TODAY'S: GROWING TOGETHER

"Something's Wrong with the Elephant"

Anna Atsu — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 10:16:03 GMT

In the very heart of the jungle, where the sun's rays peeked through the thick green canopy, the animals were always full of life. The monkeys swung from tree to tree, chattering and laughing as they played tag among the vines.

The parrots fluttered their colourful wings, squawking jokes that made the other birds chuckle. The frogs leapt from lily pad t…

A day at a meadow

Anna Atsu — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:01:45 GMT

The sun kissed the earth as it does every morning. Each flower in a meadow raised its head towards the rayons, all sharing the same hope: to be visited by bumblebees and butterflies. Standing tall and proud, the Roses started to boast about their vibrant red petals and delightful fragrance.

“We are the most beautiful of all,” they declared, heads held h…

Like the sunset

Anna Atsu — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:01:37 GMT

The nightingale had been flying tirelessly for many days. He traveled from Africa, where lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes live. He flew non-stop, day and night.

Finally, between the clouds, he saw an old orchard near a river and a forest.

“Maybe this is where my home will be,” thought the nightingale.

He descended. He sat down on a branch, shifted fr…

In Black and White

Anna Atsu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:45:38 GMT

It was a sunny Friday afternoon. Two sisters, Michiko and Aye, sat in a park ready to share their snacks. Michiko looked at Aye and knew that a question was coming so she decided to be the one who would begin this time:

“Aye, do you ever wonder why our parents talk about those old black-and-white films?” Michiko asked passing Aye an apple.

Aye nodded, “Ye…

Finally Fine

Anna Atsu — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:50:14 GMT

Lila was a spirited girl with an affinity for nature. She could often be found talking to animals and tending to her garden of rare flowers. On the other hand, Finn was a creative soul, always sketching the world around him and inventing contraptions that delighted everyone.

Despite their closeness, Lila and Finn took each other for granted. They clashed…

Like a river

Anna Atsu — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:01:02 GMT

For Anna and Ben playing with their friends and imagining grand adventures were important, but there was one thing they were always in a hurry.

Every morning of the summer, they would rush through breakfast to get outside as quickly as possible. They'd hastily tie their shoes, barely take a moment to enjoy the fresh morning air and race off to their next…

What Is It with That Time?

Anna Atsu — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:01:11 GMT

Emily and Jack were siblings exploring the world around them.

One afternoon, as they ran out of breath and sat under a tree in the park, Emily asked Jack, "Do you ever wonder how much time is worth?"

Jack, tilting his head thoughtfully, replied, "Yeah, I wonder about that too. Mom and Dad always say that time is precious, but we can't buy it. What do you …

The Childhood

Anna Atsu — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 15:00:47 GMT

It was a rainy season. Christopher sat by the window, watching raindrops race each other down the glass. He turned to his mom, who was knitting a colourful scarf on the sofa.

"Mom," Christopher asked, "what was your childhood like?"

His mom paused and put down her knitting. She patted the sofa beside her, and Christopher scampered over, eager to hear the …

The Mighty Little Oak

Anna Atsu — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:01:22 GMT

Oliver wasn’t a child.

He was the smallest tree in the forest, surrounded by tall trees that seemed to touch the sky. Every day, Oliver dreamed of growing big and strong like the others, but he was just so small.

One sunny morning, a wise old owl named Olive perched on Oliver's slender branches. "Why so glum, little one?" Olive hooted softly.

"I want to b…

The Healing Picture

Anna Atsu — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:39:32 GMT

Hugo lived with his dad, Mr. Cesar. One sunny afternoon, Hugo was playing with his toy cars when he suddenly stopped and looked up at his dad.

“Dad, why can’t we call Grandpa?” the boy asked with a puzzled look.

Mr. Cesar put down his phone and smiled. He walked over to Hugo and sat down next to him.

“You see, Hugo,” Mr. Cesar began, “Grandpa had an operat…

Can't she hurry up?

Anna Atsu — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:29:04 GMT

Angelica loved to go on walks with her mom, exploring the vibrant streets and greeting everyone with a bright smile. One sunny afternoon, as Angelica and her mom were walking down the main street, they saw an old lady moving very slowly in front of them.

Angelica, full of energy, was eager to keep moving quickly. She tugged at her mom’s hand and said, “M…

My Mum Smiles

Anna Atsu — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 06:01:52 GMT

Olek lived with his mum, Barbara, in a small apartment. One sunny morning, Olek woke up to find his mum sitting at the kitchen table, sipping her tea with a tired look in her eyes.

"Mum, why do you look so tired?" Olek asked, his big blue eyes filled with concern.

Barbara put down her cup and gave Olek a warm, loving smile. She reached out and pulled him onto her lap, giving him a gentle hug.

"Sometimes, sweetheart, mums get tired," she began softly. "Taking care of everything can be hard work, especially when little ones like you are not feeling well."

Olek thought for a moment and remembered how he had been sick with a cold just last week. Mum had stayed by his side, reading stories, making soup, and giving him medicine.

"But Mum, you always smile, even when you’re tired. Why?" Olek asked, resting his head against her shoulder.

Barbara stroked his hair and looked into his curious eyes. "Well, Olek, life has its hard bits, but it also has its happy bits. When things get tough, like when you were sick, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But I smile because I have so many things to be grateful for."

"Like what?" Olek asked, tilting his head.

"Like you," Barbara said, poking his nose playfully. "And our nice apartment, our friends, and the beautiful city outside. Even when I'm tired, I think about the joy you bring me every day. It reminds me that the hard moments are just a small part of a much bigger, happier picture."

Olek's face lit up with understanding. "So, even when things are hard, we can still be happy about the good things?"

"Exactly, my love," Barbara replied. "It's important to remember the good things. They give us strength and make the hard times easier to handle."

Just then, a soft meow echoed from the corner of the room. Their fluffy cat, Puffy, jumped onto the table, purring loudly. Olek giggled and scratched behind Puffy's ears.

"See, Puffy makes us happy too!" Olek exclaimed.

Barbara nodded, her smile growing wider. "Yes, he does. And your laughter, Olek, is one of the most wonderful sounds in the world. It makes all the tiredness worth it."

Olek hugged his mum tightly, feeling a warm glow in his heart. "I love you, Mum. I'll try to remember to be happy about the good things too."

"I love you too, my sweet boy," Barbara whispered, kissing his forehead. "And together, we'll always find reasons to smile, no matter how tired we might be."

From that day on, Olek looked at the world with new eyes. He noticed the beautiful flowers in the park, the songs of the birds, and the kindness in people's hearts. He learned that even on the toughest days, there were always things to be grateful for, and reasons to smile.

And every night, as Barbara tucked him into bed, she felt a special kind of joy knowing that her little boy was growing up with a heart full of gratitude and a beautiful smile she kept under her eyelids each night before falling asleep.

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The Best Way to Understand

Anna Atsu — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:00:51 GMT

Sasha and her mum, Valentina had recently moved to a new place from a faraway country, and everything was so different—the food, the language, and even the way people dressed. Valentina always encouraged Sasha to be brave and kind, even when things felt strange or hard.

One sunny afternoon, as Sasha and Valentina were planting flowers in their garden, they heard a voice from the other side of the fence. It was their neighbour, Mrs Smith. She often looked grumpy and never smiled at them. In fact, she seemed a bit mean sometimes. Sasha always kept quiet when she saw her but couldn't understand why her mum always tried to talk to Mrs Smith, even when she wasn't very friendly.

"Mum," Sasha asked, "why do you always talk to Mrs Smith? She doesn't seem to like us."

Valentina smiled gently at Sasha. "Well, sweetheart, Mrs Smith doesn’t know us very well. We come from a different country, and we don’t speak her language perfectly. Sometimes, people can be a little afraid or unsure of things they don’t understand."

"But why?" Sasha wondered, frowning.

Valentina thought momentarily, then said, "Imagine if you met someone who looked and sounded very different. You might feel a little scared or unsure at first, right?"

Sasha nodded. "I guess so."

"Well," Valentina continued, "it’s hard to hate someone for being different when you’re too busy laughing together. That’s why I keep talking to Mrs Smith. I want her to see that we’re not so different after all."

Just then, a funny thing happened. As Valentina spoke, a little squirrel dashed across the yard, tripped over its own tail, and tumbled right into Mrs Smith’s garden. Sasha and Valentina burst out laughing, and to their surprise, so did Mrs Smith! Her laugh was loud and hearty, and it echoed through the neighbourhood.

Mrs. Smith walked over to the fence, still chuckling. "Did you see that silly squirrel?" she asked, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"Yes!" Sasha giggled. "It was so funny!"

Valentina smiled warmly at Mrs Smith. "Sometimes, laughter is the best way to understand each other," she said.

Mrs Smith nodded, still smiling. "You’re right, Valentina. I think I’ve been a bit silly myself. I’m sorry if I seemed unfriendly. I’d like to get to know you better."

From that day on, Mrs Smith often joined Valentina and Sasha in their garden. They shared stories, and laughed together, and slowly but surely, Mrs Smith began to understand that difference wasn’t bad—it was just different.

And so, with a little bit of patience and laughter, a new friendship blossomed. Sasha learned that sometimes, all it takes to turn a stranger into a friend is a smile and a willingness to understand.

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Adam's Wave

Anna Atsu — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:14:18 GMT

Adam and his mum were walking through the park on a sunny afternoon when he noticed an old man sitting on a bench. The man was talking to himself and making strange hand gestures. Curious and a bit concerned, Adam tugged on his mum’s sleeve.

"Mum, why is that old man acting so strangely?" he asked.

His mum looked over at the man and smiled gently. "Adam, sometimes life can be tough for people, and they have different ways of coping."

Tommy frowned, not quite understanding. "What do you mean, Mum?"

"Well," she began, as they sat down on a nearby bench, "let me tell you a story."

Once upon a time, a boy named Ben lived in a small town. Ben was cheerful and loved playing outside with his friends. But one day, something sad happened. Ben’s best friend, his dog Jojo, got very sick and went to doggy heaven. Ben was heartbroken.

To help himself feel better, Ben started talking to a little tree in his backyard. He imagined the tree was his friend, and he would tell it all his secrets and how much he missed Jojo. Talking to the tree made Ben feel less lonely and helped him cope with his sadness.

Tommy listened intently. "So, talking to the tree helped Ben?"

"Yes," his mum replied. "Just like Ben, people find different ways to deal with difficult times. That old man might have gone through something very tough in his life, and talking to himself or making gestures might be his way of feeling better."

Adam looked back at the old man and saw him in a new light. "I guess everyone has their own special way of coping, right Mum?"

"Exactly, Adam," she said, hugging him close. "It's important to be kind and understanding, even when we don’t fully understand what someone else is going through."

Adam smiled. "Thanks, Mum. I’ll remember that."

As they walked away, Adam gave the old man a little wave, feeling a warm glow in his heart. He knew that everyone had their own story and that a bit of kindness could make a big difference.

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Life around Sunny's Dinner

Anna Atsu — Wed, 29 May 2024 07:59:56 GMT

Maria lived with her mom, Joanna, in a small but comfortable apartment above the diner where Joanna worked as a waitress. The diner, called "Sunny's Diner," was known for its delicious pancakes and friendly atmosphere. Maria loved spending time there, especially because everyone knew her and always had a smile for her.

One sunny afternoon, as Maria and her mom were walking home from school, they passed by a fancy restaurant with glittering lights and elegantly dressed people. Maria looked up at her mom with wide, inquisitive eyes and asked, "Mom, why do you work as a waitress? And why don't we ever go to fancy restaurants like that one?"

Joanna smiled warmly at her daughter and gently took her hand. "That's a great question, Maria," she said. "Let me tell you a story."

Maria loved her mom's stories, so she listened eagerly.

"A long time ago," Joanna began, "there was a little girl named Anna. Anna lived with her parents in a small village. They didn't have much, but they were happy because they had each other. Anna's mom worked as a seamstress, and her dad was a farmer. Anna often asked her parents why they didn't have a lot of money or go to fancy places. Her parents always told her that true wealth wasn't about money, but about love, kindness, and the joy you bring to others."

Joanna paused and smiled down at Maria. "Just like Anna's family, we may not have a lot of money, but we have a lot of love and joy. Working as a waitress allows me to be with you and take care of you. It also lets me meet wonderful people and make them smile every day. Do you remember Mrs. Thompson, the lady who always gives you a cookie when you visit the diner?"

Maria nodded eagerly. "Yes, she's so nice!"

"Exactly," Joanna continued. "People like Mrs. Thompson come to the diner because it's a place where they feel welcome and happy. And we may not go to fancy restaurants, but we have our own special places, like Sunny's Diner, where we can share meals and laughter."

Maria thought about her mom's words as they walked. "But doesn't it get hard, Mom? Being a waitress all the time?"

Joanna nodded. "Sometimes it is hard, but it's also rewarding. Every smile, every thank you, and every friend we make at the diner makes it worth it. Plus, it teaches us to be strong and appreciate what we have. We might not have everything we want, but we have everything we need: love, courage, and each other."

Maria hugged her mom tightly. "I love you, Mom. And I love our special places."

Joanna hugged her back. "I love you too, Maria. Remember, it's not where you are, but who you're with that makes life special."

From that day on, Maria understood why her mom worked as a waitress and why they didn't go to fancy restaurants. She realised that their simple, happy life was filled with love, wisdom, and the courage to face any challenge together.

And so, Maria and her mom continued to fill their days with laughter, love, and the warmth of Sunny's Diner, knowing that their true wealth was in their hearts.

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Timmy and a Powerful Ball

Anna Atsu — Mon, 27 May 2024 13:54:26 GMT

Timmy loved to play outside with his friends, especially football. One sunny afternoon, after scoring the winning goal, he ran inside to find his mum in the kitchen.

"Mum," Timmy asked, "why are there wars?"

His mum looked thoughtful for a moment. She wiped her hands on her apron and sat down at the table with Timmy. "That's a big question, Timmy. Sometimes, people have disagreements and can't find a way to solve them peacefully. They might want different things or feel angry and scared."

Timmy frowned. "But why don't they just talk it out and play together like we do?"

His mum smiled warmly. "That's a wonderful idea, Timmy. Imagine if everyone played football instead of fighting. When you play football, you have to work as a team, respect each other, and follow the rules. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as everyone has fun and plays fair."

Timmy's eyes lit up. "So, if everyone played football, there would be no more wars?"

"Well," his mum chuckled, "it's not that simple. But playing games like football teaches us important lessons about working together and understanding each other. If people everywhere learned to solve their problems like that, the world would be a much happier place."

Timmy thought about this. He remembered how he and his friends sometimes argued about the rules or who got to be the captain. But in the end, they always found a way to get back to the game and have fun together.

That evening, Timmy gathered his friends and shared his mum's idea. "What if we could teach everyone to play football instead of fighting?" he asked.

His friend Sarah nodded excitedly. "We could start by inviting everyone in our town to play with us!"

So, the children organised a big football game in the park and invited everyone they knew. Parents, teachers, and even the mayor came to watch and play. The game was full of laughter, teamwork, and new friendships. People from different neighbourhoods, who had never met before, were now cheering for each other and celebrating together.

News of the wonderful game spread, and soon other towns started organising their own football matches. Little by little, people began to see that working together and playing games was much better than arguing and fighting.

Timmy's town became famous for its big football games and friendly spirit. And whenever anyone asked why there were no more fights, Timmy would smile and say, "Because we all learned to play football together."

And from that day on, Timmy and his friends knew that the key to a happy world was as simple as a good game of football.

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Two Castles

Anna Atsu — Fri, 24 May 2024 13:25:09 GMT

Once upon a time in a little house, there lived a brother and sister named Sam and Sandra. Sam loved to read books about dinosaurs, while Sandra adored playing with her dolls. Sam thought dinosaurs were the coolest, and Sandra believed her dolls were the best toys in the world. They both had big imaginations, but they didn't always see things the same way.

One sunny morning, Sam and Sandra decided to build a castle out of blocks. Sam wanted the castle to have a tall tower, like the ones he read about in his dinosaur books. But Sandra thought the castle should have a big, beautiful garden for her dolls to play in. They argued and argued, each convinced their idea was the best.

"No, Sandra! The tower has to be tall so the dinosaurs can see far away!" Sam insisted.

"But Sam, the garden needs to be big so my dolls can have a picnic!" Sandra replied.

Their voices got louder and louder until their mom came into the room. "What's all this fuss about?" she asked.

"Sam doesn't understand that a castle needs a garden!" said Sandra, crossing her arms.

"And Sandra doesn't know that a castle needs a tall tower!" Sam added, frowning.

Their mom thought for a moment and then said, "Why don't you try to agree to disagree?"

Sam and Sandra looked at each other, puzzled. "Agree to disagree?" they asked.

"It means you both can have different opinions, and that's okay," their mom explained. "Instead of fighting, you can respect each other's ideas and find a way to work together."

Sam and Sandra thought about it. They didn't like fighting and wanted to enjoy building their castle. So, they made a pact: "Let's agree to disagree."

With that, they started building again. Sam built a tall tower on one side of the castle, and Sandra created a lovely garden on the other side. When they finished, they stepped back to admire their work. The castle looked amazing with its tall tower and beautiful garden. It was even better than they had imagined!

From that day on, they remembered their pact whenever Sam and Sandra had different opinions. They found ways to combine their ideas and create wonderful things together. And they learned that having different opinions is okay, as long as you respect each other and work as a team.

And so, Sam and Sandra lived happily ever after, in their little house, always finding new adventures and ways to agree to disagree.

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Different

Anna Atsu — Wed, 22 May 2024 08:15:59 GMT

Igor was different from the other boys his age. While everyone else loved playing computer games, Igor found no joy in them. Instead, he loved getting lost in the pages of books. He enjoyed adventures in faraway lands, discovering hidden treasures, and meeting magical creatures through the words on the pages.

Igor’s classmates couldn’t understand his passion for reading. They often laughed at him and teased him for not joining their gaming sessions. "Igor's afraid of games!" they would jeer. This made Igor feel sad and alone. To avoid the teasing, he spent more and more time in the library, surrounded by the comforting silence of books.

One rainy afternoon, while hiding in his favourite reading nook, Igor discovered an old, dusty book titled "The Brave Heart." As he opened the book, he was immediately drawn into the story of a young boy who overcame many challenges through courage and kindness.

Inspired by the boy's bravery, Igor decided that he wouldn’t let the boys’ laughter keep him from doing what he loved. He realised that being different wasn’t something to be ashamed of; it was something to embrace. The boy in the story was different too, and his unique qualities made him a hero.

The next day at school, Igor held his head high. During recess, when the boys teased him again, he took a deep breath and said, "I know I don’t like computer games, but I love reading. Books take me on amazing adventures. It’s okay to be different. It’s what makes us special."

The other boys were surprised by Igor’s confidence. They had never seen him stand up for himself before. One of the boys, Alex, who was the loudest of them all, walked up to Igor. "What kind of adventures?" he asked, curiosity replacing his usual smirk.

Igor’s eyes lit up as he began to describe the stories he loved. He spoke of brave boys and wise old owls. As he talked, more and more boys gathered around, listening intently. They had never realised how exciting books could be.

From that day on, things began to change. Some of the boys asked Igor to recommend books, and soon, a small group started meeting in the library to read together. Igor’s love for books spread, and he made new friends who appreciated his passion.

Igor learned that being different wasn’t a weakness; it was his strength. He found his courage, just like the young boy in the book, and discovered that standing up for who you are can inspire others to do the same.

And so, Igor’s world expanded beyond the pages of his books. He was no longer timid, and he realised that true bravery comes from embracing who you are, no matter what others might say. In the end, Igor taught his classmates an important lesson: being different is something to celebrate, not to fear.

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New Home

Anna Atsu — Mon, 20 May 2024 15:10:59 GMT

Once upon a time, a boy named Max and his mum lived in a small apartment on the top floor of a block tower. They had just moved to a new country where everyone spoke a language that sounded like a song Max didn’t know the words to.

While Mum was making dinner one evening, Max sat at the kitchen table with a puzzled look. He finally asked, "Mum, why do we need to live here if we don't even understand the language?"

Mum smiled warmly and sat down next to Max. "That's a good question, Max. We moved here because it's a place where we can feel safe and happy. It's a big adventure!"

Max frowned. "But it's so hard to understand what people are saying. What if I can never learn it?"

Mum gently took Max’s hand. "Learning a new language is like climbing a tall mountain. It can seem hard at first, but with each step, you get closer to the top. And guess what? You don't have to climb it alone."

Max’s eyes widened. "I don’t?"

"No, my dear," Mum continued. "We have each other, and we can take small steps together. We can learn words one by one, just like building with your toy blocks."

Max thought about his toy blocks and how he always built tall towers with them. "I like building towers," he said.

Mum nodded. "See? It's just like that. Each new word is like a block, and soon you'll have a tower of words that you can use to talk to new friends."

Max felt a little better. "But what if I make mistakes?"

Mum hugged him tight. "Everyone makes mistakes, Max. It’s how we learn. The important thing is to keep trying and not be afraid. Remember, I’m here with you every step of the way."

Max smiled. "Okay, Mum. Let's start building our word tower together."

From that day on, Max and his mum practised new words every day. They watched cartoons in the new language, sang songs, and even made up silly games. Slowly but surely, Max's tower of words grew taller and taller.

And so, Max discovered that their new home, with its new language, was not so scary after all. It was a place where he could feel safe and happy, especially because he had his mum by his side.

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Olga's Teddy

Anna Atsu — Fri, 17 May 2024 05:39:12 GMT

Olga was a little girl with a favourite toy, a soft, cuddly teddy bear named Mr. Snuggles. They were inseparable. Olga would take Mr. Snuggles with her everywhere she went, whether it was to the park, to school, or even just to the kitchen for a snack.

One bright and sunny morning, Olga woke up with a big smile on her face, ready to start her day with Mr. Snuggles by her side. But as she looked around her room, she couldn't find her beloved teddy bear anywhere. Olga's smile turned into a frown, and her heart sank. Where could Mr. Snuggles be?

Olga searched high and low, under her bed, behind the curtains, and even in the toy chest, but there was no sign of Mr. Snuggles. Tears welled up in Olga's eyes as she began to worry that she might never find her favourite toy again.

But then, Olga remembered something her grandma had once told her. "When things don't go as planned, don't give up, my dear," Grandma had said with a warm smile. "Sometimes, the greatest adventures begin when we least expect them."

Determined not to give up, Olga wiped away her tears and decided to search outside. She combed through the garden, peeked into the bushes, and even checked the neighbour's yard. When she was about to lose hope, she spotted a familiar fluffy shape resting among the flowers.

With a squeal of joy, Olga rushed over and scooped up Mr. Snuggles in her arms. He was a little dusty and had a few petals stuck to his fur, but he was safe and sound. Olga hugged her teddy bear tightly, feeling a surge of happiness and relief wash over her.

As Olga skipped back home with Mr. Snuggles in tow, she realised something important. Sometimes, things may not go as planned, and we might face obstacles along the way. But with a little resilience, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

From that day on, Olga cherished her time with Mr. Snuggles even more, knowing that their bond was stronger than any obstacle they might encounter. And whenever she faced a difficult situation, she would remember Grandma's wise words and persevere with a smile on her face, just like she did on the day she found her favourite toy.