🦌🍁 Moose & Maple: The Day Maple Learned About State Machines

A CST for Kids Story about Change, Growth, and God’s Design

When Maple overhears Dada talking about something called a “state machine” in his office, she has no idea it’ll lead to her biggest discovery yet — that everything God made changes with purpose. Join Moose and Maple as they explore the snow, science, and faith behind how things grow and transform.

🐾 The Word That Sparked Curiosity

It all started one chilly afternoon in Dada’s office.

Maple liked to nap near the warm lights and listen to Dada talk to his computer about fascinating things

That day, she heard a strange word that made her ears perk up.

“State machine,” Dada said, pointing at funny boxes and arrows on his screen.

Maple tilted her head. “State machine?” she thought.

Was it something to chase? Did it make noise?

Later that evening, Moose found her sitting in the hallway, deep in thought — which for Maple usually meant she was either hungry or curious.

“You’ve got that look again,” Moose said kindly. “What’s on your mind, little one?”

“Dada said a funny word today,” Maple replied. “He called it a state machine. What is that? Is it something to eat?”

Moose chuckled. “Not quite. But maybe you’ll understand it better tomorrow.”

❄️ The Next Morning: Maple’s First Snowfall

The next morning, Maple woke up to magic.

Snow covered the yard like powdered sugar, and she raced outside to explore.

She leapt and barked and tried to catch the flakes on her tongue — until one melted right in her mouth.

She stopped and blinked.

“Wait… it was snow a second ago. Now it’s water!”

Moose padded over, calm and wise.

“See, Maple? You just met your first state change.”

“A state change?” Maple asked.

“That’s what Dada was talking about,” Moose said. “Snow is water in a frozen state. When it warms up, it changes — it becomes liquid. And if it gets even warmer, it turns into vapor and floats away. Then later, when it cools again, it turns back into snow.”

Maple’s eyes grew wide. “So snow can become water, and water can become air?”

Moose smiled. “Exactly. God designed creation to move through states — that’s what a state machine shows: how things change and grow with purpose.”

🧭 Moose’s Lesson: The States of Our Faith

Moose brushed his paw through the snow, tracing three circles.

“The same is true in our walk with God, Maple. Just like snow and water have different states, so do we. We grow through different faith states as we follow Him.”

He labeled the circles in the snow with his nose:

1. Searching – when we’re learning who God is and what truth feels like.

2. Believing – when we realize He’s real and we choose to trust Him.

3. Becoming – when we let Him change us from the inside out, just like water turning to snow or vapor.

Maple’s ears perked up. “So… it’s like Dada’s chart in his office?”

“Exactly,” Moose said. “Dada calls it a Faith State Machine — a way to show how we move from one state of faith to another.

We can get stuck sometimes, or even slip backward, but God’s grace always helps us move forward again.”

🌿 CST for Kids Lesson

Here are some examples of state changes — both in creation and in our faith walk:

In Creation:

Snowflake → (Warmth) → Water

Water → (Heat) → Vapor

Vapor → (Cooling) → Snowflake

In Faith:

Searching Heart → (Curiosity meets Truth & Love) → Believing Heart

Believing Heart → (Obedience and Trust) → Becoming Heart

Each arrow shows a transition — something that changes our state from one form to another.

Just like God designed snow to melt and clouds to form, He designed our hearts to grow, transform, and move closer to Him over time.

✨ Faith Reflection for Parents and Kids

Systems Thinking Concept:

A state machine shows how something moves from one condition to another through clear rules and transitions.

It helps us see that change isn’t random — it’s purposeful, ordered, and part of a bigger design.

Biblical Connection:

Our faith grows the same way — through seasons of learning, believing, and becoming.

Each stage builds on the last, just as Philippians 1:6 reminds us:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Try This at Home:

Draw your own Faith State Machine together.

Talk about the “states” your child feels God is helping them grow through.

Create a “Creation State Machine”:

Snow → Water → Vapor → Snow

Seed → Sprout → Flower → Seed

Caterpillar → Chrysalis → Butterfly

For older kids, compare it to their own routines:

Morning grumpiness → Breakfast → Energy → Joy!

Moose’s Closing Thought:

“Every system has purpose, every change has meaning. When God writes your state machine, it’s not about perfection — it’s about transformation.”