This is a short story for Children Fiction Books, to show why the pot should not call the kettle black.
Brother Squirrel became the replacement newspaper boy when the regular guy broke his arm playing football. Hedgehog broke his front appendage when nobody thought it possible for him to do so.
“Yay! Its my chance to show I can be a Paper Boy too!” Brother Squirrel was overjoyed. He had been eyeing the job for ages. Brother Squirrel envied his buddy the Hedgehog.
The Hedgehog had an unfair advantage by being able to carry a large stack of newspapers on his back. The spines of the Hedgehog pierced the papers and acted like a pin tack. Hedgehog was fast as he drew each newspaper from his overhead load and tossed it to the door of each homeowner.
Sometimes, the newspaper got a bit roughed up but it was only the front page and nobody complained. So far, nobody found fault with Hedgehog and the paper delivery work was going great for him.
When Brother Squirrel took over Hedgehog’s paper route, he had to pull a wagon to carry his shift of newspapers.
“Boy! This sure is heavy,” Brother Squirrel panted and tugged at the pulling rope with all his might. It seemed the wagon got heavier as the pile of newspapers diminished and got lesser. As he got to the end of his paper route, Brother Squirrel could hardly wait to be relieved of his last load.
“Whew! I never thought I’d see the light of the day I would need a massage, back rub and some soothing analgesic balm. I thought only Grandpa and Grandma needed the anti-muscular ache ointments but now, I know better. My body feels like it’s a hundred years old!” Brother Squirrel thought to himself as he entertained himself with his thoughts running around his mind.
“I used to laugh at my grandparents when they used the snake oil and Tiger Balm. I used to call them old. Now, I feel like a pot who shouldn’t call the kettle black because I’m cut from the same material.”
“I think I know now why my teacher said that the pot shouldn’t call the kettle black. We are all in the same circumstances so we shouldn’t call others names. One day, we might face the same circumstances and experience the same terms.
“I promise to be more understanding and kind towards my elders.”
Brother Squirrel trudged along. The paper route was done and he felt relieved. Suddenly, he saw a familiar face on the road.
“Grandma Squirrel! “
“Why, hello, dear! You look pooped!”
“Yes, Grandma, I’ve been doing Hedgehog’s paper route.”
“So, I’ve heard. Would you like to come back with me for a cuppa Grandma’s tea? I’ve baked a batch of fresh biscuits to dip in tea.”
“Wow, that’s capital! Thanks, Grandma!” Brother Squirrel immediately perked up. His footsteps seemed lighter and he was quicker on his feet. Mmm, Brother Squirrel was already licking his lips, thinking of Grandma’s delicious biscuits that would crumble in his mouth and melt faster with a dip into tea. Brother Squirrel totally forgot about the aches in his body.
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