The Changed Game Plan – Short Story Teaching Empathy

Puzzle Piece Forest was full of trees shaped like puzzle pieces that clicked together when the wind blew. Poko the Panda walked slowly along the path, spreading calmness with his kind smile. Bobo the Buffalo followed, steady and loyal. Tito the Toucan flew above them, asking curious questions about everything. Kip the Kangaroo hopped in circles, making everyone laugh with silly jumps.

“Let’s play a big jumping game at the clearing!” Kip said. “We’ll see who can leap over the puzzle logs.” Everyone agreed—until they reached the clearing.

There, they found a little deer sitting alone on a stump, one leg wrapped in a leaf bandage. Her eyes were shiny with tears.

Kip whispered, “Oh… I was about to start the jumping game.” Tito tilted his head. “If we play that game now, she can’t join.” Bobo stepped closer to the deer and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

“My leg hurts,” she said. “I can’t run or jump today. I don’t want to ruin your fun.” Poko sat beside her. “You’re not ruining anything. Your feelings matter too.”

Kip’s ears drooped a little. “I was excited about the jumping game… but it doesn’t feel right to leave you out.” Tito chirped, “We can change plans! Let’s make a sitting-down puzzle game instead.”

So they did. Poko gently slid puzzle-shaped leaves into patterns, Bobo helped hold pieces steady, Tito gave silly clues, and Kip used tiny hops to fetch new pieces nearby.

The little deer smiled for the first time that day. “Thanks for choosing a game I can play too.” Poko nodded softly. “That’s what empathy looks like—changing plans so no one feels alone.”