Financial Fables

Financial Fables are entertaining stories that combine reading, economics and personal finance into life lessons that feature "money morals." Through quick, interactive online tales, students can learn useful financial management skills that will better prepare them for the future.

Penny Pigeon and the Missing Nest Egg

Meet Penny Pigeon and her friends Rosa Robin, Carl Cardinal and Judge Blue Jay. In this fable, Penny Pigeon learns to hunt and save for her future nest egg instead of taking valuables from other birds through counseling from Judge Blue Jay. The story is centered on the moral: "A plan to save increases your nest egg for the future." The fable, in addition to the lesson plans and activities, is designed to teach students about the importance of saving and how to plan for both short-term and long-term goals.

Penny Pigeon liked to snatch things from other birds' nests. Not only did she grab wiggly worms and

fuzzy leaves, but she often stole the money being saved for the baby birds' future.

One day she was caught in the act of stealing Rosa Robin’s nest egg by an alert cardinal named Carl.

“I saw your sneaky snatching of Rosa’s egg!” said Carl. “All the birds know that you have sticky claws!”

Penny’s beak opened so wide that she dropped the nest egg to the ground.

“I’m reporting this snatch to Judge Blue Jay!” said Carl.

The next day, Judge Blue Jay called Penny Pigeon to court to talk about her sneaky problem.

The judge read Penny’s rap sheet, with a list of all she had grabbed from nests over the years.

“Why do you snatch other birds’ valuables?” asked Judge Blue Jay.

“I feel the need to feather my nest with their treasures for the future,” replied Penny.

“Do you know that all the birds call you ‘Penny the pick-pocket Pigeon’?” asked the judge.

Penny sadly buried her head in her wings.

“You need to start feathering your nest through seeking and saving your own valuables instead of taking treasures

from others,” Judge Blue Jay replied. “Nest eggs belong to the birds that plan and prepare their nests.

You will gain more for the future through planning and gathering rather than grabbing.”

Penny took Judge Blue Jay’s words to heart and began a new way to hunt and save treasures without stealing

She planned her searches for valuables carefully and gained money through investing in birdseed.

Her new skills soon feathered her nest with food, warm leaves and a nest egg of money.

Now the birds call her “Penny who pinches pennies for the future Pigeon.”

Money Moral: A plan to save increases your nest egg for the future.

For more information please visit www.kansascityfed.org/education/

Oscar Ostrich Faces the Future

Meet Oscar Ostrich. In this fable, Oscar Ostrich is taught to think about his future needs and set financial goals to become more confident about his financial future. The story is centered on the moral: "If you set and reach financial goals, your needs will be met in the future." View additional activities below.

Judge Blue Jay flew south to relax on the sandy beach for his winter vacation.

He was soaking in the sun and enjoying the warm breeze when he noticed a strange sight.

A tall, feathery ostrich was standing nearby with its pointy head burrowed into the sand.

“Do you need help, Mr. Ostrich?” the judge asked. The bird peeked up at Judge Blue Jay.

“My name is Oscar and I’m afraid of the future,” replied the ostrich.

“I see,“ said the judge. “Why does the future frighten you, Oscar?” The ostrich lowered his head sadly.

“Because I don’t know what will happen in years to come. I’m afraid I won’t have enough money for all that I need.”

The judge nodded his head slowly. He could tell that Oscar needed some advice about saving money for his

future. “Oscar, have you thought about setting some financial goals? If you plan ways to help you save and

reach these goals, you will feel better about the future,” the judge said.

“Set goals for the future? That sounds hard to do,” Oscar replied, burrowing his head back into the sand.

“It’s easier than you imagine, Oscar. You need to think of your financial needs first.

Then decide on goals that will help you meet those needs,” the judge explained.

Oscar closed his eyes to picture his future needs. “Well, I need to have enough money for my everyday living,

for food and a cozy nest. I’d also like to save for my baby chicks’ education and have some money set aside for.

“Excellent ideas, Oscar. Now what financial goals can you set to meet your future needs?” asked the judge.

Oscar used his beak to do math in the sand and figured his goals.

“If I plan to save half of the money from selling my feathers each week, I’ll have enough for food and

nest bedding in the future. And when I get gifts of money from my bird friends, I could add to my

chicks’ educational fund. Any money I win in the ostrich races could be saved for my grandchicks.

The judge smiled and said, “Now you’ve become a goal setter, Oscar. The next step is to become a

goal setter. I wish you luck in reaching your financial goals!”

The money moral is: if you set and reach financial goals, your needs will be met in the future.

Shopping Wisely with Olivia Owl

Olivia Owl and Penny Pigeon share valuable advice with Rhoda Roadrunner to improve her shopping habits in this fable. The story is centered on the moral: "If you plan and compare before shopping, you will use your money more wisely."

Rhoda Roadrunner’s toes clickety-clacked as she dashed down the aisle of the Frequent Flyer Market.

She was in her usual hurry to grab a meal for her hungry family. As she sprinted around the corner at

high speed, Rhoda crashed into Olivia Owl. Olivia and her food flew into the air.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, Ms. Olivia!” apologized Rhoda. “Are you all right?”

Olivia slowly gathered her items and dusted off her wings. “I seem to be in one piece, Rhoda.

"Well, it’s almost dinner time and I need to pick up food for my chicks. I just can’t seem to find the small insect aisle.

And I want to buy some bird treats for dessert, and let’s see, something else that I can’t remember…”

Rhoda scratched her feathery head in thought.

“Rhonda, it might be easier if you prepared a list before you shopped. You could check the Bird Word ads

and compare prices at this market with Meal-In-A-Minute Market down the road.”

“Make a list and compare? But I don’t have time for that. I spend most of the day defending my nest from those

Nasty hawks.” Rhoda shook her head in disgust.

“Hello feathered friends!” Penny Pigeon called as she scooted down the aisle towards them. “Have you checked out

the birdseed sale? It’s the best price in town!”

Olivia smiled at Penny’s excitement. “I was just telling Rhoda how to plan and compare before shopping.

Can you share any other words of shopping wisdom, Penny?”

“Well, I’ve learned if you plan to save, your nest egg will increase in the future,” replied Penny.

“I’m sure that applies to shopping too.”

“If you plan to save by purchasing only the food you need at the best prices, you’ll have more money left for the

future. You do want to send your chicks to the unibirdsity when they’re grown, don’t you?”

Rhoda’s eyes lit up as she began to see the big shopping picture. “Well, I guess my family doesn’t NEED bird treats

For dessert. And I could buy insects in bulk to get a better price. If I make a list and compare, I could save money

Each time I shop. And that cash could someday cover unibirdsity costs!”

Olivia hooted and proudly announced. “Whooo is the wisest shopper? Rhoda Roadrunner, that’s who!”

The money moral is: if you plan and compare before shopping, you will use your money more wisely.

Percy Peacock and the Credit Crisis

Percy Peacock gets advice from Charlie Chickadee on how to handle credit purchases and payments successfully. The story is centered on the moral: "Use credit wisely and make payments on time to be a responsible consumer."

We don't just go to work, we go to serve.

Financial Fables

Penny Pigeon and the Missing Nest Egg

Oscar Ostrich Faces the Future

Shopping Wisely with Olivia Owl

Percy Peacock and the Credit Crisis