On a scorching summer day, a pigeon flew through the sky, desperate for a drink of water. She had been searching for hours, and her throat was dry. Suddenly, she spotted a tall pitcher below and felt a rush of hope. “Water!” she thought, swooping down eagerly.

In her excitement, however, she didn’t notice a low-hanging branch in her path. Before she could react, she flew straight into it, hitting her wing hard. The pigeon tumbled to the ground, groaning in pain. “Oh no, I was in such a hurry that I didn’t see the danger,” she said, wincing.

Sitting there with her aching wing, the pigeon realized she had acted too quickly, blinded by her desperation. From that day on, she promised to be more careful and to think before acting, no matter how thirsty or eager she might feel.

Moral:

Acting out of desperation can lead to mistakes.

Parenting Tip: Teach children the value of patience and mindfulness, especially during times of need or stress. Share how taking a moment to think through actions can prevent accidents or regrets, just like the pigeon learned in the story.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids:

• Why was the pigeon so desperate to get to the pitcher?
• What do you think the pigeon learned from her mistake?
• Have you ever been in such a hurry that you forgot to be careful? What happened?
• If you were the pigeon, what would you do differently next time?
• What are some other situations where thinking before acting can help?
• Why is it important to be mindful, even when we’re excited or in a rush?
• Can you think of a time when you were thirsty or hungry? How did you solve it?
• If you could help the pigeon, what advice would you give her about finding water safely?
• What other animals might face challenges like the pigeon’s?
• If you were the pitcher, how would you help thirsty animals?

Did You Know? Fun Animal Facts!

1. Pigeons can drink water without tilting their heads back. This ability, called suction drinking, is rare among birds!
2. Pigeons have excellent navigation skills. They use landmarks, the sun, and even Earth’s magnetic fields to find their way home.
3. Flying takes a lot of energy. Birds like pigeons need frequent water breaks to stay hydrated and healthy.
4. Branches can grow as much as a foot per year! That’s why forests are always changing, and animals must stay alert.
5. Pigeons have been used as messengers for centuries. They’ve delivered important notes and even helped in wartime!
6. Birds have different wing shapes depending on how they fly. Pigeons have broad wings, making them agile in tight spaces.
7. Some birds, like vultures, can go days without water. Pigeons, however, need it regularly because of their fast metabolism.
8. Thirsty birds often look for shiny surfaces. They think they’re water, which is why you might see them near glass or puddles.
9. Pigeons can fly at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. That’s as fast as some cars on the road!
10. A pigeon’s feathers are waterproof. This helps them stay dry when flying in the rain.
11. Pigeons have a great sense of smell. They can even use it to find food and navigate.
12. Birds have hollow bones, which makes flying easier by keeping them light and strong.
13. Pigeons can live up to 15 years in the wild. But many live shorter lives due to dangers in the city or nature.
14. Some birds, like the Arctic Tern, fly thousands of miles during migration. They travel farther than any other bird species!
15. Birds have a specialized part of their brain called the hippocampus, which helps them remember important locations, like where they’ve stored food.

Activity Idea

Mindful Problem Solving Game
Create a scenario where children must decide what to do when they feel rushed or excited. For example:

• “You’re thirsty, and there’s a glass of water on a high shelf. What do you do?”
• “You’re excited to play with a toy, but someone else is using it. What should you do?”

Let kids brainstorm careful and safe choices to help them practice thinking before acting.

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!