Holly always says how much she loves her family’s fluffy feline, Aunt Gladys. She tells the little kitty she’s the best fur baby in the world. But are her words of affection a genuine show of love?

When Holly comes home from school with her best friend, Clara, they are super excited because tomorrow is Show and Tell. Holly wants to share her excitement with Mom, but only Aunt Gladys is waiting to greet her. Holly’s mom left a note, in the form of a picture puzzle, explaining she is away for just a short while to help Grandma. The note also says to snack on the homemade cookies and milk, feed Aunt Gladys, go to the neighbor if there’s an emergency, and be sure to look by the door. That’s where her mom left a bubble wand, and Clara squeals in delight. The girls love blowing bubbles!

Holly and Clara scarf down a few cookies and then run to the yard to search for Show and Tell items, leaving Aunt Gladys behind. After some deliberation, the two pick a pumpkin and fill it with flowers. Then it’s time for fun, blowing big bubbles and tiny bubbles.

The girls play until Holly’s mom comes home, then Holly proudly shows off the flower-filled pumpkin. Mom’s impressed and tells Holly to take it inside. When Holly opens the patio door, she finds a messy surprise – milk glasses tipped over, puddles of milk on the floor, and broken cookies everywhere.

Holly swears she and Clara didn’t do it. It had to be Aunt Gladys! Holly shakes her finger at her fur baby, calls her naughty, and threatens to put her in a kitty crate for the rest of the night. That’s when Mom steps in and gently delivers a much-needed lesson about love.

Mom explains that real, genuine love is a lot like Show and Tell. Love is action. You have to do loving things, not just say the words. So when Holly didn’t feed Aunt Gladys or give her much attention, Holly didn’t do any of the things that would make Aunt Gladys feel loved.

Author Gina Prosch helps young children see and understand how to be the leaders of their own lives and be more emotionally resilient. A special page written specifically for parents and educators offers suggestions on ways children can express genuine love and caring.