Yodel Learns His lesson

My name is Yodel .  I live with my mother and father in the jungles of Helbula. It is very hot and humid and it rains every day before supper.  In our back yard my father planted  a banana tree and  it was my job to pick the bananas . There was only one problem.  I LOVED bananas and I usually ate more then I picked.  My mother told me that if I ate too many bananas I would get a big belly ache.

My father's birthday was in a week and I wanted to buy him a new "monkey suit".  I thought, if I could pick all the bananas and take them to the marketplace, I could sell them and earn enough money to buy my daddy's present. Without asking or telling  my mother what I was going to do, I took a big grocery cart and started to fill it with bananas from our back yard. As soon as it was full, I started into town. My mind was so set on getting a present for my dad, that it never occurred to me that I was doing anything wrong.  I was very excited and in great anticipation of all the money that I was going to earn for my daddy's birthday present.


On the way to the market I met a lion, "Hey, Yodel where are you going with all those bananas ? I told him my story and asked him if he wanted to buy some bananas. the lion responded saying," You got to be kidding, Yodel. I am a lion and lions don't eat bananas."   I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. He might know  someone who would buy bananas.
                                                  

I started into town again and on my way a met an giant turtle slowly strolling down the middle of the road. When he saw me he asked,"Hey, Yodel, where are you going with all the bananas?"  Again I told my story.  The turtle was very impressed that I wanted to do such a nice thing for my father, but, he too didn't eat bananas and went on his way.  I was beginning to wonder, who would buy my bananas?

What I didn't know was that my mother had gone, out into our back yard for some bananas for supper and when she saw all the bananas were picked, she thought someone had stolen them.  She called my father at work and he immediately left to come home. What happened next I never expected.


After the giant turtle was on his way, I continued to push the cart towards town.  Just before I was about to reach the marketplace, I saw my dad coming down the road.  "Oh no, "I thought to myself, "He is going to find out that I am going to buy him a birthday present. Where can I hid?"  Off to one side of the road there was a big ditch. As I quickly pulled my cart into the ditch, I tipped the cart over and half the load of bananas felled out.  I tried to picked up the bananas as fast as I could, but, when I looked up, standing over me was my dad.  I was terrified.  I knew I was in big trouble.  How was now I going to keep my secret about his birthday present?

"So you are the one who stole all our bananas in the back yard," his father sternly spoke.  "You pick up all the bananas immediately and head back home."


"But Dad, you don't understand.  I needed to sell the bananas." I said hopefully.  Daddy softened his tone to listen to my explanation. "It is like this daddy.  I wanted to buy you a  new monkey suit for your birthday.  I thought if I picked bananas and sold them in town, I would have the money for your present."  Daddy was very appreciative of my kind gesture to buy him a birthday present, but not this way.


"Yodel, I am very happy that you wanted to buy me a new monkey suit, but you don't have to steal to buy it. Stealing is always wrong.  Why didn't you ask your mother for help?" asked his daddy. 

On his way home, I had a lot to think about.  I realized that it was wrong to steal, even though it was for something good.  That night before I went to bed, daddy came into my room with a big surprise, "Yodel, your mother and I were talking and we both think that you have learned your lesson.  However, what you didn't know was we needed someone to pick the ripe bananas and to take them to the marketplace". Daddy slipped an envelop under my pillow, turned off my light and kissed me good night.

What do you think was in the envelop?

Hector. the Shinny Red Firer Truck

                                                   Hector, the Shiny Red Fire Truck

Hector was a very special little red fire truck. For years, Hector was the only fire truck in Mugginville.  When the fire alarm sounded Hector's little engine was always oiled, greased and ready to go.  His siren always made the loudest noise, telling people to get out of his way.  When there was a fire, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave.Everyone in Mugginville loved Hector.  On the 4th of July, Hector always led the big parade.  His wheels were so shiny and clean as a whistle.  His red engine was polished so bright that you could see your face in the front fender.

One day while Hector was getting washed and polished, a brand new red fire truck pulled into the garage right beside Hector. It was twice his size.  Big Joe was his name. His water hoses were three times as long as Hector's and could shoot to the top of the highest buildings in town.  His ladders reached the sky. At least Hector thought that they did.  He had been the only fire truck for years, and he thought to himself, "The town doesn't need another fire truck.  I know I can do the job.  I always have,"


Then early one morning the alarm went off.  Hector was the first one awake and ready to go, but when the fire men arrived they all jumped onto Big Joe and left Hector and fireman Fred to watch the station. Hector felt so dejected. He didn't know what to think. He had never been left behind before. He felt like he was unwanted, unimportant and rejected.  Big tears began to roll down his shinny red fenders. His little red heart was broken.


Hector was feeling so sorry for himself  that he didn't even hear the alarm go off. "Hector, Hector," called Fred, "It's our turn.."  Hector wiped his tears, put a smile on his face, as Fred jumped on the back.  He headed down the street. But, you will never believe where the fire was? It was  the same fire that Big Joe was at. "What's the problem Big Joe ," asked Hector. Big Joe replied, " There is a little puppy crying for help and I am too big to squeeze between the two buildings. The puppy is so scared." His master on the ground was extremely happy to see Hector. Brave little Hector fitted himself right between the two buildings, while Fred climbed the ladder and brought the little puppy down and placed him into the arms of his master.  Hector was so proud of himself. He was really needed.  Everyone patted Hector on his shinny red fenders for saving the puppy. Even big Joe admired him saying "Hector, you are a very special, fire truck. I could never do what you did today." Hector smiled and led big Joe back to the fire station. 

From that day on, Hector knew that he was important and never felt sorry for himself again. It was a lie. He was needed. Hector just had to wait his turn. He wasn't the ONLY one that was important.  Big Joe had his place in the fire station too. There would always be plenty of smaller fires for Hector to perform alone. But don't forget the 4th of July. The parade never started without Hector leading it.

Jealousy, 'The Green Eye Monster

                                                                                                                             

Topsy is the most adorable little girl,, whose perky personality and sprinkling bright brown eyes caught everyone's attention. As she skipped through life with her big captivating smile, her mother would remind her saying,  "Remember Topsy,  'a smile is a curve the sets a lot of things straight.' " I wonder if Topsy really knew what her mother meant.  Do you think you might know?

Topsy's enthusiasm was delightful, as she shipped through life, touching those around her with her happy heart. Her most special play time was with her baby dolls.  She treated them like real babies.  In the morning she would give them a bottle, change their diapers, bath them, and put them down for a morning nap. At lunch time, she would feed them again and in the afternoon she put them in her doll carriage for a walk.

It seemed like every Christmas and birthday she would get a new baby doll. By the time she was five years old, she had a nursery full of baby dolls to care for. She named her first baby doll Molly.  She took Molly everywhere. When she and her mother went to the grocery store, Molly sat in the grocery cart. Topsy loved to take Molly with her to restaurants and sit her in a high chair.  Molly was a very special baby doll to Topsy, UNTIL Susie came into the nursery then Easter, Anna, and Sara, started to take up all of

Topsy's time.
 0ne night when Topsy was sound asleep, Molly  jumped up on her bed. "Topsy, I need to talk to you.," demanded Molly. Topsy responded, "what is this all about ? Molly continued, "You don't spend any more special time with me. We don't go to the grocery store or out to  eat ever since all THOSE other babies arrived in the nursery. I don't think you love me," Molly hurtfully expressed.

Topsy knew that her love for Molly was still the same, "Molly, you know that is not true.  I just have so many more babies to care for, but I always have time for you. You know Molly, I think you are JEALOUS.'  Molly interrupted her, "What do you mean JEALOUS?" Topsy explained that JEALOUSY was a fear of being replaced, and that she thought that all the other babies were taking her place in the nursery. Molly felt rejected."Molly, Molly,' said Topsy,'There is no other baby doll, who could ever take your place. I need your help in the nursery. It is a big job caring for five babies."  Molly felt badly that she had accused Topsy of not loving her and asked for her forgiveness.  Topsy hugged Molly and together they snuggled under the bed covers for the rest of the night.

 When Topsy woke up she expected to find Molly to be right beside her in bed, but she wasn't.  Molly wasn't any where in the nursery. Was her conversation with Molly all a dream? Topsy was so upset and ran crying into her mother's bedroom, "Mommy,  mommy, I can't find Molly"  Her mother gently pulled her aside and said,"Let 's pray.  Jesus knows where everything is." Topsy folded her hands and prayed," Dear Jesus, will you please find Molly for me?"

                                                                                  

Just then the phone rang.  Topsy answered.  It was Mom Mom.  Without even saying hello, Topsy blurted out, "Mom Mom, Molly ran away and I don't know where she is."  Mom Mom answered saying, "guess who came to visit me yesterday? It was Molly. She thinks you forgot her.  I will drop her off on my way to the grocery store."  Topsy was beside herself, "Oh Mom Mom, Jesus found Molly for me.  Do you think Molly and I could go to the store with you?  She hasn't been with me to the store for a long time."  You can be sure that from that day on, Topsy wanted to make Molly feel important to keep that GREEN EYED MONSTER away.