Pockets knew that the only way to save the world was to read and do his homework, just like his mother always told him.
“Son,” his mother would say, “if you keep reading and learning about things, when you grow up, you’ll be somebody important.”
So, Pockets wrote it down on a small piece of paper and tucked it into one of his many pockets, so he wouldn’t forget to always read and do his homework.
Years passed, and “Pockets” was older now. He could walk across the street by himself for the first time, a big milestone in his life. His mother was so busy making dinner, and she asked him to go to the store to get some cake for dessert.
Excited, Pockets set off on his little adventure. But when he got to the street, he was surprised to see so many cars zooming back and forth.
“Hmm… How do I get to the store?” Pockets wondered aloud. “Maybe we won’t have dessert tonight if I can’t get across.”
He looked around, feeling a little nervous. Then, in the distance, he saw a flashing sign with bright lights and the words: “WALK.” All the cars had stopped moving, and Pockets felt a sense of relief.
With a deep breath, Pockets sprinted across the street. The moment he stepped onto the sidewalk, he thought, Why did I run when the sign said to walk? I didn’t want to get hit by a car. Did I do the right thing? What was I supposed to do and why?
After buying the cake, Pockets returned home. He sat down to think, unsure of what he had done.
His mother saw the confused look on his face. “What’s wrong, Pockets?” she asked.
“I’m not sure if I made the right decision, Mom. The sign said to walk, but I ran. Was that okay?” Pockets asked, his mind racing.
His mother smiled kindly, her eyes sparkling. “Well, Pockets,” she said softly, “sometimes, even when we have rules to follow, it’s important to use our own judgment, especially when it comes to our safety. The sign said walk, but you knew that running could get you across quicker and safer. You used your head, and you didn’t let the cars rush you.”
Pockets nodded, understanding. “So, doing the right thing is about knowing when to follow the rules and when to think for myself?” he asked.
“Exactly,” his mother said, hugging him. “And just like you keep your homework in your pocket so you won’t forget, remember to always carry your lessons with you. The world can be full of choices, but the best ones come from learning and thinking.”
That night, after dinner, Pockets went to his room to do his homework. He pulled the little piece of paper out of his pocket and smiled, knowing that every lesson he learned—whether at school or on the street—was helping him grow into someone important.
Moral of the Story: Always keep learning, use your judgment, and remember that doing the right thing sometimes means thinking for yourself and being safe.