Timothy the Turtle and the Missing Cookies: A Story About Honesty
Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow filled with buzzing bumblebees and blooming wildflowers, lived a friendly turtle named Timothy. Timothy wasn’t
like the other turtles. He didn’t like munching on crunchy leaves or slurping slimy slugs. Timothy had a sweet tooth, a very big sweet tooth! His favorite treat in the whole wide world was Mrs. Hippo’s delicious chocolate chip cookies, which she baked daily for her cake shop. Every afternoon, Timothy would peek through her kitchen window, his mouth watering at the sight of those warm, gooey cookies.
One day, Mrs. Hippo left a jar overflowing with cookies on her porch. Timothy’s eyes widened. What a chance! He could finally have all the cookies he ever dreamed of! He peeked around, making sure no one was watching, then scurried towards the basket.
Just as he reached for a cookie, a tiny voice squeaked, ‘‘Hi Timothy! What are you doing?’’
Timothy froze. It was Mindy the mouse, her brown eyes filled with concern.
‘‘Uh… I… I was just admiring Mrs. Hippo’s lovely porch,’’ Timothy stammered, his voice shaky.
Mindy didn’t seem convinced. ‘‘But your shell is right next to the cookie jar!’’
Timothy panicked. He couldn’t tell Mindy the truth. What if she told Mrs. Hippo?
His heart thumped like a drum. ‘‘I… I just wanted to say hello to the cookies,’’ he lied, forcing a smile.
Mindy looked even more worried. ‘‘But cookies don’t say hello back, Timothy.’’
Timothy knew he was in trouble. He shuffled his feet, his head hung low. ‘‘The truth is,’’ he confessed in a tiny voice, ‘‘I wanted a cookie.’’
Mindy’s face softened. ‘‘Oh, Timothy,’’ she said gently. ‘‘It’s never a good idea to tell a lie.’’
...
Imagine you found yourself in a tricky situation and felt tempted to lie, but first, you wanted advice from another person. Who can you go to? Maybe a parent, sibling, teacher, or another trusted grownup? (This question encourages readers to identify safe spaces where they can be honest and seek guidance.)