By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
Good habits begin with small steps
taken on time. Learning to plan helps life flow more smoothly every day. Being
early gives you time to think, breathe, and do your best. Time is a gift; use
it wisely, and it will reward you. Every minute matters, and every plan has its
purpose. Doing things when they should be done brings peace instead of panic. Those
who manage time well grow up to manage life, too. Success begins with
learning that being prepared is a choice.
Deep in the heart of Maplewood
Meadow, where the grass shone with morning dew and the sun peeked over the
hilltops, lived Tilly the Turtle.
Tilly was cheerful, curious, and
loved to explore. But there was one little problem: Tilly was always late.
When the forest friends met for
breakfast berries at eight, Tilly showed up when the plates were empty. When
school started under Oliver the Owl’s tree at nine, Tilly would rush in
at nine-thirty, her shell rattling with her backpack bouncing behind her.
“Tilly,” said Oliver one morning,
adjusting his glasses, “you must learn to manage your time. The early bird not
only gets the worm, it gets the best start to the day!”
Tilly sighed. “But time goes so
fast, Mr. Owl! I just can’t keep up.”
Oliver smiled kindly. “Time doesn’t
move faster for anyone; it only feels fast when we aren’t ready for it.”
Tilly thought about that on her slow
walk home. When she arrived, her mother, Mrs. Turtle, was waiting with a
warm smile and a big idea.
“Tilly,” she said, “I have something
special for you!”
From her apron pocket, she pulled
out a tiny pocket watch with a sunflower etched on the front. “This is
to help you learn about time. We’ll practice together.”
Tilly’s eyes lit up. “Really? How do
we practice time?”
“Just like anything else,” said her
mother. “We start small.”
So, that evening, Mrs. Turtle set up
a gentle routine.
“Dinner is at 6:00,” she said. “That means in 10 minutes, it’s time to wash
your hands.”
Tilly looked at her new watch and
nodded. “Okay, ten minutes. I can do that!”
And she did.
After dinner, Mrs. Turtle said, “At
7:00, it’s time to read books, and at 7:30, it’s lights out.”
Tilly loved their new bedtime plan.
She got to choose her story, finish it before the clock’s big hand reached six,
and still have time for a lullaby. For the first time ever, bedtime felt easy
and calm.
The next morning, Mrs. Turtle tried
it again.
“Breakfast is at 7:00, and the forest school starts at 8:00. That gives you one
full hour to eat, brush, and pack your bag.”
Tilly checked her little watch. She
brushed her teeth, packed her lunch, and even had time to help her brother, Timmy
Turtle, zip his backpack.
When she arrived under Oliver the
Owl’s tree, he blinked in surprise. “Why, Tilly! You’re early today!”
Tilly giggled. “I know! I used my
sunflower watch to keep track of my time!”
Oliver nodded proudly. “A wise
turtle, indeed. You’re learning to be friends with time!”
That day, Tilly found out that when
she wasn’t rushing, she enjoyed her day even more. She noticed the butterflies
on her way to school, waved to Benny the Bunny, and even helped Lucy the
Ladybug cross the path.
The more she practiced, the better
she got.
Soon, Tilly started setting her own
little “time goals.”
⏰ “In 10 minutes, I’ll start my
reading.”
⏰ “After 15 minutes, I’ll take a snack break.”
⏰ “By 6:30, I’ll be ready for dinner.”
Her mom was so proud. “You see,
sweetheart,” she said, “time isn’t meant to make us hurry; it’s meant to help
us stay steady.”
One afternoon, while Tilly and her
friends were playing in the meadow, Oliver announced, “Tomorrow, we’ll have a
big Forest Field Day! The games start at 9:00 sharp!”
Tilly’s friends cheered, but she
remembered her old habits. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t late this time.
So that night, she set her watch carefully by her bedside.
When morning came, she woke up
early, brushed her shell until it shone, packed her snacks, and left with
plenty of time to spare.
When she arrived, Oliver smiled.
“The very first one here, Tilly the Turtle!”
Her friends clapped and cheered.
Tilly’s cheeks blushed.
And that day, she not only played
every game but also helped keep everyone on track. When Benny the Bunny almost
forgot the sack race, Tilly reminded him. When Rosie the Raccoon lost track of
time, Tilly helped her find it again.
That night, as the stars sparkled
above the meadow, Tilly whispered to her mom, “You were right. Time is my
friend.”
Mrs. Turtle smiled and kissed her
head. “It sure is, my dear. And you’ve learned to use it wisely.”
From that day on, Tilly was never
late again. She still took her time, because turtles always do, but now she
used her time well. And she discovered something important: the more she
respected time, the more time seemed to give back to her.
Poem:
Tilly’s Time to Shine
Tick-tock, tick-tock, the hands go
round,
A gentle rhythm, a steady sound.
If I start early, I’ll end with glee.
No rush, no worry, just calm as can be.
Time’s a gift, a helping hand,
To guide me gently through the land.
Each minute counts when used with care.
And brings more joy when I’m aware.
Questions
for Reflection:
1.
How did Tilly feel when she learned
to use her sunflower watch?
2.
Why is it important to start things
on time?
3.
What are some things you can
do each day to manage your time better?
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