children's story

so here's the deal: I am teaching a character education lesson this week, and I wrote an accompanying children's story. I am still editing it, so if you have a moment, read it and suggest any changes. Thanks!

Sam and Nutty

Sam yawned and stretched his fuzzy little squirrel paws, blinking against the early-morning sunlight. “Only seven more days…” he half-muttered, considering rolling back over for a few more minutes of sleep.

Suddenly, his tail shot up and he let out a tiny squeak. “Seven days! Why, that is only one week! There is so much left to do before they arrive. Nutty and I need to get busy.”

Slipping along the dewy branches while munching on an acorn, Sam headed toward his best friend, Nutty. Nutty was curled into the fork of a tree branch, using his fluffy gray tail as a pillow. As quietly as possible, Sam aimed his chewed-on acorn at Nutty’s head.

Ready….Aim….

“Just what do you think you’re doing?”

Nutty had cracked one eye open and was staring directly at Sam’s cocked hand.

“Shoot!” Sam groaned. “You are always so fast—you catch me at everything!”

Nutty just grinned. “So, why are you waking me up so early?” Nutty asked.

“The Squirrel Prince and Princess are coming in just one week. We have to prepare our gifts and decorations for their arrival. It’s tradition.”

“That’s right!” exclaimed Nutty. I completely forgot they were coming so soon. What are you going to make?”

Sam thought for a moment. “I think I will weave a blanket to give as a gift.”

“That’s a great idea, Sam! I want to build and decorate an archway for the prince and princess to walk under as they arrive. I will also give them slippers they can wear while visiting our area of the forest and a decorated bowl they can bring back to the Treecastle.

Sam hesitated a minute before saying anything. “Don’t you think that might be too much to make before next Saturday? We still have to go to Tree Training and Acornology.” Sam was also a little afraid that the prince and princess might like Nutty’s gifts better than his own. But he wasn’t about to say anything.

“You don’t have to worry about a thing,” Nutty asserted. “I can work fast and make everything with time to spare. The squirrel prince and princess will love it.”

Sam wasn’t completely convinced, but figured Nutty would make it work somehow.

Over the next few days the squirrel friends raced from leaf to limb to trunk to ground and then back again, collecting the materials they needed for their gifts and then piecing them together. Nutty quickly finished his bowl over the weekend, setting it aside to focus on the more complicated arch and the delicate slippers. Sam carefully searched for the perfect yarns, strands, and cloths, testing out different color combinations and arrangements for his blanket.

Each day, Sam and Nutty’s friends would beg them to play Snatch the Oak Leaf or Flying Leap, but the squirrels kept focused on their tasks.

By Friday morning, Nutty had hurried through his final gifts while Sam was still carefully weaving his colorful blanket.

“I finished all my gifts! You should hurry up and finish too so that we can go play,” Nutty tried to persuade Sam.

“I want this to be the best blanket I have ever created,” Sam replied. “Don’t you think you should check out your gifts one more time and make sure they are ready?”

“I’m sure they are just fine. I have been working hard and really want to play Bird Chasers.”

“Suit yourself,” Sam said. “I will see you in the morning when the prince and princess arrive.”

“Sounds great!” Nutty called over his shoulder as he scampered away.

Sam worked until sunset on his blanket, carefully sewing his name into the reds and blues in the corner once he was satisfied with his work.

Saturday morning dawned cool and clear. All the squirrels of South Forest were chattering with excitement for the prince and princesses arrival. Decorations streamed from the branches, adding colorful festivity to the forest. Directly in front of the tree where the prince and princess would stay, Nutty’s arch of leaves and branches looked incredible.

Sam and Nutty squashed together at the front of the crowd, eager to glimpse the prince and princess. A slight gasp rippled through the crowd when they saw the prince and princess approaching in their royal cloaks and crowns. Just as they were walking through the arch, it emitted a creaking sound of splintering wood. Standing beside Sam, Nutty whispered a soft, “Uh oh!” and watched helplessly as his arch collapsed in a scrunch of twigs, knocking the crown off the head of the prince.

Fortunately, the prince was not hurt, just a little rattled after the collapse. He and the princess went up into their tree to rest until dinner.

For dinner, all the squirrels gathered at the banquet branch for a meal to honor the royalty. The princess walked to dinner carrying a decorated bowl.

Nutty nudged Sam. “Look! She is going to use my bowl for dinner! I knew they would like my gifts!”

As the waiter poured soup into the princess’ bowl, she let out a shrill cry. “Ouch! This bowl is leaking all over my lap!” The princess stood up and hurried back toward her tree to change out of her soiled outfit. As the prince scrambled to catch up with her, one of his slippers broke, sending him sprawling. He almost flew clear out of the tree!

Nutty just buried his face in his paws. “I worked too fast! All my gifts are ruined!”

That night, the forest got very cold. Not expecting this sudden freeze, the prince and princess were grateful to have a softly woven blanket to keep them warm through the night.

The next morning, Sam was quietly asked to join the prince and princess before breakfast. He was exited, but also a little apprehensive.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Sam questioned the prince and princess while sitting down.

“It is about your blanket,” the king stated solemnly.

Oh no! thought Sam. Something is wrong with my gift too!

Sam started to explain, “I’m sorry! I should have worked harder—”

“Shh…” hushed the princess. “You don’t need to apologize. This is one of the finest blankets we have seen. It kept us warm all night long. Despite all the mishaps on this visit to South Forest, we know that at least one member of the forest takes pride in his work. You created a blanket that you can be proud of. Because of your excellent work, we would like you to join us to work at the castle in a couple of years when you finish at Treetop High.”

Sam was thrilled with the offer and honored that the royalty had been pleased with the time he put into making the blanket. He couldn’t wait to go work at the castle.

When Sam went tell Nutty about his news, he found him hiding down by the river.

“Why are you hiding from everyone?” he questioned.

“I am so frustrated with my gifts. I wanted to please the prince and princess, but I had the worst luck ever!” he moaned.

“Well…” Sam replied, “Was this all about luck or was it about hard work?”

Nutty was quiet for a minute, staring at his fuzzy toes. “I guess, maybe, this wasn’t about bad luck. Maybe I should have spent more time in making my gifts. I just wish I was as dedicated as you.”

Sam glanced over at Nutty. “Sometimes I wish I had as many cool ideas as you.”

“Really?” Nutty’s eyes got a little brighter.

“Really. Maybe next time, you can help me consider more ideas and I can help you stay focused on making them well.”

“I’d like that,” Nutty said.

“You know,” Sam pondered, “It’s just like Grandma Squirrel is always telling us. You can plant an acorn in a minute, but it takes a decade and a lot of sunlight before you can sit in its oak branches.”