The Pencil’s Tale - Five Lessons Every Dad Should Share and Teach Their Kids

Episode 218 - The Pencil’s Tale - Five Lessons Every Dad Should Share and Teach Their Kids

The story itself appears to be an anonymous parable, sometimes called "The Pencil Maker’s Parable," but has been attributed to adaptors such as Jimmy Reed and featured in inspirational columns and children’s teachings.

Here is the tale:

The Pencils Tale.

Once upon a time, an old pencil maker took his newest pencil aside just before he was about to pack him into a box. Imagining the little fellow as a person, he recalled a few things about the pencil.

There are five things you need to know, he said to his pencil, before I send you out into the world.

Always remember these five things. Never forget them and you will become the best pencil you can be.

The first thing is to remember that you will be able to do many great things, but only if you put yourself in someone else's hands.

From time to time you will experience a painful sharpening, but remember that this will make you a better pencil.

Also, keep in mind that you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make along the way. The most important part of you is what's on the inside.

And remember this as well. Upon every surface that you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what else happens, you must continue to write.

It seemed the pencil listened to him and promised he would remember these five things, so that he could live his life with heart and purpose. You see in life, in your life, put yourself in someone else's hand.

Embrace challenges for growth. Learn from mistakes, value inner qualities and leave a positive mark on the world. And you too can become the best pencil there is.

This was the pencils tale

Applying the Story to Dads and Families

"The Pencil’s Tale" offers simple, profound lessons that resonate for dads at every stage of parenting. By sharing this parable with children, fathers model the values of humility, resilience, and purpose. The pencil’s journey provides a natural metaphor for growth, learning, and character—qualities every dad hopes to nurture in their kids.

Key Lessons Dads Can Teach from the Tale

• Acceptance of Guidance: The pencil succeeds by allowing itself to be guided. Likewise, dads can teach children that everyone benefits from mentors, family, and friends. Being open to support leads to doing great things.
• Embracing Challenges and Growth: Like sharpening a pencil, life’s difficulties shape us. Dads can explain that painful experiences (hard lessons, discipline, setbacks) help us grow stronger and better, no matter our age.
• Learning from Mistakes: Erasers let us fix errors, and so can honesty and forgiveness. Teaching kids that mistakes aren’t final—and can be corrected—empowers them to try again and learn without fear.
• Valuing What’s Inside: The most important part of a person (or pencil) is what’s inside: character, kindness, and integrity. Dads can emphasize that inner qualities matter more than outside appearances.
• Leaving a Positive Mark: Everyone leaves a mark in the world—through actions, words, and kindness. Encouraging children to be intentional about the impact they make helps them live a life with purpose.

By retelling this parable, dads foster meaningful conversations about values, resilience, and making a difference, while building trust and deeper bonds with their families.

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