Children's Chapter Books

Children's Chapter Books
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Obedience 7

Max whined. Ahhh! I want to!

His mom bent her neck to look into his eyes. “You need to obey. There are dangers and I cannot see you from here. Now go to sleep.”

Max was angry. It’s not fair. I should be able to sleep under that bush if I want. I’ll wait until she’s asleep. He smiled to himself, shut his eyes, and pretended to drift off. To Max, it felt like forever as he waited until he was sure his mom slept.

As quietly as his long gangly legs would allow, he uncurled and moved toward the far end of the clearing. Tiptoeing was impossible for a giraffe because they had no toes just rounded hooves. He was grateful the soft sand muffled his steps.

The bush was inviting with low hanging branches filled with sweet smelling flowers. Max got down on all fours and pulled his way under the bush, careful not to snag any limbs which might snap.  After he was comfortable, he inhaled the sweet fragrance. The wind was blocked and the bouquet around him soothed his senses.  This is a wonderful place to sleep.

Soon, his breathing was regular and he was in dreamland. Later without his knowing, a snake slithered toward him.

The python smelled Max and slowly started winding himself around him. It took a few hours to wrap Max in his leathery coolness. The sun was just coming up when he started to squeeze. Max woke with a start.

Max took a deep breath but remembered what his mom had said about snakes. “Don’t exhale because the snake will tighten further.”

I hope I can hold my breath until help comes!

Max held his chest tight with air and managed a squeak, “Help!”

He could make out the form of his mom far away and knew she would never hear him. He remembered not to struggle because that would make the python tighten faster. Max realized his mom had lovingly taught him many things.

A hawk had just finished his nightly hunting when his super eyesight caught a glimpse of a giraffe in the clutches of a snake. He had been trying to catch that particular snake for a long time. He screeched and dove at the python.

The hawk landed on its neck and pecked at an eye. Then the hawk took a hunk out of the snake’s flesh with his strong beak. The hawk took off making a racket which brought other animals to the scene.
Max’s mom saw he was about to be squeezed to death and jumped on the part of the tail end of the snake not wrapped around her son. The snake looked back loosening his grip and that is when she jumped on his head. The snake was more worried about getting his head smashed then squeezing his prey.

Max’s mom did not get off the pythons head until she was sure it was dead. The hawk came back and together they were able to loosen the snake from around Max.


Max was not hurt, just frightened. He snuggled up to his mom and with a dry raspy voice said, “I’m sorry Mom. I should have obeyed you. I thought you were silly not letting me sleep under the bush. I realize you know more than I do. I promise I’ll stay near you especially at night.”

“I’m glad you understand. I tell you what to do and what not to do for a reason. You may not understand my reason and you may not agree, but you need to obey.”

“Yes, Mom.”

The hawk tried to take the snake up into the air but it was too big. The hawk and giraffe worked together to get the huge python out and away from the bush. The hawk pulled and the giraffe kicked until it was well away. Many other birds helped take the snake apart to feed their young.


What a scary way to learn to obey. Max didn’t obey and could have been killed. Your parents have a responsibility to protect you and your responsibility is to obey them. When our parents and other authority gives us rules or tells us to do or not to do something, we need to obey. We should obey right then. You may not understand nor even agree but your job is to obey. There are laws and rules put in place that adults need to obey too.

The Lord tells us in His word to obey authority. Children need to obey their parents. Employees need to obey their bosses. We all need to obey the government. God wants us to obey Him. The Lord may tell you to do something and you may not understand why, but you need to obey.

Memorize one or both verses: Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated













2 comments:

  1. Oh, I love this story. Unfortunately so many children and young adults think that their parents and authority figures know nothing. They don't see the sense of listening to wisdom! Well done! I saw this post through our FB friendship! I'll share it there! Be blessed! Keep writing!

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  2. Praise Jesus! Thank you for taking the time to read and encourage!

    ReplyDelete