On a bustling farm, there was a horse named Harold who just didn’t like to work. While the cows gave milk, the chickens laid eggs, and the sheep provided wool, Harold spent his days standing in the shade, lazily munching on hay.

The farmer grew frustrated. “Harold, you need to help around the farm!” he said. But Harold would just shrug and go back to doing nothing.

One day, the farmer had enough. “If Harold won’t work, I’ll sell him to someone who can make him useful,” the farmer decided.

When Harold overheard this, his ears perked up. “Sell me? No way!” he thought. The idea of leaving his comfortable farm scared him. The next morning, Harold surprised everyone. He pulled the plow, carried hay bales, and even helped deliver goods to the market.

The farmer watched, pleased. “Now, Harold, this is the hard work you should have been doing all along!” Harold nodded, realizing that waiting for trouble to come wasn’t a smart idea. From then on, Harold worked hard every day, knowing it was better to act before it was too late.

Moral:

Don’t wait for consequences to take action—start doing the right thing today.

Parenting Tip: Use Harold’s story to teach the importance of responsibility. Discuss how being proactive and doing the right thing early on can prevent bigger problems later.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why do you think Harold didn’t want to work at first?
• How do you think the other animals felt about Harold not helping?
• What would you have said to Harold to encourage him to work?
• How did Harold’s life improve when he started working hard?
• What chores or tasks do you help with at home?
• If you were Harold’s farmer, what job would you give him?
• What lesson do you think Harold learned from this experience?

Did You Know? Fun Horse Facts!

1. Horses can sleep standing up thanks to a special locking system in their legs!
2. A horse’s hooves are made of keratin—the same material as human fingernails.
3. Horses have nearly 360-degree vision, but they can’t see directly in front of or behind them.
4. Horses are social animals that live in groups called herds. They form close bonds with each other.
5. They can run shortly after birth and are known for their incredible speed and endurance.
6. Horses communicate using facial expressions, ears, and body language.
7. The average horse can drink up to 10 gallons of water a day!
8. Horses have been helping humans for over 5,000 years, from farming to transportation.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!