The most important time? Now.
The most important one? Who you are with.
The most important thing? To do good to those you are with.

Those are the most important things in this world. Those are why we are here. ( )

"based on a story by Leo Tolstoy" answering questions under the big one, "what is most important in this world?" Author's note at the end.

Nikolai is a boy who believes that if he can find the answers to his three questions, he will always know how to be a good person. He asks his animal friends these questions: "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?" The simple Zen-based exploration shows a child who, in doing good deeds, finds inner peace. This simple and direct message is a wonderful reminder for children of all ages.

Sometimes Nikolai was uncertain about the right way to act. He knew he wanted to be a good person, but he felt he didn’t always know the right way to go about it. He was certain that if he could just get the answers to three questions, he would always know what to do.

When is the best time to do things?
Who is the most important one?
What is the right thing to do?

Nikolai asks his friends . . . Sonya the Heron, Gogol the Monkey, Pushkin the Dog . . . but their answers don’t seem right. So he decides to ask Leo the Turtle who has lived a long time and will surely know the answers Nikolai seeks.

Leo is digging when Nikolai arrives; the boy does the job for him because the turtle is very old. When a storm blows in, Nikolai finds himself helping an injured panda. And, in the process, he finds the answers he seeks.

Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy, this touching tale speaks to compassion and concern for others. The soft watercolor illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to the story that helps a young boy discover why we are here.

Highly recommended. ( )

00008282