Helping Makes Us Happy!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

“School’s out! What do I want to do?” Hannah Hippo asked.

She thought about ice cream. She thought about cupcakes. She thought about toys and laughing.

Hannah jumped. She squealed. She splashed and flipped in the water. Then she got tired and flopped on the bank.

Harold Hippo waddled over.“What are you doing, Hannah?” he asked.

“I want to have fun this summer,” Hannah said. “But too much food hurts my tummy. Too much playing makes me tired. Too much laughing makes my cheeks hurt!”

Harold sat beside her. “What makes you happy? What makes you sad?”

Hannah thought.“I’m happy when people are kind to me. I’m sad when they’re mean.”

Harold nodded. “Me too! You always make me happy when you’re kind.”

Hannah smiled. “I’ll be nice to you. Are you hot? I’m going to splash you!”

SPLASH! Hannah jumped into the water—and slipped on a rock.

“HELP!” she cried.

Harold jumped in fast. He scooped Hannah up with his big head.“Are you okay?”

“My foot hurts,” Hannah replied. “Now I feel sad.”

“But I helped you. Just like you helped me. When we help each other, it’s hard to stay sad.”

Hannah smiled again. “You’re right! Helping makes me happy. I know what I want to do this summer. Let’s help other hippos!”

“Let’s do it! Let’s be kind to everyone!”

Hannah ran off with Harold to find someone sad she could help. She forgot all about her hurting foot.

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Julie Hagel