The Garden’s First Rule — Liberty’s Principles Pals, Book 1: Natural Law
Written by Christopher Bradley
Part of the Liberty’s Principles Pals series — 28 books, 28 founding principles
Ande ran through drops of dew,
Her brother Sam came running too.
“Grandma, Grandma, where are you?
It’s planting day — we’ve work to do!”
Grandma smiled with gentle cheer,
As butterflies came floating near.
“The garden shows us every day,
That nature works in its own way.
The world is held by laws so fine,
A grand design, a law divine.”
Ande cried, “I want these seedlings fast!”
Sam clapped and said, “Right now would do.”
They poured on food and cheered with glee,
“Grow now, grow now immediately!”
But soon the stems bent low and weak,
Their leaves turned brown, their roots grew meek.
“Oh why?” cried Ande, full of doubt.
Sam shook his head, “We wore them out.”
Then Terra Turtle shuffled near,
And spoke in tones both calm and clear:
“Dear children, nature has its say,
Its laws don’t bend, they show the way.
Not chains that bind, but gifts to keep,
They help the roots grow strong and deep.”
“See how the sunflower lifts its face,
And turns with sunlight’s steady pace.
It doesn’t rush, it doesn’t fight,
It grows by day and rests by night.
The rules of nature guide each day,
And help all living things to stay.”
Scout the Rabbit hopped in sight,
“My legs are made for leaps so light.
I cannot fly, I cannot swim —
The rules are set, not just a whim.
Like gravity that pulls us all,
These laws are firm, both great and small.”
Buzz the Bee buzzed by the tree,
“Our hive has roles for you and me.
Each bee must dance, each bee must try,
We follow patterns, and here is why:
They’re not restrictions, but the tools
That let us thrive by nature’s rules.”
Flora fluttered, wings so bright,
“Each bloom will open in its light.
Morning dew and evening glow,
Tell us when it’s time to grow.
The garden thrives when laws are true,
And so can every one of you.”
Ande gasped with widening eyes,
As wisdom slowly did arise.
Sam nodded, finally understood:
That rushing never does much good.
Like rivers flowing to the sea,
The laws of life set people free.
With gentle hands, they tried once more,
Planting seeds — carefully, not like before.
Sam gave each seed its space,
Ande poured water, slow with grace.
No magic tricks, no hurried pace,
They followed nature’s law with faith.
Day by day, the garden grew,
Bright with blossoms, strong and true.
Each plant stood tall, each flower sang,
The garden bloomed where patience rang.
By trusting rules both firm and kind,
They found the strength that laws designed.
“I see now, Grandma,” Ande smiled,
Her steps more steady, less so wild.
Sam said with pride, “I’ve learned today,
That patience is the better way.
Like gardens growing slow and strong,
These natural laws right all wrongs.”
“You see natural law at school too,” said Grandma. “When you share your crayons, friends want to play with you. When you grab toys, friends walk away. That’s natural law — kindness naturally brings friendship, and selfishness naturally brings loneliness. Nobody has to make a rule; it just happens!”
The sun went down, the stars did gleam,
The garden glowed with gentle dreams.
“Nature’s rules,” they sang in song,
“Will guide us true our whole lives long.
A gift to keep, both firm and free,
The laws that shape eternity.”
Family Activity: Garden Rules Hunt!
Go outside with your family. Find three things that follow nature’s laws: a leaf that falls, a bird that flies, or a stone that sinks. Share what you found!
A Note for Parents & Teachers
This story introduces Natural Law — the first of 28 principles featured in Liberty’s Principles Pals, inspired by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen’s The 5,000 Year Leap. This list of principles is a modern synthesis of ideas that historical evidence shows influenced America’s founding — not a direct framework written into the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson referred to “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence. Earlier thinkers like Aristotle, Cicero, and biblical authors also pointed to enduring truths that guide both nature and human life. These ideas laid the foundation for the belief that rights are universal and inherent — not granted by rulers, but woven into the order of creation itself.
As you reflect with your child, consider questions such as: What natural rules do you see in your daily life that never change? How might those steady rules help families and communities live fairly together?
By anchoring big ideas in simple experiences, children can begin to understand that freedom rests not on wishes or power, but on timeless laws as old as life itself.
Get the Illustrated Edition: The full-color illustrated version of The Garden’s First Rule is available at libertyprinciplesmedia.com/pals and on Amazon. Each spread features original artwork bringing Ande, Sam, Grandma, and the Garden Friends to life.
Liberty’s Principles Pals is a 28-book children’s series by Christopher Bradley. One principle. One story. One garden where everything grows according to its nature.
Read the full book at Liberty's Principles Pals →