
to big results when used with care. Patience is not wasting time; it is
trusting that things unfold as they should.
When we spend time helping and loving others, it is never wasted. Those who
learn to manage their time well often find they have more of it to share.
Deep in the sunny meadow near Lily
Pond lived a thoughtful turtle named Tara. She was friendly, gentle, and loved
by all her friends. But Tara had one little problem—she was always late.
Every morning, the forest animals
gathered at the meadow for their daily adventures. The birds chirped early, the
rabbits hopped into line, and the frogs croaked their morning tunes. But no
matter how hard she tried, Tara never seemed to make it on time.
“Come on, Tara!” called Benny the
Bunny one morning. “We are starting our race to the stream!”
“I’m coming!” Tara said, still
brushing sleep from her eyes. She slowly stretched, packed her picnic basket,
and adjusted her sun hat. By the time she reached the stream, the race was long
over, and everyone was resting.
Benny laughed kindly. “You missed
all the fun again.”
Tara sighed. “I know. I tried, but
somehow time always gets away from me.”
The next day, she promised herself it
would be different. She woke up earlier, but then stopped to watch the sunrise.
It was so beautiful that she lost track of time again.
When she arrived for the group
breakfast, Mrs. Duck was already cleaning up. “Oh dear,” Tara said sadly. “I
did it again.”
Mrs. Duck smiled gently. “Tara, time
is like water. If you do not guide it, it slips through your fingers.”
Tara tilted her head. “Guide it? How
do I do that?”
“By planning,” Mrs. Duck replied.
“When you decide ahead of time what needs to be done, time becomes your friend
instead of your enemy.”
Tara thought about that all day. She
loved her friends and wanted to be part of everything, but she was tired of
always arriving late. That night, she sat under the stars and prayed quietly,
asking God to help her use her time better.
The next morning, Tara woke with a
plan. She decided to make a list of what she wanted to do and when. “First,
wake up early. Second, get ready right away. Third, leave before the meeting
starts,” she said aloud, writing each step on a leaf.
She carried the leaf with her all
day.
When the sun rose, she got up
quickly. “No daydreaming this time,” she said firmly. She brushed her shell,
packed her bag, and started walking early. For the first time ever, she arrived
before everyone else.
Benny the Bunny’s eyes widened.
“Tara, you are early! What happened?”
Tara smiled proudly. “I learned to
plan my time.”
All her friends cheered. “Way to go,
Tara!”
Feeling proud, she decided to keep
practicing. But managing time was not always easy. One afternoon, she stopped
to help a line of ducklings cross the path. When she finally reached the
picnic, everyone had already started eating.
“Tara,” said Mrs. Duck, smiling
warmly, “you may have been late, but you used your time for kindness. That is
never wasted.”
Tara realized something important
that day. Time was not just about being fast—it was about choosing what
mattered most.
A few weeks later, the animals
prepared for the Annual Meadow Parade. Everyone had a special job. The birds
were decorating the trees with ribbons. The rabbits were baking pies. The frogs
practiced songs. Tara was in charge of carrying the flag at the front of the
parade.
She promised everyone she would be
on time. She made her list, packed the night before, and set her alarm
clock. But that morning, a soft rain began to fall, and Tara decided to wait a
few minutes for it to stop. Minutes turned into more minutes, and when she
finally looked up, the rain had passed—and so had the parade.
“Oh no,” she cried. “I missed it
again.”
She hurried to the meadow, her heart
heavy. When she arrived, the animals were finishing the parade route. The
little ducklings saw her and shouted, “Tara’s here!” They waved and cheered as
she joined them.
Even though she had missed the
start, everyone was happy to see her. Benny the Bunny ran up and said, “We
saved the last part just for you.”
Tara lifted the flag proudly and
marched through the final stretch, surrounded by her friends. Laughter filled
the air, and joy returned to her heart.
When the parade ended, Mrs. Duck
came over and said, “You did well, Tara. You were late, but you did not give
up. Remember, time is not about perfection—it is about effort and purpose.”
Tara nodded thoughtfully. “I think I
understand now. Managing time helps me do what matters most, but sometimes what
matters most is helping or caring, even if it takes longer.”
Mrs. Duck smiled. “Exactly, my dear.
The goal is not to race against time but to walk wisely with it.”
From that day forward, Tara balanced
her life with care. She made time for her friends, time for helping, and time
for rest. She still moved slowly, but she was rarely late. And when she was,
her friends knew it was because her heart was busy doing something kind.
The meadow animals began to admire Tara,
not just for being on time but for using her time well. She had learned that
every minute is a gift that should be used with love, patience, and purpose.
And sometimes, when the sun set over
the peaceful pond, she whispered, “Thank you, God, for another day and another
chance to use my time wisely.”
Poem:
Time is precious, soft, and sweet,
It guides the rhythm of our feet.
Plan ahead and do your part,
Let patience lead your gentle heart.
Moments grow when used with care,
Love and kindness fill the air.
Each minute shines when purpose is true,
Turns every day into something new.
Questions
for Discussion:
1.
Why was Tara often late in the
beginning of the story?
2.
What did Mrs. Duck teach Tara about
how to use her time?
3.
What are some ways you can plan your
time better each day?
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