One bright morning in a sunny village, a cheerful milkmaid was on her way to the market, carrying a shiny pail full of fresh milk. As she walked along the path, the milkmaid’s mind started to wander. “When I sell this milk, I’ll have enough money to buy a beautiful new dress,” she thought happily.

She imagined herself wearing the dress at the village fair. “Everyone will admire me, and then I’ll save enough money to buy even more wonderful things!” Her smile grew wider as she dreamed bigger and bigger.

But while she was lost in her daydreams, the milk in her pail began to slosh and spill over. Without realizing it, she was walking faster and less carefully. Suddenly, she glanced down and gasped—her pail was empty! All the milk was gone, spilled on the ground.

The milkmaid sat down, feeling heartbroken. “All my dreams are gone,” she whispered sadly. She realized that dreaming about the future is fine, but she needed to stay focused on the present.

Moral:

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your child to dream big but also teach them the importance of staying present and careful with the tasks at hand. Balance is key to success.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why was the milkmaid so excited about selling her milk?
• What did she imagine buying with the money she would earn?
• How did the milk spill out of her pail?
• If you were the milkmaid, how would you carry the milk more carefully?
• Why do you think the milkmaid felt so sad after spilling the milk?
• What does the phrase “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” mean?
• Can you think of a time when you were excited about something but needed to be patient?
• How do you balance dreaming about the future and staying focused on the present?

Did You Know? Fun Milk and Dairy Facts!

1. Milk is one of the oldest foods: Humans have been drinking milk for over 8,000 years!
2. Cows produce a lot of milk: A single cow can give up to 6 gallons of milk a day.
3. Milkmaids in history: Long ago, milkmaids were known for their skill in handling cows and were considered strong and hardworking.
4. Milk helps keep bones strong: It’s full of calcium, which is great for growing kids.
5. Churning milk makes butter: The milkmaid might have also made butter before heading to the market!
6. Fresh milk was a luxury: In some villages, milk was considered very valuable and carefully stored.
7. Pails were made of wood or metal: Milkmaids often used shiny pails that reflected sunlight, just like the one in the story.
8. Dairy fairs were common: In history, markets often had special sections just for selling milk and dairy products.

Activity Idea:

“Dream Big, Plan Well” Game

• What You’ll Need: A small bucket or bowl, some small items (e.g., blocks or balls), and a timer.
• How to Play: Pretend to be a milkmaid! Walk around with the bucket full of “milk” (the small items) on your head or in your hands. Try not to spill as you complete a task, like going to a “market” (another spot in the room).
• Purpose: Helps children practice focus and careful movement while having fun.

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!