When your child says “tell me a bedtime story,” share this short sweet tale about Candace, a little girl who loved birthday parties but needed to learn an important lesson. At her birthday celebration, a wise old Gnome appears in her garden and shares a magical story that teaches Candace and her friends about the importance of listening to one another. Through the Gnome’s gentle guidance, Candace discovers that paying attention to her friends’ stories creates a special kind of magic that makes everyone feel valued and loved.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Candace who loved to have birthday parties. She had many friends and always wanted them to have lots of fun.
At her parties, Candace would run around, making sure everyone was happy. But sometimes, she forgot to listen to her friends’ stories.
On her birthday, a wise old Gnome appeared in her garden. He told Candace and her friends a special story about a girl named Melody who had magical listening ears.
Melody always paid attention to her friends and made them feel loved. The Gnome said that listening is like sprinkling magic dust on someone’s words.
Candace started playing a fun new game: listening to her friends’ stories! She found that paying attention to their tales made her feel happy and connected to them.
That very day, when her friend Theo started telling about the time he found a caterpillar in his garden, Candace sat down next to him and looked right at his eyes. Usually, she would have rushed off to get more cake, but this time she stayed. She asked Theo questions and giggled when he made the caterpillar wiggle with his fingers. Theo’s face lit up with the biggest smile. “You really listened to my whole story, Candace!” he said, giving her a hug. Candace felt a warm glow inside—it was the magic of being a good friend.
The Gnome disappeared, and Candace’s party became even more magical. She and her friends learned that the best gift they could give each other was to listen and be kind.
An adaptation of THE BAD MANNERS OF POLITE PEOPLE from Penguin Persons & Peppermints by Walter Prichard Eaton
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