The Yes Monster

The Birth of the Yes Monster

Elliot Evergreen was the nicest kid in Maplewood. At least, that’s what everyone said.

“Elliot, can you help me carry these books?”

“Elliot, wanna trade lunches?”

“Elliot, can you be the lead dancer in our talent show about vegetables?”

And every time, Elliot grinned and said, “Sure!”

It wasn’t that he wanted to do the broccoli boogie. But if saying yes made people happy, how could he say no?

Then came The Day of Too Many Yeses.

Elliot agreed to babysit his cousin, help build the school float, and tutor his best friend—all at the same time. He sprinted from one task to another like a juggling octopus. By the time he stumbled home, he was exhausted, starving, and still had a math test to study for.

As he collapsed onto his bed, he groaned, “Why do I feel like a wrung-out dishcloth?”

That night, something strange happened.

All the yeses he had said that day—every single one—floated out of his mouth like tiny, glowing fireflies. They twisted, tangled, and—

POOF!

A creature stood at the foot of his bed. It was round and wobbly, with big, eager eyes and a mouth that only said one thing:

"YES!"

Elliot bolted upright. “Uh… hi?”

"YES!" chirped the creature.

It wiggled with excitement. Its round, marshmallowy body pulsed like it was powered by agreement.

Elliot stared. “Wait. You’re me. But, like… made of yes?”

The creature bounced proudly.

That’s when Elliot noticed something alarming.

The Yes Monster was growing.

The Yes Monster Takes Over

The next morning, Elliot woke up late. He threw on his clothes, grabbed his backpack, and sprinted out the door—only to find the Yes Monster waddling behind him like an eager puppy.

"YES! YES! YES!" it chanted.

At school, things got out of control.

“Elliot, can you help me carry these books?”

"YES!" the monster blurted before Elliot could answer.

“Elliot, wanna be in charge of the bake sale?”

"YES!"

“Elliot, can I have your—”

"YES!"

Elliot didn’t even hear the rest. He was too busy watching the Yes Monster grow.

With every yes, it puffed up like a balloon. It sprouted extra arms to juggle books, a notepad for committee meetings, and a tray for carrying lunches. And it was smiling, basking in the admiration of Elliot’s classmates like a celebrity on a red carpet.

“Wow, Elliot! You’re amazing!”

“You never say no!”

“Elliot for President of Everything!”

The Yes Monster preened, growing even larger.

By lunchtime, it was enormous. Its glowing, wobbly mass stretched across the cafeteria, handing out favors left and right. Elliot could barely see past it.

And then—

BOOM.

The Yes Monster tripped, crashing into the lunch tables. Trays flew. Juice splattered. A mountain of spaghetti exploded across the cafeteria.

Everyone turned to Elliot.

“Elliot! Why didn’t you stop…?!”

Elliot’s stomach twisted. He looked at the clock—

Oh no.

It was his own birthday today. His parents had planned a special dinner, and he’d completely forgotten.

Because he was too busy saying yes to everyone else.

The Yes Monster blinked its big, eager eyes at him.

"YES?" it asked hopefully.

And for the first time ever…

Elliot didn’t want to say yes.

The Battle of No

Elliot clenched his fists.

“No,” he said.

The Yes Monster froze.

Elliot swallowed hard. “I can’t do everything for everyone.”

The Yes Monster’s eager smile faltered.

"…Yes?" it tried.

“No.”

A tiny crack ran through its glowing body.

Elliot took a deep breath. “No, I won’t do all the work on the project.” CRACK!

“No, I can’t join another committee.” POP!

“No, I deserve to eat my own birthday cake.” SPLAT!

The Yes Monster flailed its many arms. "WAIT! WE CAN NEGOTIATE! MAYBE JUST A LITTLE YES?"

“No!” Elliot shouted.

The Yes Monster let out a high-pitched squeak—then split into dozens of tiny yeses that scurried around the cafeteria like startled hamsters.

Elliot stood his ground. “NO. MORE. YESSES.”

With a final POOF, the monster—and all its little yeses—vanished.

The cafeteria went silent. Elliot looked around.

He was still standing. The world hadn’t ended.

And for the first time in forever, he felt light. Free.

The Best Yeses

The next day, someone asked, “Elliot, can you help with my new project?”

Elliot smiled. “I’d love to! But I have a lot going on. Maybe next time?”

His friend nodded. “Okay!”

Okay? That was it? No guilt? No Yes Monster explosion?

Elliot laughed.

He liked helping people. He really did. But now, he’d only say yes when he meant it.

Because some yeses were worth saving.

And some noes?

Some noes made life even better.

Do you ever feel like you say "yes" too much?

Have you ever struggled to set boundaries?

Share your thoughts in the comments—what’s one thing you’ve said no to recently that made your life better?

Let’s talk about the power of protecting our time and energy!

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