Storytelling: Planting Seeds of Kindness and Compassion Towards Animals

By Manila Standard

“This story teaches us to be kind to dogs and cats. Why?” author Lalaine asked more than 30 children gathered in a Church last Sunday afternoon in Montalban, Rizal..

“Because they are also created by God, like us,” the children replied.

“What did the grandmother in the story teach her grand daughter?”

“To be kind to dogs and cats,” the kids said, “To not hurt them,” they added.

Be kind to animals. Do not hurt them. These two important messages were successfully put across by storyteller Lalaine D. Manaog-Danao who wrote the children’s book “Desiree Carlos, ang Journalist na Tagapagtanggol ng mga Strays.”

The storytelling session last August 23 was a joint project of Tails, Trees & Seas.Org., Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), and the Good News Family Worship Center-Montalban. The objective was to plant seeds of compassion, kindness, and responsible pet ownership among children.

“We hope to encourage children to be kind to animals, particularly dogs and cats, because we believe humans who are kind to animals will grow up kind and respectful towards their fellow humans,” Save ALL said.

“Ten years, 20 years, even 50 years from now, our world will be a better place if more humans respect other forms of life and our environment,” said Danao, founder of Tails.

The book tells the inspiring story of Desiree Carlos and how her compassion for stray animals began at an early age. Much of this early influence came from her late grandmother, Lola Belen, who helped nurture in her a deep sense of kindness and concern for animals. From those early lessons of compassion grew a lifelong commitment to animal rescue with the creation of Save ALL. This organization has helped thousands of animals by rescuing abandoned, impounded, or neglected dogs and cats, feeding strays, spaying or neutering, and providing medical care, shelter, rehabilitation, and opportunities for a better life for rescues.

For Carlos, however, rescue is only one part of the mission. Equally important is education—teaching children that compassion can prevent suffering before it begins. Through the storytelling activity, the children were encouraged to understand that animals are living beings capable of feeling hunger, fear, pain, and affection. They were reminded that owning a pet comes with responsibilities that include providing proper food, veterinary care, a safe home, affection, and protection.

Carlos also emphasized the value of responsible pet ownership, including the importance of not abandoning animals and supporting humane approaches to controlling the population of unwanted dogs and cats.

Pastor Rev Arnold Magramo and Teachers Ronalyn Pablo, Ivana Magayano, Jm Obiasca, Lovely Bugayong, Genesis Leal, John Cris Senobio, Yuri Centino, and Camille Centino of the Good News Family Worship Center – Montalban share the belief that teaching children these lessons early will help raise children who will treat animals with greater understanding and respect. Thus, their full support for the project.

The storytelling was not simply about reading a book. It became an opportunity for the children to ask questions, share their experiences, and discover that even small acts of kindness—giving water to a thirsty stray, offering food, reporting an injured animal, or simply treating animals gently—can make a difference.

The partnership between Save ALL and Tails, Trees and Seas Organization Inc. reflects a shared belief that compassion can be taught, nurtured, and passed on to the next generation. Storybooks, according to the organizers, can become powerful tools for helping children understand difficult social and environmental issues in a way that is engaging, memorable, and age-appropriate.

Adding joy to the gathering were a group of animal lovers who volunteered to cook and prepare snacks for the children. They are Niko Gabriel Salgado, Micko Jonas, Marco Labayane, Nikki Guevarra Labayane, and Rachelle Bautista who also distributed the spaghetti, burger, juice and bags of candies to the young participants. This made the event not only educational but also a warm and memorable experience for everyone. 

The smiles of the children, their enthusiasm during the storytelling, and their excitement in receiving books and treats reflected the spirit of the gathering: that learning can be joyful and that kindness can begin with a simple story.

For Carlos, every child who learns to care for a stray represents hope for a kinder future. Her own journey—from a young girl inspired by her Lola Belen to becoming an animal rescuer and advocate who has helped thousands of animals—demonstrates how one compassionate heart can inspire an entire community.

The organizers hope that the children who attended the activity will carry the lessons beyond the walls of the worship center and into their homes and communities. After all, compassion begins with understanding. And sometimes, it begins with a story.

This article also appears in the Manila Standard.