Once upon a time, there was a little red Jeep. He was already a big boy because he could fill up his own tank and even wash his own wheels before bedtime. And almost every morning, he rode with Mom to auto-daycare—a special daycare just for little cars.
Little Jeep was a good child and often listened to grown-ups. But he really didn't like riding in a car seat. He didn't like having to sit buckled in one place while going somewhere. So every time they tried to buckle him in, he would wave all four wheels and say he didn't want to go anywhere.
One day, Mom got really tired of arguing with Little Jeep and let him ride without a car seat. The happy little one settled into the free back seat and sang songs the whole way, cheerfully clapping his little doors. He knew that Mom was a careful driver, so he wasn't afraid to ride unbuckled.
They had almost arrived and nothing bad had happened. But suddenly a silly little kitten jumped into the road! Mom slammed on the brakes and swerved to the side, the brakes squealed, and she spun around. Little Jeep, because of the sudden turn, hit his bumper hard against the back of Mom's seat and fell to the floor. The kitten wasn't hurt, just scared that he had caused an accident, and ran away.
Little Jeep, sweetheart, are you okay?
Asked the frightened mama Jeep. She opened the door and pulled out her little one.
My bumper hurts! My wheel hurts!
Little Jeep cried.
Mom put him in the car seat and quickly drove to the auto-hospital. There, the auto-doctor examined the little patient, put a bandage on his bumper, and wrapped up his broken wheel. He said that until it healed, he couldn't run, jump, or play outside. He also scolded them for not using the car seat, saying otherwise everyone would have stayed healthy. Little Jeep then said:
But we didn't know there would be an accident! If the kitten hadn't jumped into the road, nothing bad would have happened!
Nobody knows when trouble will happen. If we knew when something bad would occur, we could avoid it. That's exactly why car seats are made for children. The road is a very dangerous place! At any moment, someone might run out, or it might get slippery, or there might be a bump. Then the car has to brake or turn suddenly. If a child isn't buckled in, they'll get hurt badly and end up in the hospital. Like you.
Little Jeep sadly replied:
I see... But I don't like car seats!
The auto-doctor laughed:
It doesn't have to be liked—it's supposed 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, 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, right?
I will.
Little Jeep answered.
And will you ride in a car seat, little one?
