A Gift in the Thin Times

STORY

A Gift in the Thin Times

The Willowbee Tree

Little Ty is a picky eater. He often eats only one thing on his plate and refuses the rest. When the Willowbee children are taken to the far north of Norway, they encounter a pair of reindeer and an arctic hare that reveal the blessings of light, warmth, and food during a season where all of three are scarce. After that, food never tasted quite so good.

18 min
3+
Topics: Cooking & BakingGeographyAnimalsGratitude

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Sparkle Kitchen

Sparkle Kitchen: Risgrøt

This week's recipe is risgrøt, a Norwegian rice porridge that is often served at breakfast on Christmas Eve. As with most traditional recipes, there are as many ways to make it as there are stars in the winter sky. On the first truly cold day of fall, I tested a few and discovered three things.

Storybox Playlist

Storybox Playlist: Stories of Simple Gratitude

We can find things every day to be grateful for — whether it's a hot breakfast, warm snow boots, a beautiful sunset, or even a wonderful laugh.

Characters in this Story

Little Ty

The Willowbee Tree

Ready to Swim

Ready to Swim

Clancy is worried about the transition from kindergarten to first grade and gains courage from a little turtle who is making its first journey to the sea.
21 min
3+

The Angry Elephant

The Angry Elephant

A willow tree adventure to India helps Piper understand her own temper by meeting an elephant with a similar personality.
21 min
3+

Introduction Part One: The Lion's Eye

Introduction Part One: The Lion's Eye

Clancy discovers a magical willow tree in his new back yard that transports him to a magical land with talking animals and lots of fun.
29 min
3+

Playing with Nothing

Playing with Nothing

Piper and Clancy are bored, but learn to find something in "nothing" from some Penguins on a barren island near Namibia.
20 min
3+

Plenty for All

Plenty for All

Little Ty learns a lesson from some creatures in the Sahara about how generosity and sharing bring new friends.
21 min
3+

Welcoming New Friends

Welcoming New Friends

The Willowbee children learn to welcome new friends rather than be weary of them after seeing a group of wombats try to scare away some kangaroos.
20 min
3+

Graces

Graces

Littley Ty is reminded to be reverent during the the dinnertime grace after a willow tree trip to Scotland where they always say thanks.
24 min
3+

Defeat the Goats

Defeat the Goats

Piper uses her own experiences at school to help some angry boars get past rumors and explore reality for themselves.
20 min
3+

Butting Heads and Lying Down

Butting Heads and Lying Down

Clancy and Ty learn a lesson about how not to butt heads with his brother from two stubborn bighorn sheep.
24 min
3+

The Clay Pot

The Clay Pot

On a willow tree adventure to the Smoky Mountains, Piper learns the importance of listening to her elders.
21 min
3+

The Right Spot

The Right Spot

Piper and her brothers are having trouble deciding where to plant a new blueberry bush until some animals in Mexico show them that sometimes the right spot is right under your nose.
20 min
3+

Stillness and Quiet

Stillness and Quiet

Clancy learns a lesson in patience from some macaques as he waits to get rid of his chicken pox.
21 min
3+

The Smell of Fire

The Smell of Fire

Little Ty is sensitive to strong smells, but when he meets a Kea bird in New Zealand he learns that you can discover amazing things from the way they smell.
21 min
3+

Feeding the Storm

Feeding the Storm

A Newfoundland wolf teaches Clancy how to embrace and express his feelings in order to improve his mood.
19 min
3+

The Fire Within

The Fire Within

Piper is sad that others think she is bossy but learns it's okay to be fiery as long as you can see the different kinds of fire in others.
19 min
3+

Afraid of the Dark

Afraid of the Dark

Piper encounters some lemurs who teach her that the dark is not to be feared, because it's full of fun!
16 min
3+

The Race

The Race

Piper is worried about competing with her friend Elise in a race, but meets a roadrunner and jackrabbit who tech her that friends can have fun competing.
18 min
3+

Growling

Growling

The Willowbee children learn that bickering and arguing can get in the way of much more important things... and fun.
22 min
3+

The Secret of the Source

The Secret of the Source

Piper is determined to see the holiday gnome that visits their house each year, but learns that questions sometimes questions just lead to more questions instead of answers.
20 min
3+

Meeting New Friends

Meeting New Friends

Clancy helps a shy duck find some new friends and, in the process, finds courage to meet some new friends himself.
21 min
3+

A Gift in the Thin Times

A Gift in the Thin Times

Clancy is inspired to be a less picky eater after visiting with some animals who appreciate every bit of food during scarce times.
18 min
3+

A Real Dragon

A Real Dragon

The willow tree grants Ty's half-birthday wish to meet a real dragon by taking him to Komodo Island where the kids learn that you can't always believe what you've heard.
21 min
3+

The Jewel Island

The Jewel Island

After a disagreement about who gets to keep some sparkly gifts from their aunt, the children visit Vietnam and learn what true treasure is.
23 min
3+

First Flurries

First Flurries

Clancy isn't ready for autumn to become winter but a visit to Alaska helps him see that everyone welcomes winter in different ways.
20 min
3+

The Resilient Little Bluebird

The Resilient Little Bluebird

In the story, the Willowbee Children learn the meaning of resilience when they meet a determined group of bluejays that are small in size and number but big in strength and patience.
18 min
3+

Staying on the Path

Staying on the Path

Clancy does not want to complete a reading challenge that he signed up for at his local library. A Willow Tree adventure takes him to Northern Spain where a black bear, a rabbit, and a mountain goat share the lessons from their very long pilgrimage.
23 min
3+

The Three Musk-a-Deers

The Three Musk-a-Deers

After a busy day at school, Piper and Clancy want a quiet afternoon reading books on the couch. When the Willow Tree takes them to the pine forests of Siberia, a "musk deer" welcomes them all into an afternoon of games and fun and "muska-deer" play.
19 min
3+

Big Plans and Real Weather

Big Plans and Real Weather

The Willowbee kids are disappointed when bad weather postpones the spring festival but learn to accept and honor the weather — whether you like it or not.
19 min
3+

Twixt the Cracks

Twixt the Cracks

Piper is bored with the same old summer things until the willow tree leads her to Ireland where she learns to see the hidden magic between the cracks.
21 min
3+

A Stone with Wings

A Stone with Wings

Clancy's "silly" ideas are sometimes a source of teasing from his classmates. But they are precisely the kind of ideas needed to help some animals in need.
23 min
3+

Sacred Snack Time

Sacred Snack Time

Little Ty gets so absorbed in play time that he sometimes forgets to eat. But a visit with some butterflies teaches him the importance of fueling up before a big event.
23 min
3+

Give and Take

Give and Take

Clancy takes more than his share of a yummy treat hoping his mother won't notice. After a willow tree trip to Borneo he learns the value of giving instead of just taking.
20 min
3+

The Wild Ponies

The Wild Ponies

Clancy is wondering what his life would be like if he still lived in his old home. With the help of some wild ponies he begins to appreciate his life just as it is.
20 min
3+

Pushing the Sun

Pushing the Sun

Little Ty learns that even though he's small he can still be powerful after meeting a tiny Egyptian creature with big strength.
21 min
3+

True Gifts

True Gifts

Clancy struggles to think of a gift to make his mother for her birthday but discovers an answer after meeting some Icelandic dolphins.
23 min
3+

The Corn Children

The Corn Children

Piper learns the importance of keeping promises from a wise mother jaguar in the Yucatan.
22 min
3+

The Silly Seals

The Silly Seals

Piper is worried some of her new schoolmates don't like her and meets some seals who also worry if a new resident of their island dislikes them.
20 min
3+

The Cattle Drive

The Cattle Drive

Clancy helps a sad Longhorn rejoin his herd, and gains the courage to attempt something he was worried would be too difficult to attempt.
20 min
3+

Stuck in the Stable

Stuck in the Stable

Little Ty is feeling left out when his siblings go back to school but a willow tree adventure helps him learn that there's value in waiting for your turn.
21 min
3+

Fairy Tales

Fairy Tales

Clancy gets a chance to become a real knight, with a magical sword when the willow tree takes him to a castle in Germany.
23 min
3+

The Rarest Fruit

The Rarest Fruit

Clancy would love to try rare and unusual fruits, and is excited to be transported by the willow tree to see the very first lemon tree in India.
21 min
3+

The Perfect Pet

The Perfect Pet

The Willowbees are finally getting a pet! But Little Ty can't decide what kind he wants because he loves animals of all kinds!
19 min
3+

Seeing the Magic

Seeing the Magic

Piper is worried she won't get along with a new acquaintance until a magical llama shows her how to find things in unexpected places.
16 min
3+

Being Yourself

Being Yourself

Clancy is struggling to enjoy the noisy and rowdy games that others seem to love, but learns the value of being himself from the unique creatures of the Galapagos.
21 min
3+

Waiting for Wings

Waiting for Wings

Piper wants to be allowed to read books that are for older kids, but learns the value of waiting from a crane who wants to fly north before her time.
17 min
3+

The Bat Cave

The Bat Cave

Clancy learns the importance of remembering loved ones who have passed from a group of animals in Bali who take him to a special temple.
20 min
3+

What is No Longer Needed

What is No Longer Needed

Piper is nervous about having two baby teeth removed until she meets a molting rattlesnake who helps her realize it's okay to let go of things you no longer need.
17 min
3+

Powerful Friends

Powerful Friends

Clancy develops the courage to perform in front of people after visiting the "totem" animals of the Pacific Northwest.
23 min
3+

Dreams and Fancy

Dreams and Fancy

Piper learns to appreciate her brother's wild imagination when she encounters some fanciful animals in the Amazon rainforest.
26 min
3+

Taking Your Time

Taking Your Time

Piper sometimes rushes her work just to be finished before others, but a sloth in Ecuador helps her see the value and power of taking your time.
20 min
3+

Through the Hedgerow

Through the Hedgerow

Piper learns to appreciate simple adventures from a herd of cows who are never bored, even though they don't have much excitement in their neck of the woods.
24 min
3+

Listen to the Lights

Listen to the Lights

The Willowbee children learn how to be excited but still be quiet from a Moose who shows them to enjoy the northern lights.
20 min
3+

Have Fun Finding

Have Fun Finding

Everyone wants to know Little Ty's secret to finding things, and an Otter in Loch Ness helps them learn Ty's magic trick.
22 min
3+

I Am Myself

I Am Myself

Piper is torn because all her friends want her to like what they like, but with the help of some unique creatures learns that being herself is best.
19 min
3+

Sharing a Meal

Sharing a Meal

The Willowbee children learn a lesson in sharing from some animals in Tasmania who happily share their food sources.
17 min
3+

Introduction Part Two: Running As One

Introduction Part Two: Running As One

Piper learns how to deal with the frustration of not coming in first when the magical willow tree introduces her to a King Bear racing to save his crown.
28 min
3+

Introduction Part Three: Throwing Stones

Introduction Part Three: Throwing Stones

Brothers Clancy and Ty are hot and crabby, so crabby they feel like throwing things. Then the willow tree introduces them to to long-ago brothers having a similar issue.
27 min
3+

The End of the Season

The End of the Season

Clancy is feeling nervous about the change from first to second grade but learns that while change can be scary, it's how you become stronger and wiser.
18 min
3+

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