Oliver's New Yo-Yo: A Lesson in Helping

from the Oliver the Octopus Music Theory Arcade




Stories of Virtue

Children's moral stories encourage children remember lessons and build virtues that they will help them throughout their lives. The stories center around characters that encounter challenges and the right or wrong choices they make when faced with these challenges. The Boy Who Cried Wolf helps them remember the importance of being honest. King Midas is a tale of wisdom and riches, and teaches children about being content with what we have. In this story Oliver from the MakingMusicFun.net Music Theory Arcade teaches us that nothing matters more than caring for others and helping them whenever you can.


Oliver's New Yo-Yo: A Lesson in Helping

by Andrew Fling

Whether Winter or Spring, never mind the season,
Oliver had no time for helping, whatever the reason.

It could be his hat was two sizes too small,
Or his head had been hit by a big rubber ball.

Whatever the reason, the hat or the ball,
He had no time for helping. No, not at all.

He sat in his room on that very bright day,
With the sourest of frowns, he had wanted to play.

He stared at his toys, though it wasn't to play.
His mother had asked him to put them away.

He looked and he thought, and he thought and he looked,
Until finally, finally, he picked up a book.

He picked up his pop-gun, his skates, and the like,
And wheeled to the corner his prized three-wheeled trike.

Then with his pogo stick, with stripes which are blue,
After bouncing awhile, he picked it up too.

When Oliver was finished, he looked all around.
Not a toy out of place. Not one to be found.

"I must find a way to stop all this bother,
While still pleasing friends, and father and mother.

I've no time for helping, I think that it's yucky.
I'd rather play in the tub, with my rubber ducky."

So he thought up a plan, he reasoned was good.
At least it was good, as he understood.

"I'll start today, learning to throw,
My brand new Atomic Super Whiz-Bang Yo-Yo.

I'll practice each day, beginning to end.
And I'll try my best, to learn all I can.

My spins will amaze, and my loops will delight,
Everyone who sees them, will exclaim 'Out of Sight'.

I'll do them so well that no one will mind,
I spend my whole day, all the day with playtime."

So Oliver did just that.

He practiced, and practiced, and practiced some more,
And each day his skills grew better than before.

He practiced his loops until he was loopy,
And spins 'til he felt a little bit droopy.

Once Oliver knew all he needed to know,
He knew it was time to put on a show.

He told all his friends he had something to share,
A surprise that would be beyond all compare.

He began with a trick most every one knew,
One they would like and simple to do.

He covered the basics, like Walking-the-Dog,
And showed them a new one which he called Leap Frog.

He followed with others, impressive to see,
And watched Mom and Dad increasing with glee.

Thinking not a better trick could be cast,
Oliver had saved the best trick for last.

"Thank you for coming. I won't keep you late.
It's time for my last trick, The Super-Loop-Eight."

Not a sound could be heard except for the clock,
Which seemed to grow louder as it TICK, TICK, TICK, TOCKED.

With the greatest of speed, the Yo-Yo took flight,
Leaving behind a bold streak of light.

Those who were there, observing the flight,
Recall just a flash which was ever so bright.

Back like a boomerang like lightning it flew,
Followed by bubbles, a thousand or two.

Without coming to rest, it flew out again,
On an opposite path toward a similar end.

Taking the path of a large figure eight,
The Yo-Yo flew true and ever so straight.

When finally it came to rest in his hand,
Oliver was assured the success of his plan.

Cheers and whistles began and they grew.
Even streamers were counted, one hundred or two.

Everyone praised him as they went their way,
Though his mother said something that added dismay.

"Wonderful Oliver," his mother said,
"Now hurry home, you have chores before bed."

Then without pausing, even a moment or two,
Oliver let out a great big, "BOO-HOO!"

Nothing had happened. Nothing had changed.
None of this nonsense was rearranged.

This puzzled Oliver. So he stopped for a moment to think.

When his thinker had thunk all that it could,
A thought came to mind he finally understood.

My mother told me, if I want to be cool,
I can't be ignoring God's Golden Rule.

To do unto others as they've done for me,
Is the best plan for all in this big blue sea.

With Yo-Yo in hand swimming fast as he could,
He went home to help however he should.

He realized God's gift, and what it was for,
What made him special, what He had in store.

Whatever the need, Whether small, Whether great,
He'd lend a hand, After all … he has EIGHT.