101 Healing Stories for Kids and Teens

by. Seeing the rabbit, the fox forgot about his easy breakfast and greedily thought, What luck, a rabbit
is bigger and tastier than a mouse. If I catch it, I will have enough food to last all day.
He raced after the rabbit and was just closing in to make his catch when a deer that had been grazing
nearby was startled and took flight. The fox greedily set his eyes on the deer. Despite feeling a little tired
from chasing the rabbit, he thought he still had a fair chance to catch the deer. What luck, he said to him-
self, a deer is bigger and better than a rabbit. Catch that and I can eat for a week without any more running around.
He had used so much energy chasing the rabbit that he started to lag behind the speedy deer, but
it didn’t seem to bother him because just then he saw a horse. He was tired. The horse was big and
fast but it didn’t deter the fox. What luck, with a horse I could eat for months without doing any work.
The horse didn’t even bother to run. With a couple of well-placed kicks, it would have smashed
the fox’s skull if the fox had not dodged in time. Deciding he was trying to bite off more than he
could chew, the fox thought, Oh, well, at least I can turn back and look for the deer, but it had disappeared
into the forest long ago.
Maybe it has to be rabbit, today, he thought, but by the time he got back the rabbit had long gone as well.
Mouse for breakfast, then, he muttered with disappointment and returned to the tree, expecting to
easily catch a sleeping mouse—but the noise of chasing the rabbit, deer, and horse had awakened the
mouse. It was gone!
The fox thought to himself, What a pity I didn’t take the opportunity that was available rather than try-
ing to chase something beyond my reach. Sad, he lay down under the tree and felt his empty tummy rolling
with hunger.

STORY 66

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

Therapeutic Characteristics

Problems Addressed

■ Carelessness

■ Lack of responsibility

■ Lack of forethought

Resources Developed

■ Facing the consequences of your actions

■ Taking responsibility

■ Building a sense of humor

■ Having forethought in your actions

■ Balancing responsibility and enjoyment

Outcomes Offered

■ Consideration of others

■ Carefulness

■ Responsibility

■ Enjoyment

DEVELOPING SKILLS

Developing Life Skills 163