Once upon a time, in a small, cheerful village, there lived a little boy named Timothy Chatterbottom. Timothy was not just any boy; he was the most talkative child anyone had ever met. From the moment he woke up in the morning until he finally drifted off to sleep at night, Timothy’s mouth was in constant motion. He would talk to his toys, to the flowers in the garden, and even to the birds in the trees.
“Good morning, Mr. Robin!” he’d say, “Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
His friends often joked that Timothy’s words could fill a book as big as the village library. One sunny day, Timothy decided to visit the wise old owl, who lived in the tallest tree at the edge of the forest. This ancient owl was known for his wisdom, and Timothy wanted to learn how to talk even more! As he climbed up the tree, he chattered away, asking questions about everything he saw.
“Mr Owl, do you think I talk too much?” Timothy asked eagerly.
The owl looked down with a gentle smile.
“Timothy, your words are like a bubbling brook, full of life and joy. But sometimes, listening is just as important as talking.”
Timothy thought about this and decided to try something new. The next day, he listened carefully to his friends and family. When they spoke, he listened quietly, nodding and smiling. It was a little tricky at first, but Timothy found that he learned so many new stories and jokes just by listening. Soon, Timothy became not only the most talkative boy but also the best listener in the village. His friends loved to share their stories with him, knowing he would listen with his whole heart. And so, Timothy Chatterbottom learned that while talking is wonderful, listening makes your words even more special. From that day on, he spoke and listened in perfect harmony, filling his days with laughter, stories, and friendship.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 