Once upon a time, there was a little red Jeep. He was already a grown-up little one because he could refuel himself and even wash his own wheels before bed. And almost every morning, he went with his mum to kindy—that's a special kindergarten just for little cars.
Jeep was a good kid and often listened to grown-ups. But he absolutely hated riding in a car seat. He didn't like having to sit buckled in one spot whilst he was going somewhere. So every time they tried to buckle him in, he'd wave all four wheels about and say he didn't want to go anywhere.
One day, Mum got really tired of arguing with Jeep and let him ride without the car seat. The happy little one hopped onto the free back seat and sang songs the whole way, cheerfully clapping his little doors. He knew Mum was a careful driver, so he wasn't scared to ride unbuckled.
They'd almost arrived and nothing bad had happened. But suddenly, a silly little kitten jumped onto the road! Mum braked hard and swerved to the side, the brakes squealed, and she spun around. Little Jeep, because of the sharp turn, smashed his bumper hard against the back of Mum's seat and fell onto the floor. The kitten wasn't hurt, just frightened that he'd caused an accident, and ran off.
Jeep, darling, are you alright?
Asked the frightened mum-jeep. She opened the door and pulled out her little one.
My bumper hurts! My wheel hurts!
Little Jeep cried.
Mum put him in the car seat and quickly drove to the car hospital. There, the car doctor examined the little patient, stuck a plaster on his bumper, and bandaged his broken wheel. And he said that until it healed, he couldn't run, jump, or play outside. He also told them off for not using the car seat, otherwise everyone would have stayed healthy. Jeep then said:
But we didn't know there'd be an accident! If the kitten hadn't jumped onto the road, nothing bad would've happened!
Nobody knows when trouble will happen. If we knew when something bad was going to happen, we could avoid it. That's exactly why car seats are put in for children. The road is a very dangerous place! At any moment, someone might run onto it, or it might get slippery, or there might be a bump. Then the car has to brake or turn sharply. If a child isn't buckled in, they'll get hurt badly and end up in hospital. Like you.
Jeep answered sadly:
I see... But I don't like the car seat!
The car doctor laughed:
It doesn't have to be liked, it's meant to protect little ones. There are places for playing—playgrounds and your room. And there are dangerous places where you need to be very careful and attentive. And if your parents say it's time to buckle up, then you need to listen and not argue. You didn't listen—now you can't play outside until your wheel heals. But you'll listen to your elders now and only ride in a car seat, won't you?
I will
Little Jeep answered.
And will you ride in a car seat, little one?
