Ryers Readers - The Sour Grape

Episode Date: January 25, 2023

Holding a grudge can get super exhausting! The Sour Grape learns that life can be very sweet when you change your outlook on things. Very sweet indeed!

Let's do this! Thank you so much for tuning into today's story. Don't forget to rate and follow, so you never miss out on all the Ryers' readers' fun. Before we get into the story, do you want to know a fun fact? Did you know that grapes are one of the world's favorite fruits? Around the world, there are more than 8,000 different types of grapes,

and they come in seven different colors. Red, green, white, black, purple, blue, and golden. Which type of grape is your favorite? Okay, story time. Today, we have a super special Ryers Reader's request from five-year-old Musa. Musa would like to hear The Sour Grape by Jory John and Pete Oswald. I hope you enjoy this story, Musa. Let's do this.

Emma Grape. A sour grape Gras If somebody upsets me I'll remember it If somebody wrongs me I won't forget it If somebody insults me

I'll never ignore it Nope See that banana over there That banana slipped and bumped into me So I'm holding a grudge See that orange That orange didn't call me back for a week Grudge

See that lime? That lime borrowed my scarf and never returned it. Grudge. I suppose I've got pretty thin skin for a grape. Nobody steps on this grape. Grrr. Granted, it wasn't always this way. I grew up in a close-knit bunch.

There were about 3,000 of us in our little community. We were sweet to each other. You look nice today. So do you. No, you do. We all lived on a vine. Sure, it was a bit claustrophobic, especially when we were trying to get ready in the morning. Are you done in there? But my family was ripe with humor, goodwill, and warmth. We did our best with what we had. Are you going to finish that? My grandparents visited on the weekends. We'd stroll in the sun and they'd teach us what they knew. They said that it takes a bunch to raise a seed. They said that good grapes roll their own way in life. They told us to be kind, forgiving, considerate, and grateful. Or, grateful, my grandpa said with a wink.

Above all, no matter what life throws at you, there will be a lot. Try to stay sweet. my grandma said indeed we said in response and for a while i was the sweetest of the sweet i said please i said thank you i brushed aside life's little annoyances i knew how good i had it but then one day something changed in me It was my birthday. I had rigorously and vigorously planned a big party for weeks. I sent out invitations with the date prominently displayed. Get this.

I had a ferris wheel, a magician, and hayrides. I had snacks upon snacks upon snacks. The highlight of the party, though, was a fireworks display, which would happen at sundown. I stood out front and waited for folks to arrive. I had a gigantic smile on my face. I waited. Everyone was a little late, it seemed.

No big deal, no big whoop. So I waited. A tumbleweed ruled by. A coyote howled in the distance. The sun sank behind the hills, and I waited. Nobody showed up, and I mean nobody. By the time the fireworks show started with me as the sole spectator, I was scowling. I considered everybody I invited and one and only thought came to my mind.

Grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge. After that, my personality became something else entirely. I went from a sweet grape to a bitter grape to a snappy grape. Finally, I became a sour grape. I started holding minor grudges that eventually became major grudges. Why don't you watch where you're going? I scowled so much that my face got all squishy. I took my grumpiness out on others.

that's just how it's been, day after day, week after week, month after month, grudge after grudge. But something happened recently that changed my thinking. I was getting ready to meet up with my friend Lenny, the only fellow I know who's as sour as I am. Lenny and I usually go to the park, where we sit on a bench and rant about stuff. But just as I was heading out the door, I bumped my knee. Ouch! After I bandaged myself up, I discovered I had a flat tire. Then I missed the bus, and the next bus was late.

Finally, I got off at the wrong stop. Sheesh. By the time I arrived at the park, It was getting dark. Lenny was fuming and furious with a frown and a furrowed forehead. His face looked all squishy. We agreed to meet exactly. I tried to explain why I was so tardy, but Lenny wouldn't listen.

He already made up his mind. He'd formed a huge grudge and wouldn't budge. I couldn't believe it. How unfair, I thought. How ridiculous. I thought. How, um, how similar to the way I would react. Lennie was pretty worked up. He was pacing back and forth, emitting occasional grumbles. His tone was tart, so I gave him a little space. Besides, it was nice out. I noticed the sky changing colors, the melodic chirping of the birds,

the evening breeze, the buzz of the park's insects coming alive at night, I suddenly felt grateful and peaceful and calm. Had I been missing all this simple beauty because I was too busy complaining? Meanwhile, old Lenny stormed off, muttering something about disrespect and lack of consideration. I'm pretty sure I heard a grr too. I walked home. I pulled a dusty box out from under my bed. There were old family photos inside.

I spotted myself in one of the pictures. I was so sweet. I knew that little grape from the photo was still a big part of me, deep down. It would just take some work to get back there again. And at that exact moment, I found the invitation I had sent out for my infamous birthday party, the one where no one showed up. It said May 31st. But wait. Wait a minute here.

My birthday was on May 21st. Alas, I told everyone to come the wrong day. Gulp, it was all my fault. I realized nobody's perfect. Not even me. After that day, I started noticing other things, too. Like, how remaining sour all the time is so draining. I'd wasted so much energy holding grudges when I could have easily cleared the air if I felt hurt.

And yes, I still get upset from time to time, but that's okay. Because now I talk and I listen and I work things out instead of just walking on. away. My sourness is fading. I'm letting go of all my grudges. And hey, it's working. Slip-ups happen. I'm just glad you're okay. Oh, thanks. That scarf looks so blime on you. Why don't you just keep it? Really? You're the best. Aren't you glad we got to catch up? I'm so grateful that we did. Sure. Sometimes I still let out a little grr when I'm feeling frustrated. Like this. Grr. But then I move on. My face is less squishy, too.

Oh, and don't worry. Things are okay with Lenny again. Gosh, I'm so sorry. I'm late. You must be furious. No big deal, my friend. You know what? If you look at things in the right sort of way, and you remember to be kind, considerate, forgiving, and grateful? Life really can be pretty sweet. Yes, indeed. The end. Don't forget to stick around to see if you can answer today's paying attention question.

Before you go, do you think you can answer today's paying attention question? The sour grape meets up with his friend at the park. Do you remember the name of his friend? If your answer was Lenny, then you did it! Great job! You sure were paying attention. I hope you enjoyed that story. I wonder what we're going to read next. Bye, Musa!