Lionel the Lion Cub and the Shared Lunch: A Story About Gratefulness
In the heart of the great Savanna, where the golden grass swayed in the warm breeze, lived a young lion cub named Lionel. Lionel was a happy and lucky cub. He always had plenty of food, a cozy den, and lots of toys to play with. His parents, King Leo and Queen Lila, made sure he had everything he needed. Every day, Queen Lila packed him a delicious lunch – a juicy antelope steak and a handful of sweet berries – wrapped in a giant, green edible leaf. After lunch, he’d play with his favorite toys or go on adventures around the Savanna with his many friends. Life was good, and Lionel felt very content. One sunny afternoon, as Lionel was unwrapping his lunch, he spotted a small creature he didn’t recognize. It was a little fox, its ears perked high, sniffing the air curiously.
‘‘Hello!’’ boomed Lionel, his voice echoing across the savanna.
The little fox jumped a mile high, then scurried closer cautiously. ‘‘Hi,’’ squeakedthe fox, its voice barely a whisper. ‘‘I’m Frank.’’
‘‘I’m Lionel,’’ he declared, puffing out his chest. ‘‘What are you doing?’’
‘‘Looking for food,’’ Frank replied, his voice tinged with sadness. ‘‘I’ve been walking for days, but I could barely find anything.’’
Lionel’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t imagine being hungry and not having enough to eat. He took out his steak and tore off a large piece. ‘‘Here, you can have some of my food,’’ he offered, extending the meat towards Frank.
Frank’s eyes lit up with gratitude. ‘‘Thank you so much, Lionel!’’ he exclaimed.
He quickly started eating, and Lionel could see how much it meant to him.
As Frank ate, Lionel felt a new feeling inside. It was a warm and happy feeling, different from the happiness he felt when playing with his toys or eating his favorite meals. This feeling came from seeing someone else happy and knowing that he had helped.
Later that day, Lionel sat under the shade of a large acacia tree, thinking about Frank’s difficulties and gratefulness when he received some food. Lionel realized that he had never really thought about his own food in that way. He then looked around at the lush Savanna, the tall grass, and the clear blue sky. He thought about his cozy den, loving parents, and all the delicious food he always had. For the first time, he began to understand
how blessed he was.
‘‘Mom,’’ Lionel said, as he found Queen Lila resting nearby, ‘‘why do we have so much food and others don’t?’’
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Can you name someone or something you are thankful for? It could be your family member or a friend, toys, clothes, food, or a comfy bed. (This
question helps readers identify things they take for granted and appreciate the things they have.)