(Story taken from, No One Will Ever Know, by Carl Sommer)

"Some adults still suffer because they never learned to come under subjection to their parents..."

"You need to trust them," explained Mr. Owl. You will find it's always best to obey."

"Why do you kids stay here eating those small acorns?" yapped the big squirrels rather roughly. "We know a special place that has the biggest and most delicious acorns you have ever tasted."

Then one of them pulled out a giant acorn.

"Wow!" said the young squirrels. Acorns were their favorite food.

"Whew-wee!" Johnny yelled. "That's the biggest acorn I've ever seen! Where did you find it?"

"Across the meadow and over the fence on Mr. Smith's farm," answered the oldest squirrel.

Johnny moaned. "We can't go there."

"Why not?" asked the big squirrels. "No one will ever know."

Janie spoke up. "Dad and Mom say it's dangerous. They say a big, bad wolf might get us."

"Go ahead!" teased the older squirrels. "Stay in your little yard and eat your tiny acorns."

They rubbed their tummies and laughed, "We'll be at Mr. Smith's farm eating those big, delicious acorns!"

With a bounce they hurried off.

Johnny wanted to be like the older squirrels. He spun his cap around and said to Janie, "Why don't we go there just once?"

"And disobey Dad and Mom?" Janie asked. "That's not right!"

"If we don't tell anyone," Johnny argued, "no one will ever know!"

Johnny won the argument, and he, his sister Janie, and their two friends, Teddy and Tammy, started making plans to go to Mr. Smith's farm.

From then on they were full of excitement about all the fun that they were going to have. In spite of their parents' warnings, they made elaborate plans to sneak out of the house after their parents were sound asleep. As they walked through the woods, they could only think of fun-fun-fun. But they were going to experience the surprise of their lives.

They made their fateful decision when they decided to listen to their friends instead of their parents. Many people's lives are ruined because when were young they refused to listen to the wise counsel of their parents; instead, they followed the popularity of the crowd.

Some adults still suffer because they never learned to come under subjection to their parents; now, on their job, they can't get ahead. They have never mastered being teachable - which is one of the most important character attributes for leadership. Others always complain when they have work to do - these complainers will never become successful. Others always look over their shoulder to make sure that they never have to do more work than anyone else. Who would want to work with someone possessing that kind of nature, or who would make them a leader?

Well, the squirrels got their wish -they filled their tummies with the most delicious acorns that they had ever eaten. They were whooping and hollering while they were eating their delicious acorns, but their joyful noise stirred someone from his sleep - the big, bad wolf. And he began to chase them.

"W-w-wolf!" Janie yelled. "The big, bad wolf!"

Off they ran, as fast as their little legs could take them-which was not very fast since their tummies were so full.

The squirrels scattered in four directions. Since the wolf could not chase all of them, he ran after the closest one, Johnny!

Johnny ran as fast as he could, but tonight the wolf was faster. Johnny ran toward the nearest tree. The wolf drew closer and closer.

Johnny almost made it. But just as he reached the tree, the wolf jumped at Johnny with his big jaws open wide.

"O-u-c-h!" screamed Johnny when the wolf bit off his tail.

Johnny escaped up the tree, and his father rescued him. While his mom was bandaging his tail, Johnny groaned, "Ohhh! If only I had run faster, this never would have happened."

"No, Johnny," said Dad. "If only you had listened to us, this never would have happened."

But Johnny still was not listening. He was mad at himself for not running faster.

Mr. Wise Owl came to visit Johnny. "I'm sorry to hear what happened," he said.

"Well," mumbled Johnny, "that's one time I should have listened to my dad and mom."

"Johnny," answered the wise owl, "you should always listen to your dad and mom. They love you and they know what's best for you."

"You need to trust them," explained Mr. Owl. "You will find it's always best to obey."

"Johnny thought for a while. Suddenly his eyes lit up. "Now I understand! If I trust them, then it only makes sense to obey!"

Who are you listening to? The Bible has a very strong statement about this. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." (Ephesians 6.1). The Bible doesn't say, "Children obey your parents in some things." It means, "in all things." Wise are those children who willing come under this wise command. Many a child's future success or failure will be determined by how he or she responds to that command.

How many problems adults could have avoided if only they would have listened to their parents when they were a child-but for many of them, it's too late. Just as in this story, Johnny was the fastest squirrel; but now with his short tail he became the slowest. Never again could he race through the trees like the other squirrels.

Johnny's forest friends came to see him. He told them all about the big, bad wolf. When he was finished, he pointed to this short tail and said, "I was foolish for listening to others."

From then on Johnny listened to Dad and Mom. And in spite of his shot tail, he became a very happy squirrel. And most of all, he was glad to learn: To disobey is wrong, even when you think no one will ever know.

Carl Sommer, a popular children's author, writes books on virtues, stressing the importance of good character. A devoted educator who has a passion for communicating values and practical learning skills to students, Carl is dedicated to enabling young people to be successful in their personal lives and in their work. Sommer served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and at age 40 became a New York City public high school teacher. Carl offers his book he wrote, "Schools in Crisis: Training for Success or Failure?" at NO CHARGE on his website, www.advancepublishing.com. Author of 18 + books, Carl has appeared on radio and television programs, including Oprah Winfrey's show. He also taught students at Prague University, Czech Republic. Happily married since 1955, Sommer has five children and eleven grandchildren. Readers can go to www.advancepublishing.com/homeschool and purchase these award-winning book for up to 30 percent off of list price. carlsommer@advancepublishing.com is where you can reach him to discuss his excellent books!