🦌 Moose Teaches Maple About Systems Thinking

A bedtime story for curious minds (and thoughtful parents)

It was a bright morning in the backyard, the kind that smelled like new beginnings. Maple the puppy bounded through the grass, her ears flopping like tiny wings. Every sound was exciting. Every stick was treasure. Every corner of the yard was a mystery waiting to be discovered.

Moose watched from the porch—steady, calm, and wise. He’d explored this yard many times before. He knew which spots were safe, which corners held surprises, and which ones led too close to the fence.

“Maple,” he called gently, “slow down a little. Look around you. What do you see?”

“I see everything!” she barked happily. “Grass, sunshine, bugs, toys—so many things to chase!”

Moose smiled. “Yes, there’s a lot to explore. But do you see the fence?”

Maple turned her head. “Oh, that big wooden thing? It keeps me from running into the world!”

“Exactly,” Moose said. “That’s your boundary. It’s not there to trap you—it’s there to help you learn where you belong and to keep you safe while you grow.”

Maple tilted her head. “So… the fence is part of my system?”

Moose nodded. “Very good! You, little Maple, are a system too. You have parts—your mind, your heart, and your paws. You have inputs—what you hear, see, and feel. And you have outputs—what you do with all those things. How you use them shows who you are becoming.”

Maple thought hard. “So when I listen to Mom and Dad, that’s an input. And when I share my toy with you, that’s an output?”

Moose chuckled. “Exactly. That’s systems thinking. You’re learning how every choice connects to something bigger. You’re learning what kind of dog you are becoming.”

🪞 Moose’s Lesson

That evening, the sky glowed gold, and the two dogs lay together watching the light fade.

Maple whispered, “Moose, do you think people have systems too?”

Moose looked toward the house, where their family was eating dinner and laughing together. “They sure do,” he said. “People are built with hearts that feel, minds that think, and souls that long for purpose. They have fences too—boundaries, habits, and rules that keep them safe. And every day, they learn how to balance what’s inside them with what’s around them.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “It’s like how God designed everything. He gave the world order and rhythm. He made families, friendships, and seasons—all connected so life could work in harmony.”

Maple smiled sleepily. “So… when I learn to listen, share, and stay inside my fence, I’m learning to be part of God’s big system too?”

Moose nodded. “That’s right, Maple. You’re learning how to live the way you were designed—to love, to grow, and to bring joy to the world around you.”

Maple yawned. “That’s a lot to think about.”

Moose smiled as she drifted to sleep. “That’s systems thinking, kiddo. One small thought at a time.”

💬 Parent–Child Reflection

1. Boundaries: What “fences” in your life help keep you safe or help you grow (like routines, rules, or family values)?

2. Inputs and Outputs: What are some good things you can take in (listen to, read, or think about) that help you make good choices?

3. God’s Design: How do you see God’s systems all around you—in nature, in your family, or even in how your day works?