Teaching children that small acts can help save the world | Opinion

“What would you like to do?” asked Stillwater.

“Something important!’ said Koo. . . “Let us save the world!”

“That’s a very big idea,” said Stillwater.

Koo, a small panda, is visiting Uncle Stillwater for the summer. Their endearing story is contained in the book “Stillwater and Koo Save the World,” written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth.

“Let us get to work,” said Koo.

Stillwater agrees and then suggests they start by tidying Koo’s room. This is followed by taking care of Jasper, Stillwater’s cat, and then by feeding the koi and clearing leaves from their pond. Throughout a busy day, Koo, with Stillwater’s able assistance, bakes a cake for their new neighbors. Together, they save a family of ducks in danger of being run over while crossing a busy road.

Later, as they rest, Koo asks Stillwater, “Is saving the world even possible at all? I am still not sure.”

“Stillwater smiled. ‘My bighearted Koo. You did so many things today that made the world a better place. Each time you do something good, you save the world a little bit,’ said Stillwater.”

Could that be true? Could it be that simple? When I first read those words, I was preparing for my favorite hour of the week — that of storyteller to my granddaughter Sara’s transitional kindergarten class.

I was stunned by this passage. The things Koo did during the day cost absolutely nothing, could be accomplished by anyone at any age and required no special education. Could those simple, priceless, bighearted gestures be the secret to saving the world?

As I continued to think about Stillwater’s statement, it reminded me of a tale told by the master storyteller in the Christian scriptures. Toward the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus needed to impress on his followers his design for living a life that matters. Jesus tells them a story in which the Son of Man appears before all the nations assembled, and the Son of Man looks out over the multitude, and one-by-one he singles out and invites those who have lived a life that matters to come forward and share in his glory.

What had they done, those individuals who were called forward to be honored with him? Had they built a crystal cathedral? Had they donated millions to a good cause?

They had done none of those things. They were mystified. Why were they being singled out, they asked.

The Son of Man solidified forever his definition of the most important, essential gestures that constitute a life that matters in his answer. He noted a morsel of food given to the hungry, water given to the thirsty, clothing given to the naked, a visit to the sick and encouragement for the imprisoned.

These simple, ordinary gestures are the most important? More important than crystal cathedrals or millions of dollars?

When I shared Koo’s story with Sara’s elementary school classmates of four- and five-year-olds, their eyes remained glued on the beautiful water color pictures that illustrated not only the close bond shared by a small child and his wise uncle, but also illustrated the inherent beauty of simple actions done with great love.

I saw their eyes glow and then twinkle as they heard Stillwater’s words, “Each time you do something good, you save the world a little.” Could this mean them? Could they “save the world a little?” We talked about it, and we agreed that we could all do that magic that saves the world, little by little.

I gave them each a small plastic panda to put in their pockets, and I told them that each time they touched their panda they would remember they had the power to do something good and thereby make the world a better place.

What’s stopping us from joining these bright-eyed believers and, together, saving the world?

Bunny Stevens lives in Modesto, her hometown, and has served on The Modesto Bee Community Advisory Board. She is the opening courtesy clerk at the Safeway supermarket on McHenry Avenue and an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. Reach her at BunnyinModesto@gmail.com