12 minute read
Children
Lucky's First Adventure
In a big red barn, one spring morning was heard the happy peeping of mother ducks babies. They were excited because Mrs. Duck had promised to take them on a walk outside the barn today.
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Mrs. Duck stood at the door and called to her ducklings to get in line. They all hurried to do as they were told, all but one. His name was Lucky. Lucky always seemed to be in a hurry. He always wanted to be the first one to do everything.
As his brothers and sisters were getting in line, Lucky ran past his mother and into the farmyard. His mother quickly stopped Lucky and guided him to the end of the line. While standing there, all Lucky could think about were the new places he had just seen outside. Mrs. Duck was telling everyone about the wonderful things they would see and also the dangers they should avoid. Lucky was so lost in what he had already seen, that he wasn’t listening to his mother.
Mrs. Duck said, “Now stay in line and follow me.”
As they went into the farmyard, Lucky once again ran out of line and past his mother. Lucky saw the biggest puddle of water he had ever seen. He could almost feel the water on his feet, when suddenly his mother appeared before him, blocking his way with her out stretched wings. As Lucky stopped in front of her, he looked up into her angry face, and said, “I only wanted to play in the puddle!”
Mrs. Duck said, “I told you that playing in puddles was dangerous!” About that time a car went by with its tires going directly into the puddle and splashing the ducks with muddy water. As Lucky shook the water from his feathers, he said “Wow! I would have been squished!” “Yes” his mother, said, “I teach you things so you can be safe, now get back in line.
As the family went on with their walk they met Mrs. Chicken and Her husband Rooster, and their children. As Mrs. Duck and Mrs. Chicken were talking the ducklings were allowed to play with the children in their yard.
When they continued on the ducklings were introduced to the pig family, the sheep family, and had just met Mrs. cow and her new baby. While Mrs. Duck and Mrs. Cow were talking, Lucky look around him and saw a big black dog on a chain. Lucky left his place in line and went to talk to the big dog. The dog had been watching the family and as Lucky came nearer, he said in his nicest voice, “Hello little duck, would you like to swim in my water dish?”
Why thank you for inviting me, that sounds like fun!” said Lucky.
As Lucky started across the dirt that marked where the big dogs chain made him stop, Lucky’s mother once again swooped in front of him with her wings spread out. As Mrs. Duck quickly pushed Lucky back into the grass, the big dog leaped to his feet and ran to the end of his chain, barking and growling angrily. As Lucky looked past his mother at the now scary dog, he asked “ What did I do that made him so mad?”
As Mrs. Duck guided Lucky back into line, She said, “He is mad because he didn’t get to eat you.”
Eat Me? He invited me to swim in his water bowl and he sounded nice.
“Yes Lucky, He sounded nice and offered you what you might like, just to get you to come close enough to him so he could eat you. He is dangerous, that is why he is on the chain. That is also why I didn’t introduce you to him. You should not speak or go near anyone I have not introduced you to. They might be dangerous, and hurt you.
See ADVENTURE on Page 20
Lukie The Little Licking Lucky Lizard
By Darlene Lopez
Lollypops, ladybugs, licorice, lice, are all so tasty and all very nice. Well, they are to a lizard. Lukie, however, was not your ordinary lizard. He was a little lizard with a long tongue. He loved to lick and laugh at everything he looked at - especially when he went to the Lagoon Store with his mommy.
“I promise! I promise,” said Lukie, “I won’t lick.” “Okay,” said Mother, “You can come with me to the
Lagoon Store, but I don’t want to see any licking. “
Mother and Lukie headed off to the store. When they arrived Lukie wanted to sit in his favorite basket, the one with the leaping lilies painted on it. The moment Lukie got into to the basket he could feel the desire to lick begin. His tongue began to unravel in his mouth and started to come out. He immediately shoved it back into his mouth. He could still feel his little tongue wiggling around. It was causing his whole body to wiggle.
“Lukie, what is wrong with you?” said his mother, “Sit still and quit your wiggling.”
She didn’t realize that little Lukie was having such a hard time controlling his tongue and his desire to lick.
Mother continued her shopping. Looking at her list she went down through the left-over aisle. She got lasagna (Lukie’s favorite) to make for lunch, and some lemon lime Jell-O for dessert. As they continued little Lukie was licking his lips. He saw the lollypops and he desperately wanted to lick them. He remembered his promise to his mommy, but he couldn’t stop thinking of how he used to lick the lollypops and laugh every time he came in to the store. This made the desire much more strong. At that moment Lukie knew he needed help controlling his desire. He began to pray. He asked God for help and strength to keep the promise he made to his mommy.
So he decided to lounge in the basket, in hopes that this would help him. His mind would wonder about the ladybugs, licorice and lice. Yum! They were all so tasty and oh so nice. He could find them all at the Lagoon Store. The desire kept getting stronger and little Lukie couldn’t stop licking his lips. He also couldn’t stop drooling!
He began to reach for the Lice when his mother smacked his hand and said, “Don’t you dare!” Lukie’s mother knew little Lukie was having a hard time keeping his promise but she still had lots more shopping to do.
Mother didn’t know what to do, so she got her lasso rope and decided to tie little Lukie’s lap to the basket in hopes he wouldn’t reach for anything else.
“Ah-ha,“ she said as she thought this knot would do the trick. However, little Lukie still wanted to lick. His mouth was getting very watery and the desire grew stronger and stronger.
“Oh, if only I could have one little lick then I would feel so much better, he thought to himself. He tried so very to keep his lips sealed and not allow his little long tongue to come out.
Then all of a sudden something caught his eye. “Hum, what is this?” he though, “I’ve never seen these here before.”
There in the aisle was a sign that read, “New lobsters for sale! Please don’t touch. Lobsters have been known to bite lizards.” Well little Lukie didn’t know how to read.
“What does that big sign say?” he wondered, “What do all those letters spell?” All he knew was those Lobsters looked lovely. He had never seen such creatures before. He was fascinated by them.
“Oh, if only I could lick them. I bet they taste good. I bet they can make me laugh more than lollypops. They have to be able to make me laugh. Look at those weird fingers. They probably tickle.” He said to himself.
He began to get a little closer to reach his head into the glass. “Hum! What is that?” he thought curiously.
Meanwhile, Mother was purchasing some lavender for the other lizards in the family and she wasn’t paying much attention to Lukie. Lukie just couldn’t take it anymore.
“I want to touch but my lap is tied with a lasso. I can’t move my legs. The only option left is for me to have a taste. So, I guess I must choose,” thought Lukie.
He opened his mouth and his tongue rolled out over the glass and into the lobster tank.
“Awe! Yes, this is it,” he thought, “I’m going to get a lick! YES! YES! YES!” Then all of a sudden, SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Mother looked over and grabbed Lukie just in time before the lobster bit little Lukie’s long tongue.
“You lucky little lizard,” she said. As you can guess the lobster was the one with the last laugh. From that day on little Lukie always asked before he licked anything again. At the Lagoon Store, little Luke learned a lesson. It is better to have self-control then to be bitten by a lobster. Sometimes it’s hard to have self-control, but with God all things are possible. So the next time you’re having a hard time ask God to help you and He will. ©2022 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
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3 Tips To Help Kids Eat Healthier
By Patricia Coldiron
“According to the American Heart Association, one in three kids and teens are overweight.” Carrying those extra pounds can contribute to diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes. Losing and maintaining a healthy weight is important, but asking your kids to try new healthier foods can be an uphill battle. (First Corinthians 6:19) makes it clear that we are to honor God by keeping our bodies healthy. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” Teaching your kids to eat healthier will benefit the whole family.
Here are 3 tips to help your kids eat healthier without feeling deprived.
Make Gradual Changes
Making a sudden announcement that steak and French fries will be replaced by tuna casserole and vegetables may result in shrieks of protest and tears.
You can make gradual changes that will hardly be noticeable. Sneak zucchini in bread, muffins, and waffles. Meatloaf can be more nutritious by using turkey and grated carrots. Make homemade chocolate waffles with whole wheat flour, pumpkin, and chocolate chips.
Put fruit on skewers for a fun after school snack. Mix up a quick dip for fruit by mixing up instant pudding with skim milk. Keep healthy foods front and center in the refrigerator.
Get Kids Involved
Kids will be more likely to try new dishes if they help select the ingredients. Help them pick out fresh fruit and vegetables at the
As lucky went on with his family, he looked back at the big dog, who smiled and yelled you would have tasted good!”
Shortly they came to a big pond of water. Lucky forgot all about the scary dog and ran past his mother once again and headed toward the water. As he was nearly there, once again his mother appeared in front of him, with her wings spread out. As he stopped and once again looked into his mother’s angry face, he said “Ah mom I only wanted to be the first one in the water.”
“Lucky,” His mother said,” there are always going to be dangers around that if you are in a hurry you might not see.
As, though to prove her right, a long brown snake came out of the grass and silently slithered along the path toward the big pond. Lucky and his family stood where they were and watched as the snake went to the water’s edge. About that time a big bird swooped down and picked up the snake and flew away.
Mrs. Duck turned to her duckling and said, “That is why we must stay together. There is safety in numbers. The hawk could have Chosen any one of you for his dinner, but together in a line we look to big for him. The snake also would have had one of you for his dinner if I hadn’t of stopped you Lucky! That is why we need to be very careful all the time and listen to what we are told. Now lets go swimming! With that said Mrs. Duck led them all into the water and they splashed and swam. Took rides on moms back and had a really fun time.
When they got back to their nest in the barn and were snuggled around their mother safe and warm, Lucky began to drift off to sleep. He remembered all the new friends his mother introduced him to. He also remembered all the times he was almost killed, if it hadn’t been for his mother teaching him what he needed to know. Lucky realized how loved he was and how hard his mother was trying to keep him safe, he nestled closer to his mother and sleepily said “I love you mom” as he drifted off to sleep in his safe warm nest. ©2022 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
store and make it a game to see how many different colors they can find.
Get kids involved in cooking a meal. Look through cookbooks and let them choose recipes to try. Smaller kids can pull off lettuce leaves and pour ingredients into the bowl. Older kids can measure out ingredients (good way to teach math skills), knead dough, or cut up vegetables.
Make It a Family Affair
It is in everyone’s best interest to eat healthy, and kids won’t feel like they are on a special diet if the whole family is eating the same foods. To make it more fun, let each family member oversee dinner once a week. This is a good opportunity to cook together and try some new dishes that you can add in your own healthy ingredients. ©2022 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
ADVENTURE
Continued from Page 18
