A Little Wisdom for Growing Up, Second and Expanded Edition. John C. Morgan

to the ants . . . , consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

      The Panda’s Delight

      The tiny squirrel pleaded with the panda bear: “Please, sir, don’t eat me! I will do anything you want if you spare my life!”

      “I don’t desire to eat you,” replied the panda.

      “How can that be?” asked the squirrel, remembering that all the bears he had watched before would have eaten him quickly.

      “I just don’t desire to eat you. In fact, I don’t desire much at all right now except to be left alone to enjoy my lunch.” So saying, the panda turned to munch on bamboo shoots.

      The squirrel thanked the panda and ran away, suddenly remembering that his mother had once told him that the panda only ate vegetables, as he should, too.

      Moral: Having few needs makes life more simple.

      The Great Sun

      The Great Sun looked down on the planet and smiled. He was powerful, his breath so hot that he could melt ice or cause the creatures below to seek shelter.

      “Who should I smile down on today?” the sun thought.

      He looked upon continents and across oceans. He viewed cities and villages for someone to smile upon. Then he spotted a few humans in a field. “I shall visit them with my breath,” he boasted.

      Just when he was about to smile, a dark cloud moved in front of him, blocking his view of earth and giving the humans protection.

      Moral: A lot of life is a matter of timing.