What Is Owlo Thankful For?

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Koko

Owlo! Owlo! I made something for you at home last night.

O

Owlo

Oh my goodness, Koko! Come in, come in. What did you make?

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Koko

I drew you a picture. It has you and me and the big oak tree outside the school.

O

Owlo

Koko, this is absolutely wonderful. I am going to put it right here on my desk where I can always see it.

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Koko

I made it because my mom said we should think about things we are thankful for. She said it makes your heart feel warm.

O

Owlo

Your mom is very wise, Koko. That word, thankful, is a beautiful one. Do you know what it means to be thankful?

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Koko

I think it means you are happy about something? Like when I get a cookie and I say thank you?

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Owlo

That is a wonderful start. Being thankful means you notice something good in your life, and you feel glad it is there.

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Koko

Oh! So what are YOU thankful for, Owlo?

O

Owlo

What a lovely question. I have been thinking about that a lot lately, actually. Shall we sit by the garden and talk about it?

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Koko

Yes please! Can I bring my juice?

O

Owlo

Of course you can. Let us go.

O

Owlo

Ahh, just listen to that. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming. I am thankful for mornings like this one.

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Koko

Me too! The garden smells really nice today. Like flowers and rain at the same time.

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Owlo

That smell after rain has a name, Koko. It is called petrichor. Is that not a wonderful word?

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Koko

Petri-kor. That is a funny word. I like it though.

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Owlo

I am also thankful for words like that. Words that help us describe the world around us. Language is a true gift.

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Koko

What else are you thankful for, Owlo?

O

Owlo

I am thankful for curious students like you, Koko. Every time you ask a question, it reminds me how magical learning is.

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Koko

Really? You are thankful for ME?

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Owlo

More than you know, little one. You make every single day at this school brighter and more joyful.

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Koko

That makes MY heart feel warm. Just like mom said it would.

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Owlo

You see, being thankful is not just about big things. It is about noticing the small, quiet things too.

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Koko

Like the petri-kor smell? And drawings on your desk?

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Owlo

Exactly like those things. And kind moms who teach their children to have a grateful heart.

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Koko

I am going to tell my mom she is in your thankful list.

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Owlo

I think she would love to hear that. Now, can you tell me, what are some things YOU are thankful for today?

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Koko

Hmm. I am thankful for this juice. And the garden. And you, Owlo. And my mom and dad. And my drawing pencils.

O

Owlo

That is a beautiful list, Koko. You are already very good at this.

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Koko

It does feel nice. Like a happy feeling in my tummy.

O

Owlo

That happy feeling is exactly what thankfulness does. It helps us see all the good things already around us.

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Koko

So today I learned that being thankful means noticing the good things in your life and feeling glad they are there. It can be big things, like your family, or small things, like a nice smell after rain. And when you feel thankful, it makes your heart and your tummy feel warm and happy. Next time I want to find out if there is a special word for the smell of flowers too, because I really like that smell in the garden.

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