{"product_id":"hop-a-long-free-children-book","title":"HOP A LONG | Free Children Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA new life begins for Aabhas after a tragic accident changes everything. Moving from Pondur to New Jersey, he must adjust to a wheelchair, a new home, and a new way of seeing the world. With the gentle guidance of his grandparents and the inspiring spirit of a one-legged goose named Hop-A-Long, Aabhas learns that hope and strength can be found in unexpected places.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is illegal to use this free children's book for commercial without giving us credit by linking to our website \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/monkeypen.com\/blogs\/free-coloring-books\/\" title=\"Free coloring books\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewww.monkeypen.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Teachers and Educational Institutions, please read our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/monkeypen.com\/pages\/terms-and-conditions-for-teachers-and-educational-institutions\" title=\"Terms \u0026amp; Conditions for Teachers\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eT\u0026amp;C\u003c\/a\u003e before making any use of monkeypen books.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease share our books with your friends and family to support our mission. Thank you \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"u-1\/1 u-2\/2@phab\" style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; float: left; color: #fff; background-color: #dc2050; padding-block: 10px; display: flex; justify-content: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #dc2050;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Long.pdf?v=1764673612\" title=\"Hop a Long- Free Children Book\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cimg id=\"dnld\" style=\"padding: 5px 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/newpdficon_large.png?v=1501485027\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Long.pdf?v=1764673612\" title=\"Hop a Long- Free Children Book\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #ffffff !important;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"border-bottom: none;\"\u003eDownload Free PDF Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/monkeypen.com\/pages\/free-childrens-books\" title=\"Free Children's books\"\u003eClick here to read more Free Children's books\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log2.png?v=1760380865\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log4.png?v=1760380867\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy name is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAabhas, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI would like to share my story with you. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a story that you may \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003efind \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003esad.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou may be asking why I want to share a story that may be sad. There is an easy answer, but I think I will let you find it in my story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI will help you understand by first telling you that nothing is as bad as you first think it might be. That is not to say it is not \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebad or that it \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eis not unhappy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut if \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyou seek \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecomfort, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyou just may find it. I did. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log5.png?v=1760381079\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI now live with my g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003erandfather, Aadi, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003emy g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003erandmother, Aabhal,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe United States. They own a small shop in a small town in New Jersey. It is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeli, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eall of us are quite busy serving the many customers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am a little slow helping them because I must be in a wheelchair, but do not feel bad for me. In time, I will be able to use \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrutches, and maybe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, just maybe, I will be able to walk, run, and hop, as I did in Pondur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI moved here from Pondur, a small town on the Southeast coast of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndia, after \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003emy family and I were in a very bad automobile accident. I am glad my grandparents could bring me to America, as they are now the only family I have. For that, I am most grateful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log6.png?v=1760381120\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI do not remember the accident. I only remember opening my eyes in a hospital and seeing my g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandfather, Aadi \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esitting next to me.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log7.png?v=1760381222\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Grandfather,” I whispered. “What happened?”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs I waited for his \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eresponse, I looked \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eat him, saw him smile, and several tears \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eran \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003edown his cheek.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log8.png?v=1760381418\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe next \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eday, my grandfather, Aadi \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eexplained what had happened in Pondur and that I was in a hospital in America. He also explained that my legs were not \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eworking and that I \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewould need to be in a wheelchair. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMy g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandmother, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAabhal interrupted him and said, “The \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003edoctor \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003etold me that with much work you would be able to use crutches.” Then she looked at me, smiled softly, and said, “Who knows what the future may \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehold?”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI cried for a long time as my g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandmother, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAabhal held me, and we all wept for our losses.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFor several days, I was very angry and sad, but as time passed, I healed and became stronger. I will never understand why everything happened as it \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003edid, but \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMy g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandmother, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAabhal helped me understand that there was a bright future. My g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandfather, Aadi \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehelped me understand that it was up to me to find it.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log9.png?v=1760381480\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn time, I was well enough to be released from the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehospital, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eand even though I was in a wheelchair, I was happy to be going home.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs we left the hospital, I could only see very tall buildings. It was a city like I had never seen before. So many buildings and so much \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enoise- much \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003edifferent from Pondur.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log10.png?v=1760381530\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAfter driving for some time, the tall buildings got \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eshorter, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eand eventually the city turned \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003einto \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003elarge towns and then small towns. The \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003egrey \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ebackground of the buildings slowly disappeared \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eand\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewas replaced \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eby green trees and low, rolling mountains.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWe passed several large \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003elakes, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ethe deep blue water contrasted sharply with the green trees and light blue sky. It was very pretty and, again, much different from Pondur.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log11.png?v=1760381574\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe car slowed and turned from the road into a parking area. “We are here,” g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandmother, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAabhal said with a smile.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log12.png?v=1760381625\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs my g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003erandfather, Aadi \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehelped me into my wheelchair, he explained that during my time in the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehospital, they \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehad \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003emade changes \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eto the home. Ramps replaced \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003estairs, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eeverything \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewas \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003emade to make it easier \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003efor \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eme. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log13.png?v=1760381664\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThey showed me \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003earound, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewhen I was comfortable with my new home, they let me explore the area. Later that \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eday, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ethey brought me to the store and explained what I would be doing to help their customers.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log14.png?v=1760381715\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen I awoke the next morning, I heard many birds in the back of the house. Honk – Honk – Honk - they made such a loud noise. Not the pretty song most birds sing.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log15.png?v=1760381754\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt was \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehard, but \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI got dressed and slid into my wheelchair from the bed. I worked my way through the house and onto the back porch. From \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ethere, I \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ecould see many large birds. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSome are lying \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ein the grass, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eothers are chasing \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eone another, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esome are eating, and others are flying \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ein and out.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI had never seen birds like these and wished I could run through the yard as many were doing. I became sad.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log16.png?v=1760381800\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs I watched the birds and dreamed of chasing them, I heard my grandmother Aabhal \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esay: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“They are Canada \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003egeese, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eand they visit here each fall. Some even stay here all year.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs she bent down to kiss my \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eforehead, she \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewhispered, “I know you are feeling \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esad, but \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eyou will do just fine, even in your wheelchair. In fact, one of those birds has only one \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eleg, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehe survives just fine. I call him Hop-A-Long. Look, you can’t miss him.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“But he has wings and can fly,” I said in a sad voice.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“But you have wheels and can roll,” she replied.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs I looked at each bird, I finally saw Hop-A-Long. Instead of waddling across the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003egrass like \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ethe others, he bounced. Having only one leg did not seem to bother him or the other geese.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMy \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrandmother, Aabhal, smiled \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eand \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esaid, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Watch Hop-A-Long and see how well he does. Think about how hard it must be for him, yet he does not act any differently than the other geese. I think we have something to learn from Hop-A-Long. Why don’t you watch for a\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e while, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewhen you are \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eready, come in and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI will make \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eyou breakfast?” \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eShe then returned to the house.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log17.png?v=1760381873\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI watched Hop-A-Long and the other geese for a while and realised if a one-legged bird could be happy, have friends, and be part of the community, so could I.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMy tummy growled as I turned the wheelchair, pushed on the wheels, and headed inside.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHop-A-Long helped me to understand that not everything is good, fun, or even easy. But you can make the best of every situation.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eI understood how lucky I \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewas, and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003emaybe that is why my mother and father named me Aabhas - “realisation” in my native language.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/086_JOHN_BUILDS_A_BUSINESS25.png?v=1755667593\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log19.png?v=1760381954\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease share our books with your friends and family to support our mission. Thank you \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"u-1\/1 u-2\/2@phab u-1\/2@tab u-1\/2@desk\" style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; float: left; color: #fff; background-color: #dc2050;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #dc2050;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Long.pdf?v=1764673612\" title=\"Hop a Long- Free Children Book\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cimg id=\"dnld\" style=\"padding: 5px 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/newpdficon_large.png?v=1501485027\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Long.pdf?v=1760380437\" title=\"Hop a Long- Free Children Story Book\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"border-bottom: none;\"\u003eDownload Free PDF Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClick here to read more Free\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/monkeypen.com\/pages\/free-childrens-books\" title=\"Children's Books\"\u003eChildren's books\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Monkey Pen Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43156071645278,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2081\/8163\/files\/Hop_a_Log.png?v=1760380867","url":"https:\/\/monkeypen.com\/products\/hop-a-long-free-children-book","provider":"Monkey Pen Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}