- Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Once upon a time, in a big, green forest, lived Pippin the Panda. Pippin had fluffy black-and-white fur and loved eating bamboo—yum, yum, yum! He ate lots every day because pandas need lots of bamboo to be happy.
Up in the sky flew Elias the Eagle. Elias had pretty white feathers on his head and a strong beak. He was super old—older than two dogs put together! That’s almost 30 years. He could see everything from way up high.
One day, Pippin looked up and shouted, “Hi, Elias! Why do you fly so high?”
Elias landed on a branch. “God told me to fly high and follow His directions. What did God tell you, Pippin?”
Pippin giggled. “To eat bamboo and stay in the forest! But I want to see more.”
Elias smiled. “Meet me tomorrow at sunrise by the forest edge. Follow my directions, and I’ll show you something special!”
Pippin said, “Okay!”
The next morning, Pippin waddled to Elias. Elias said, “Walk to the big tree, turn left at the water, and climb the hill. I’ll wait for you. Don’t go the wrong way!”
Pippin started walking. But then he saw yummy bamboo. “Just one bite!” he said. He went the wrong way and—splat!—fell into sticky mud. “Oh no!” Pippin cried.
Elias flew down. “Pippin! You didn’t follow my directions!”
Pippin said, “I wanted bamboo. Now I’m stuck!”
Elias grabbed a vine with his strong wings and pulled Pippin out. They went up the hill, but the pretty sunrise was gone. Pippin was sad. “I missed it.”
Elias said, “God gives us directions to keep us safe and happy. Next time, listen, okay?”
Pippin nodded. “I will!”
That night, Pippin snuggled in his bamboo bed, and Elias slept in his tree. They both said, “Thank You, God!”
“Dear Jesus, thank You for helping us like Elias helped Pippin. Help me listen to You and follow Your directions. Keep me safe. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”
“Trust God with all your heart, and He will show you the way.” – Proverbs 3:5-6)
Good night! Sweet dreams of pandas and eagles following God’s path!
