A story about peace.

All around us there are things that cause us to worry. We might feel angry or sad or hopeless. This little story is a reminder that by keeping our eyes on God and God’s promises, we can have peace. You can hear the story by following the link, or read the script below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkTvhc3VggA

This video was recorded for part of a May 24, 2020 online worship service at my church.

A bunny named Benny who is afraid of his shadow seeks help from his friends. Finally, Giraffe tells Benny that if he keeps his eyes up, he won’t even notice his shadow and he won’t need to be afraid.

Once there was a little bunny named Benny. Benny the Bunny lived in a field near the zoo. He hopped around all day making friends with the other animals. But Benny had a big problem. He was scared of his shadow. And he just couldn’t get rid of it! Benny’s shadow followed him everywhere he went.

One day, Benny went to his friend Turtle and said, “I’m so afraid of my shadow! What can I do?”

The turtle answered, “Whenever I’m afraid of something, I just pull my head into my shell until it goes away. If I don’t see it, I can pretend it isn’t there. It’s true I can’t go anywhere or do anything while my head is in my shell, but at least I’m not afraid.”

But Benny said, “I don’t have a shell! And besides, if I did, the shadow would still be there when I came out.”

Benny went to see his friend Zebra and said, “I’m afraid of my shadow! What can I do?”

Zebra said, “When I’m afraid of something, I run as fast as I can until I am far away from it.”

Benny answered, “I can hop really fast, but my shadow is just as fast as I am. I can’t outrun my shadow. It stays with me.”

Then Benny went to see his friend Lion and said, “I am scared of my shadow. Can you tell me what I should do?”

Lion said, “I’m not afraid of anything, but if I was, I would roar really loudly until it went away.”

Benny said quietly, “But I’m a bunny. And bunnies can’t roar.” Benny went away sadly, his shadow still following him.

Then Benny found his friend Giraffe and said, “I’m afraid of my shadow, and I just don’t know what to do.”

Giraffe thought for a moment and then said, “When I’m looking up at the leaves on the top of the trees, I don’t even think about my shadow. When I look up instead of down, my shadow doesn’t scare me. Keep looking toward the light, and you won’t even notice your shadow.”

Benny thought that was pretty good advice, and he decided to try it. Benny learned that if he kept his eyes up instead of down, he wouldn’t worry about his shadow anymore.

I think Giraffe’s advice might help us learn how to live as Christians. Sometimes there are things that scare us. There might be some worries that seem to follow us around, even if we try to ignore them or run away or get loud and angry.

But if we turn to God, if we turn our thoughts to our hope in Jesus, we can have joy instead of fear, hope instead of worry.

So don’t look down. Don’t look back. Remember to look to Jesus. And have hope and joy instead of fear.

Questions:

What was Benny afraid of?

1. the fox
2. the children
3. his shadow

When Turtle was afraid, what did he do?

1. pull his head inside his shell
2. cry
3. eat something

When Zebra was afraid, what did she do?

1. freeze in place
2. run away fast
3. pretend the scary thing wasn’t there

When Lion was afraid, what did he do?

1. pretend he was asleep
2. climb a tree
3. roar really loudly

What advice did Giraffe tell Benny?

1. Look up instead of down.
2. If you look toward the light you won’t see your shadow.
3. 1 and 2

What can this story teach us?

1. If we think about God, we might not notice what worried us.
2. Eating leaves will make your shadow go away.
3. When we stay focused on our faith in Jesus, we can have joy instead of fear.
4. 1 and 3

(Answers: 3, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27, New International Version (NIV)