Snack Dojo

The house was quiet. Lights were dim. Mom and Dad were in the living room watching TV. In the shadows, two little ninjas, Kai and Nina, were on a mission. Shh, Kai, make sure to step over the creaky board. We're in stealth mode! Got it! Like silent wind through bamboo. Their target? The kitchen dojo, where they would launch a midnight snack attack. But first, they must sneak past the parent guardians.

"The ninjas dropped to the carpet, crawled low to the floor, and scuttled past the parent guardians. Parent guardians, outsmarted," Stomach Sensei said.

"Now, onto the next level," Kai said.

Booby traps awaited in the snack dojo. They must quickly get in and out of the fridge, squeaky drawers, and creaky cabinets. The fridge light! Shield your eyes! Ah, the squeaky drawer almost gave us away. They ducked. They rolled. They froze like statues. Step by step, until they reached the mother load, the food pantry. Inside, a treasure trove. A tower of cookies, crunchy crackers, cupcakes. They nibbled, they chomped, they crunched. Then something spoke. Warriors, listen to your body. Stop at almost full. If you're tired or achy, pause, rest, and recharge. Did your tummy just talk? I think that was Stomach Sensei. They kept munching. One chocolate chip cookie, two cheese crackers, three green grapes. Uh-oh. Now I have the hiccups. My tummy feels like it's about to burst! They tried a high kick. Bellies wobbled. Then they tried a crouch. Their belts pinched tight. Stomach Sensei's right. We oversnacked, and it's making us slow and sluggish. When the body whispers stop, slow down, or help, a true ninja listens. Nina and Kai bowed to the snack stash. Arigato, snacks. Stomach Sensei, message received loud and clear. Tonight's training is complete. They tiptoed back into their bedroom, quiet as shadows. In the Snack Dojo, Nina and Kai learned that a wise ninja listens carefully to their body so they can stay in tip-top shape to play and to keep the fun going.