Once upon a time, in the frosty land of Antarctica, there lived a curious little penguin named Percy. Percy loved exploring and trying new things, but he had a mischievous side that often got him into trouble.

One sunny day, Percy waddled past an ice cream shop. The delicious aroma of sweet treats filled the air, enticing him with its tantalising scent. Unable to resist the temptation, Percy decided to venture inside.

“Hello, young penguin! How may I help you today?” the shopkeeper, a wise old walrus named Walter, greeted Percy with a smile.

Percy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he scanned the colourful display of ice cream flavours. Unable to make up his mind, he asked Walter for a taste of every flavour.

Walter chuckled and said, “Oh, Percy, that’s quite a request! But be careful, too much ice cream can give you a tummy ache.”

“Oh, I can handle it!” Percy brushed off the warning, eager to satisfy his curiosity. One by one, he tasted every flavour, giggling with delight as the cold sweetness melted on his tongue.

He couldn’t get enough! But as Percy indulged in his ice cream adventure, he failed to notice the growing discomfort in his belly. The once delightful experience turned into a bellyache that made him groan in pain. Regret washed over Percy as he realised the consequences of his greediness.

He waddled back to the counter, his flippers holding his tummy. “Walter, I didn’t listen to your advice, and now I have a terrible bellyache,” Percy confessed, his voice filled with remorse.

Walter nodded, his wise eyes filled with understanding, and said, “Curiosity can be a wonderful thing, Percy, but it’s important to listen to wise advice and not let our desires cloud our judgment.”

With a gentle smile, Walter handed Percy a soothing cup of mint tea. “This will help ease your bellyache, my curious friend,” Walter spoke reassuringly.

Percy sipped the tea slowly, feeling the warmth spread through his body. As he did, he realised the importance of moderation and the value of listening to those who offer guidance.

From that day onward, Percy learned to balance his curiosity with caution. He became a trusted advisor to his penguin friends, sharing the wisdom he gained from his ice cream misadventure.

And so, in the frosty land of Antarctica, Percy the curious penguin taught everyone the valuable lesson that curiosity should always be tempered with wisdom and moderation.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 17th, 2023