By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
When we get mad, we can pause,
breathe, and stay calm. Hitting or hurting never makes things better. Words can
solve problems faster than fists ever will. Respect means treating others as
we wish to be treated. Even when others are unkind, we can choose kindness. Real
strength is not in anger, but in control. Every choice we make builds the
person we become. Be the tiger who walks away, not the one who roars.
In the bright jungle school of Willow
Woods, a young tiger cub named Tommy loved to run, play, and laugh with his
friends. Most days, school was full of fun, until one day, something happened
that Tommy didn’t expect.
During recess, Tommy was playing
soccer with his classmates when Leo the Leopard teased him.
“You missed the goal again!” Leo laughed.
Tommy’s ears flattened. “Stop it, Leo. That’s not funny.”
But Leo kept going. “You’re too slow! Maybe you should play with the little
kids!”
Tommy’s face grew hot. His heart
pounded. Before he could think, he stomped over—and shoved Leo hard.
Leo stumbled backward and shouted, “Hey! What was that for?”
The teacher on duty, Mrs. Owl,
hurried over. “Tommy! We do not use our paws to solve problems. Go see
Principal Bear.”
Tommy’s stomach sank.
In the principal’s office, Principal
Bear spoke kindly but firmly. “Tommy, I heard there was an outburst today. Can
you tell me what happened?”
Tommy looked down. “Leo made fun of me. I asked him to stop, but he didn’t. So
I pushed him.”
Principal Bear nodded. “I see. It hurts when people say mean things, doesn’t
it?”
Tommy nodded. “Yes.”
“But pushing him wasn’t the right choice,” Principal Bear said softly. “Now you
have become the one who hurt someone.”
Tommy’s eyes filled with tears. “I
didn’t mean to. I just got mad.”
Principal Bear smiled gently. “We all get mad sometimes. What matters is what
we do with that anger.”
That afternoon, when Tommy got home,
his parents were waiting.
His mom knelt down and said, “We got a call from your school today.”
Tommy’s tail drooped. “I know. I messed up.”
His dad sat beside him. “You didn’t mess up forever, son; you just made a
mistake. But we need to talk about it.”
Tommy explained what happened, his
voice shaky. “Leo made fun of me, and I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
His mom said softly, “I understand
how that feels. But when someone hurts your feelings, you can’t hit them. That
only makes things worse.”
His dad added, “There’s a difference between being strong and being out of
control. Real strength is when you stay calm and use your words.”
Tommy looked at his paws. “I wish I
could take it back.”
His mom hugged him. “You can’t undo what happened, but you can make it right.”
The next morning, Tommy walked into
school with a heavy heart. He found Leo at his locker. “Hey, Leo?” he said
quietly. “I’m sorry I pushed you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Leo blinked. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have teased you either. Friends?”
Tommy smiled. “Friends.”
Mrs. Owl overheard and smiled.
“That’s how real leaders act,” she said. “They take responsibility and make
peace.”
After that, Tommy worked hard to
manage his feelings.
When kids teased or said something mean, he practiced the Tiger Rule, which his
parents taught him:
Stop. Breathe. Think. Then speak
kindly.
If his heart started racing, he’d
count to five before saying a word.
If he wanted to yell, he’d walk away until he felt calm again.
One day, his classmate Penny the
Parrot got upset during art time and knocked over his paints. The red and blue
splashed everywhere.
Tommy felt that old fire rise inside him, but then he remembered the Tiger
Rule.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “It’s okay, Penny. It was an
accident.”
Penny looked up in surprise. “You’re not mad?”
“Nope,” Tommy said with a grin. “Accidents happen. Let’s clean it up together.”
That afternoon, Mrs. Owl told the
class, “Tommy showed great maturity today. He stayed calm and used kind words.
That’s what true winners do.”
Tommy’s heart swelled with pride. He
realized that being strong didn’t mean being tough; it meant being kind and
controlled, even when it was hard.
From that day on, whenever a friend
got angry or frustrated, Tommy would say,
“Remember the Tiger Rule: Stop. Breathe. Think. Choose kindness.”
And the more he practiced it, the
more peaceful and happy his jungle school became.
Because sometimes, the bravest roar
is the one that stays inside your heart.
Poem:
When tempers rise and words feel
mean,
Take a breath, keep calm, and clean.
Your paws, your words, your heart, your mind,
We are made to love, protect, and be kind.
Fists can hurt, but words can heal.
Kindness shows what’s strong and real.
Count to five, then softly start.
To speak with a calm and gentle heart.
💬 Thoughtful Questions for Kids and Parents:
1.
Why did Tommy push Leo, and what did
he learn from it?
2.
What does “The Tiger Rule” teach us
about staying calm when we’re angry?
3.
How can you show kindness and
self-control at school, even when someone is mean?
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