"Hi, Grandpa Jake," Tristan said, as he stepped onto the porch. "I came to play down here. There is no place to play in my room."

"I can understand why there was no space. Your room is so messy that I could hardly open the door," said Grandpa Jake.

"Mom will clean it up later. I think she likes to clean things up," replied Tristan.

"Picking up after you can sometimes be a lot of work for your mother," said Grandpa Jake.

"Tristan, did you know that learning to clean up after yourself and being responsible is part of growing up?"

"But I don't like cleaning up. It takes me so long," said Tristan.

"I have a story that will help you understand the importance of being tidy and responsible," said Grandpa

Jake. "What do you say you clean up your toys first?"

"Okay, I'll do it," replied Tristan.

One day at school, Mr. Nuggin made an exciting announcement.

"Good morning, class! I hope you all had a good weekend."

"Yes, we did!" chorused the class.

"I've given each of your parents a chart to fill out this week. Each time you are responsible in your jobs, have good manners, and stay neat and tidy, they'll mark it on the chart.

"At the end of the week, the three dinosaurs that have the best marks will each get a prize."

Mr. Nuggin held up three prizes: a ball, a painting kit, and a red wagon.

Crispin's eyes lit up when he saw the wagon.

"Wow! That's what I want!"

As he made his way home from school, Crispin was so lost in thought about the wagon that he didn't realize that he was walking through mud puddles.

"Crispin! What is this?" asked Crispin's mother as he walked into the house.

"Oh, it's just mud, Mother. I'll wash it off later."

"But what about the chart Mr. Nuggin made? I can't give you a good mark if you don't clean up right away when you're all dirty."

The week went on and Crispin could not seem to keep himself clean. Crispin's room was a mess, his toys were scattered everywhere, and he was not diligent in his jobs.

On the last day of the contest, Crispin was late. The prizes had already been given away ... all except one, the red wagon!

"And the wagon goes to Wesley! He was neat, tidy, and responsible all week," said Mr. Nuggin.

It was a very sad little Crispin that made his way home that afternoon.

"I didn't win a prize at school today," said Crispin to his mother.

"I'm sorry, Crispin. I wasn't able to put any good marks on your chart. I tried to encourage you to pick up after yourself and keep clean, but you didn't pay any attention."

"But, Mother, it's so hard to be clean and neat," said Crispin.

"It is difficult, I know, but it's part of growing up, and it does get easier the more you do it," replied his mother.

"I have an idea," his mother continued. "Why don't we try again with the chart Mr. Nuggin made?"

"I'd like that, Mom! I'll do my best!" exclaimed Crispin.

Crispin did his best to stay neat and tidy. Then one evening his father brought home a surprise-a shiny red wagon! He gave it to Crispin as a reward for doing his jobs faithfully, keeping clean, and having good manners. Crispin was very happy! The wagon was just like the one Wesley had won.

"I want to do my best to be more neat and tidy, Grandpa," said Tristan.

"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Grandpa Jake. "I'm sure it will make your mother very happy!"

"I'll go upstairs and clean my bedroom now," said Tristan. "Mom will be surprised!"

Moral:

When people see that you are responsible, they are more likely to trust you with things, because they know you'll take good care of them.

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Copyright Aurora Productions. Used by permission.