Timmy the Tiger Cub Wants More Time
By Bill Conley – America’s Favorite
Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
A child’s deepest need is not a
bigger home, newer clothes, or fancier toys; it is the steady presence of their
parents who give them love and time every single day. When parents fill their
schedules with work, travel, hobbies, or vacations that do not include their
children, they unknowingly send the message that those things matter more than
their sons and daughters. Grandparents may be loving and generous, but they can never replace the
security, confidence, and sense of belonging that only a mother or father can
provide. Every child, whether they say it aloud or not, longs to whisper,
“Please don’t leave me so often; I need you right here with me.” Time is the greatest treasure a parent can give their child, and it cannot be
replaced or postponed to “someday” without creating a painful emptiness. Absence
teaches a child that they are not important, while presence teaches them they
are loved beyond measure. The greatest role of any parent is not professional
success or personal enjoyment, but showing up consistently for their children
with patience, attention, and care. When a parent chooses to be present, they
give their child the priceless gift of love, trust, and the assurance that they
truly come first.
In the wide, green jungle of
Greenleaf Valley, where sunlight spilled through tall trees, birds sang
their morning songs, lived a little tiger cub named Timmy. His orange coat
shimmered in the golden light, and his paws left soft prints on the mossy
ground as he played. From the outside, Timmy looked happy; he had plenty of
food, a safe home, and a grandmother who adored him. But deep inside, his heart
carried an ache he couldn’t quite put into words.
Timmy’s parents, Mother Tigress and
Father Tiger, were strong, hardworking, and respected by all the jungle
animals. They often left before the sun rose and returned after dark. Sometimes
they traveled for many days, leaving Timmy in the care of Grandma Tigress.
Timmy loved Grandma. She told magical stories of her own childhood, brewed warm
honeyfruit tea, and tucked him in every night with a gentle paw. She even
played games with him when the moonlight made the jungle glow. But despite her
kindness, Timmy’s chest still felt heavy, because what he wanted most was his
parents.
Every night, as Grandma hummed him
to sleep, Timmy imagined how different it would feel if his mother’s soothing
voice were beside him or if his father’s strong paw wrapped him close. Every
morning, when he woke to Grandma’s smile, he wished instead to find his parents
waiting to play with him, laugh with him, and listen to his stories.
The ache grew bigger whenever his
parents hurried off with quick promises:
“We’ll be back soon, Timmy.”
“Be good for Grandma.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll play when we return.”
But “soon” never felt soon enough.
One day, after his parents left
again, Timmy walked alone to his favorite spot by the river. The water
shimmered like silver glass, and his reflection stared back at him. His small
voice whispered into the wind, “Why am I always left behind? Don’t they know I
need them?” His reflection didn’t answer, but the ache in his chest told him
the truth; he had to speak up.
That night, when his parents finally
returned from another long journey, Timmy gathered all his courage. He waited
until Grandma had gone to her room, then walked softly toward his parents, who
were unpacking baskets of food. His whiskers trembled, and his paws shook, but
he lifted his head bravely.
“Mom? Dad? Can I tell you
something?”
His mother stopped arranging the
fruit. His father lowered the basket. They both looked down, suddenly noticing
the seriousness in Timmy’s eyes. “Of course, little one,” his mother said
gently. “What’s on your heart?”
Timmy’s voice cracked, but he
pressed on. “Please… please don’t leave me so often. I love Grandma, but I need
you. I need your hugs, your stories, your laughter. When you’re gone, my heart
feels empty. I don’t want you to leave me behind anymore. Please, just be with
me more.”
Silence filled the den. His parents
stared at him, their eyes widening as tears welled up. His mother dropped to
her knees and wrapped him tightly in her paws, her voice breaking. “Timmy, I
didn’t realize how much you were hurting. We thought you were fine with
Grandma, but we see now we were wrong.”
His father’s deep voice rumbled
softly. “We wanted to provide, to make sure you had everything. But we forgot
the most important thing: you need us, not just what we bring. Forgive us, son.
We will change.”
That night, under a sky painted with
stars, Timmy, his mother, and his father curled together in the grass. They
shared stories, laughed until their sides ached, and sang the lullabies Grandma
used to sing. For the first time in a long while, Timmy felt completely at
peace.
From then on, things were different.
His parents made promises they kept. They still worked, but they no longer
disappeared for long stretches. They brought Timmy with them on short trips,
included him in adventures, and spent evenings simply being together. The
jungle animals noticed, too; Father Tiger no longer looked so rushed, and Mother
Tigress seemed softer, happier, and more present.
And Timmy? He never had to wonder
again if his parents loved him. He knew. Because now, they showed him every day
with their time.
Moral
of the story poem:
A child’s true treasure is parents
near,
Not fleeting words that fade with fear.
Work and travel can wait in line.
But love is measured in presence and time.
No gift compares, no riches suffice,
For hugs and laughter are life’s true prize.
Choose them first, let selfishness fall,
For your child deserves your heart, your all.
Discussion
Questions
1.
Why did Timmy feel sad even though
Grandma cared for him so well?
2.
What lesson did Timmy’s parents learn
after he spoke up about his feelings?
3.
How can parents today make sure
their children feel loved and prioritized?
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