Wee Wisdom
We hope you and your children will fall in love with the gang from Wee Wisdom Village. Join Spunky the Skunk, Willow the Owl, Allie the Cat and Ratta Tat the rappin’ Rat on their weekly escapades. Learn about living a Spirit-filled life every animated step of the way.

Signs of Stress

Willow the Owl was perched on top of the jungle gym at the playground in Wee Wisdom Village, quietly reading a book. Every once in a while, she would nod, as if she knew just what the author was saying.

Allie the Cat had been curled up taking a cat nap under a nearby tree. When she woke up, she spotted Willow and slowly wandered over to say hello. Willow looked up from her book as Allie walked up, stopping to take a big stretch as she neared the jungle gym.

“Allie, you look like the picture of relaxation,” Willow said with a smile.

“Well, I like to think of it as chilled out,” said Allie with a sly smile. “Ratta Tat told me the other day that I was one cool kitty.”

Willow looked at her book and then back at Allie. “Do you ever feel stressed Allie?” Willow asked.

“Hummmm. Why do you ask?” Allie replied.

“I’m reading this book on the signs of stress. It says if you’re stressed, you might have a tight neck or shoulders, or you might grind your teeth,” Willow explained.

“Nope, that’s not me,” Allie said, just as Spunky the Skunk ran into the play area. He was out of breath and his eyes were darting around wildly. He also had his shoulders drawn up, practically to his ears and looked like he was ready to run away at any moment. “That looks more like what you were talking about, Willow,” said Allie.

Spunky looked at them and squeaked out, “Huh?”

“Are you stressed out Spunky?” Willow asked, tapping her wing on her book.

“I don’t know if I’m stressed, but I feel terrible. My stomach hurts, I can’t stop eating, and last night I could hardly sleep,” Spunky said looking miserable.

“Spunky you just described some of the most normal signs of stress, according to my book,” said Willow. “Is there something bothering you?”

Spunky thought about it for a second then said, “Well, yah! I have a math test tomorrow and no matter how long I study for it, I don’t feel like I’m going to ever be ready! I can’t believe all that is in your book. So, Willow, what can I do about it?”

Willow looked a little worried and said, “That’s the next chapter, I’ll have to get back to you on that!”

Question for Kids: What causes you stress? How do you act when you’re stressed? What signs of stress can you notice in others? What can you do when you’re feeling stress to release the tension?