How Would You Define Greed to a Five-Year-Old?

Google defines greed as the desire to have more of something, such as food or money, than is necessary or fair.

It’s a simple definition, but if your 6-year-old child asks you, would you share the definition above? I believe you could do that if you want them to memorise the definition rather than understand it.

While driving my kids to school yesterday, my 5-year-old boss said, ‘Daddy, someone called my friend Akut greedy yesterday, what does it mean’?

I liked that question, and fortunately, I had a storybook with me that clearly illustrates what it means to be greedy. All I did was read the story about the Greedy Dog, as summarised below.

Once upon a time in the village of Komu, there lived a dog named Chui, known for his insatiable greed. Every time the other dogs went hunting, or the villagers passed by with some delicious meat, Chui would pounce, attempting to snatch the food for himself.

One serene afternoon, as Chui lay along a narrow path, he spotted another dog carrying a hare it had caught during a hunt. Without a second thought, Chui attacked, seizing the meat and strolling toward the river, eager to enjoy his ill-gotten gains.

Upon reaching the river, which appeared calm and reflective, Chui noticed his own image in the flowing water. Believing it to be another dog with yet another piece of meat, he hatched a plan to snatch that as well. In his haste to attack the imaginary rival, Chui leaped into the river, causing the hare in his mouth to tumble into the flowing water.

Realising his predicament, Chui scrambled to swim back to the riverbank. The consequences of his greed were evident, as the stolen hare was lost forever.

By the time I was done telling my story, my 5-year-old quickly said, ‘Daddy, Akut didn’t do anything wrong to Nathan yesterday. Nathan was wrong to call him greedy, and I am going to tell my teacher.’

Many adults are also guilty of wrong definitions, but stories help to aid the literal meaning we are unable to provide.

Make some time today to ask your kids if they know what it means to be greedy. If they don’t, read my abridged summary as a story to drive moral lessons but order the stories so you can have the full package 😉.

Lessons like that and many more are best communicated when we tell stories.

Order a book today to build the habits you want to see in your kids tomorrow.

I am the guy to chat with on 08033615992 if you are in Nigeria or just send a mail to jewelswriting@gmail.com.

By the way, research showed that The Greedy Dog was originally written by Alex Firth, but I am happy it has been adapted to suit the Nigerian sensibility. I hope the necessary permissions were given 😁.

Shalom