Children's Story Time: "No's Are Not Fun!"

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Haynes. Haynes loved to play and have fun, but sometimes she did things she wasn't supposed to do. Like one day, she tried to ride on the back of her great big dog named MawMaw.

"No No, Haynes!" her mom shouted. "That's not safe! Don't ride Maw Maw, you might get hurt!"

Haynes didn't want to stop riding Maw Maw. She was having fun, but her mom's voice made her feel sad.

"Why can't I ride my Maw Maw?" Haynes asked.

"Because it's not safe," her mom, Julie, replied.

Haynes  didn't understand why her mom always said no. She thought "NO's are NOT fun".

The next day, Haynes went to her friend Emma's house. Emma had a jar of cookies on the kitchen counter.

"Can I have a cookie?" Haynes asked.

"No, sorry," Emma's mom said. "We're saving them for later."

Haynes felt disappointed. She thought "NO's are NOT fun"

Later that day, Hayne's dad, Alex, took her to the store to shop for things for their house and passed by the toy aisle. Haynes loved playing in the toy aisle and Haynes and her dad had so much fun!

"Can I have this toy, please?" Haynes asked.

"No, not today," her dad said. "Maybe next time."

Hayne's felt sad. She thought "NO's are NOT fun".

But then, something amazing happened. Haynes's dad took her to a park with a huge slide. She climbed up the ladder and slid down the slide, again and again. She laughed and giggled, having so much fun.

"Haynes," her dad said, "I'm so proud of you for following my rules and being safe. That's why we could come to this fun park."

That night at her bedtime prayers, little Haynes prayed and she thought "NO's are NOT fun"

But she also remembered that she had a lot of fun with her mom and dad that day. And she thought and thought and thought about it.

Haynes realized that sometimes, no's were not fun. But they were important to keep her safe and to make sure she had even more fun later. From that day on, Hayne's  tried her best to follow the rules and listen to her parents, even if it meant hearing a few no's along the way.

And whenever Haynes felt disappointed, she reminded herself that sometimes, no's were necessary to having a happy and safe life.

No's are still no fun... but they help us. And the Bible promises happiness when we obey our parents and others who are older and care about us.

Original artwork by BCS student, Cole Weaver

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3] “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” [4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1–4 ESV)