A story to learn good manners
Maryam Tells the Truth
Ages 4–103 min read🔊 2:01 to listen
Narration is computer-generated.
A story to learn good manners: Maryam is a girl in our story who has a tricky choice to make.
Maryam was playing ball in the living room. Bounce, bounce, bounce! Mama had told her many times: “Please play ball outside, sweetheart.” But it was raining, and Maryam wanted to play just one more time.
The ball bounced too high. Crash! Mama’s favourite flower pot fell off the windowsill. Soil spilled everywhere, and the pot broke into three pieces.
Maryam’s heart went thump, thump, thump. Then she saw Mittens, the family cat, sleeping on the sofa. “Maybe I could say Mittens did it,” thought Maryam. “Mittens cannot talk!”
Just then, Mama came in. “Oh no! What happened to my flower pot?” Maryam looked at Mittens. Then she looked at Mama. She remembered what her teacher had said in class: The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught that telling the truth leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise.
Maryam took a deep breath. “Mama, it was me,” she said quietly. “I played ball inside, and it knocked the pot down. I am sorry.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Mama knelt down and gave her a big hug. “Thank you for telling me the truth, Maryam. That was brave, and it makes me very proud.” “Pots can be fixed,” said Mama, “but trust is very precious.”
Together they swept up the soil, and they put the plant in a new pot. The plant was fine. It even looked happy in its new home! And from then on, Maryam played ball outside, in sha Allah, even when she really wanted to play inside.
That night, Maryam felt light and happy inside. Telling the truth had felt scary for a moment, but afterwards it felt wonderful. As she snuggled under her blanket, Mama kissed her forehead and whispered: “My honest girl.” Maryam smiled, and she fell fast asleep.
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The moral of the story
Always tell the truth, even when it is hard. Truthfulness leads to goodness, and Allah tells us to be with those who are truthful.
Talk about it
Questions for parents to ask after the story. There are no wrong answers; just listen and chat.
- Why did Maryam think about blaming Mittens?
- How did Maryam feel after she told the truth?
- Can you remember a time when telling the truth was hard?
Mini quiz
3 quick questions. Can you get 3 stars?
References
This is a made-up story to teach good manners; the children are not real. The value it teaches comes from:
We recommend reading Islamic stories with your child’s teacher, who can answer questions. Spotted something to improve? Let us know.