Tom Turkey was a big, noisy turkey whose feathers went every which way when he walked. Tina Turkey was just as noisy, but her clucking sounded a lot different than Tom’s. Both Tom and Tina wanted to be the turkey chosen for the Thanksgiving parade.
Tom thought he should be chosen because he had more feathers and could run faster. Tina thought she should be chosen because she knew where all the grain was kept, and had even stored some in her own nest.
There were only a few days left until the Thanksgiving parade and the noise in the field grew deafening. Both Tom and Tina were clucking as loudly as they could. The other turkeys were getting tired of the clamor! They were just hoping the farmer would arrive and make his choice. It was time for a little peace and quiet.
Finally, the day arrived. By this time every animal on the farm was watching to see which turkey the farmer would choose. Imagine everyone’s surprise when the farmer chose both turkeys for the Thanksgiving parade!
Tom and Tina were both chosen, but neither felt like a winner. They began to wonder who would get to ride in the highest spot on the float. Which turkey would the crowd cheer for most?
On Thanksgiving Day, the float was decorated with streamers, balloons, flowers and played loud parade music. Both Tom and Tina Turkey were brought to the float, but neither was given the highest position. Tom and Tina were placed in a prominent spot, but the farmer was the one who sat in the highest spot and received the cheers from the crowd.
Tom and Tina Turkey had worked hard to be chosen, and both of them had succeeded. But the farmer already knew that he would be sitting in the highest seat on the float and that he deserved the cheers sent his way. The clucking continued throughout the parade. The crowd couldn’t help but notice Tom and Tina, but they were most excited to see the farmer pass by.
Tom and Tina eventually returned to their place at the farm, but they didn’t cluck as loudly anymore and they never tried to win first place again. They had learned that only the farmer could have the highest spot on the float, because he was the only one who knew how to drive it.
The moral of the story: Don’t allow any noise at the Thanksgiving table to distract from the One we are most thankful for. Have a blessed and happy holiday—and give thanks to the one in the driver’s seat!
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Discussion questions for the kids:
- Did you win or lose or tie in your last competition? How did you feel?
- How do you think Tom and Tina Turkey felt about not being in the highest seat?
- Who do you think is “the One we are most thankful for”? Are you thankful for Him? Why?
