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WELCOME Dear Readers! - All Stories are FREE Online -- simply print off any or all of the stories OR read them to the kids all snuggled in bed from your laptop....

Simply scroll down to the 20 stories, and print off any or all - with our sincere compliments to the children - our future!  - NO FEE, NO CHARGE- no strings attached - our gift to all the kids. From The Genie Press. http://www.merry-go-round.ca/

These stories teach our kids right from wrong, responsibility, self reliance, safety,  honesty, fair play and good manners, etc. - Virtues more important  today, then ever! 

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The charming illustrations herein are by noted maritime artist Iris Currie - former Miss Canada http://iriscurrie.com/   All stories free online for all -  for the kids- our future!

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"THE AMANDA JANE DOES IT AGAIN!" .

The Amanda Jane was a fine fishing boat. She belonged to Mr. Tom Haines, Bobby's father.  Every day Bobby's father would get up early, before it was light and take the Amanda Jane out fishing. He had to start early, in order to get to the fishing grounds, catch some fish and bring them back to the market before nightfall. That was how he earned his money.

But every Saturday morning, because there was no school, Bobby was allowed to go fishing with his dad. It was so much fun to go out to sea in the Amanda Jane, and he was very proud to help his father earn a living. He always took his dog, Spark, along. Spark loved to go out in the boat and he never got sea sick and was a very good dog.

But by and by, there was some trouble with the Amanda Jane. She was not working so well. Her motor was old and she was having a hard time making it to the fishing grounds and back again before night came. In fact, she was getting so slow that Bobby's father was not catching enough fish. And if he didn't catch enough fish, he couldn't save up the money to buy a new motor...

Things were going from bad to worse.

Then one day, Bobby heard his dad say that it would soon be the last trip for the Amanda Jane. There was just not enough money for a new motor, and maybe he should junk the little boat and get a job working on land. It seemed like the best thing to do. Her little motor was all worn out.

"This is terrible!" Bobby told his dog Spark. "Junk the Amanda Jane? She would be gone forever. This just couldn't be!" So Bobby decided to go and talk to his wise old grandfather. He might know what to do.

"Well, now," said Bobby's grand-dad, when Bobby told him the problem. "The Amanda Jane is getting pretty old alright. But she's still a good little boat. I remember when she was first built. There should be a few years left in her yet. You tell your father not to give up, but keep on going. If she breaks down, just radio me and I'll come out in old Betsy and tow you in. But I bet she can make it. You have to have a little faith, my boy."

"Thanks grand-dad," Bobby said. "I know that she can do it." And he ran home feeling much better, for tomorrow was Saturday, the day Bobby and Spark always went out in the Amanda Jane.

"We're going fishing today, aren't we, dad?" Bobby asked, as soon as he got up in the morning.

"I'm afraid not, Bobby," his father said, sadly. "The junk man is coming to take the Amanda Jane today. It looks like she's had it. Even Tim, the mechanic, said perhaps not to take her out. Anyway, she just won't start."

"Oh, no, dad!" Bobby cried. "We can't let the junk man take her. We just can't!" Even Spark started to whine, the way dogs do.

"It looks like there is no other way, son," his father said.

"But dad," Bobby insisted, "the Amanda Jane can do it again. I just know she can. Let's take her out. We can't give up! With just a little more money, we can buy a new motor. And the fishing looks great today. I just know it is!"

"Well, alright son," his father said. "If you really think so. How can I say no to you and Spark here? We'll give her one more try. And if she starts, we'll go. But if not, then off she goes to the junk yard."

So Bobby and his father and Spark got on board the little boat and his dad put the key in.

"Come on, Amanda Jane," Bobby said to himself. "Come on," as hard as he could. And the Amanda Jane gave a huff and a puff, and then...yes, she started!"

"Hooray!" shouted Bobby. "Let's go. I knew she could do it!"

So Bobby and his dad went out fishing once more, with Spark barking on the bow. And the little boat seemed to try even harder because Bobby and Spark were on board. "Puff, puff, puff," went her motor, as best as she could, all the way to the fishing grounds.

And the fishing was extra good that day, just like Bobby had said. They caught lots and lots of fish and could hardly make it back before nightfall, with the heavy load. It was the best fishing trip they had ever had.

When all the fish were sold at the market, (and a loan from Grand Dad) there was just enough money to buy a new motor. With the new motor, they could catch lots of fish and keep the Amanda Jane - and that's just what everybody wanted.

"You were right, Bobby," his father said. "We didn't give up. We all kept going. And the Amanda Jane did -  "Do it again!"

The end boys and girls...........................Good Night, Sleep Tight.

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* Paper back copies are now available as of April,  2011 - autographed by the  author and sent anywhere in Canada or the USA for $20.00 postpaid. To order contact: thegeniepress@gmail.com 

"ROBIN'S NEW DOG."

Robin wanted a dog more than anything else in the world. He had a new bicycle, his own fishing rod and lots of toys - but he didn't have a dog. Only a cat named Miss Puss.

Robin watched his friends with their dogs. They walked them on a leash, they taught them tricks and their dogs jumped and played and ran along with them everywhere.

Robin looked at his cat. "I will change your name to Fido," he said, "and teach you how to be a dog. You will be my new dog."


So Robin got a rope and tied it to Miss Puss's collar. "Come on, Fido, let's go for a walk," he said. And he pulled his cat out on the sidewalk for a walk down the street. But, Miss Puss didn't like being on a leash. She went this way, then that, and would sit down wherever she pleased!


Robin untied the rope on the front lawn. "I will teach you to do tricks," he said. "Roll over, Fido!" and Robin showed Miss Puss how to roll over. "Sit up and beg, Fido!" and Robin showed her how to do it. But Miss Puss would not sit up and beg. In fact, she would not do any of the tricks Robin showed her. She wouldn't even try!

"All right, then," Robin said. "Let's go for a run in the park." So Robin carried his cat across the street and put her down in the grass. "Come on, Fido!" Robin called, and he started to run up the path.


But Miss Puss did not run after him. Instead, she started walking back home. She was thinking of curling up on the big chair for an afternoon nap, the way cats do.

Robin walked slowly back home. "Mommy," Robin said, when he got inside, "MIss Puss
makes a no good dog! " His mother had been watching everything from the window.


"I'm afraid you are right, Robin," his mother said. "But she does make a very good cat. She purrs when you pat her, and she keeps the mice away from our house, and she curls up on your bed when you go to sleep. Miss Puss makes a very good cat. You like your cat, don't you?"


"I guess so..." Robin said. "But I wish she was a dog. Why can't she do what a dog does? It's easy...."


"Sure," said his mother. "Easy for a dog. But hard for a cat. It's not her nature."


"What's that, mommy?" Robin wanted to know.


"Well, Robin, everything has its own nature. That's the way it was made. Cats will seldom do as they are told, like dogs will, but they are quiet and friendly and very good at catching mice. They do things that cats do - naturally. That's just the way they are. Dogs are different, of course. Dogs are good at being dogs. Everything in this world had its own special nature."


"I see," Robin smiled. "And cats make very poor dogs."


"That's right," said his mother. "And that is something to keep in mind, as you grow up. People have different natures too. People are in many ways the same, but in other ways they are different. Some people make good doctors and some people make good teachers and others are good at driving a truck, like your father. Everybody can do something well; it seems to be their nature."


"Me too?" asked Robin.


"Yes, you too," said his mother. "All little boys and girls."


"How will I know what is my nature, mother - what I can do best?"


"That's not hard, Robin," his mother said. "Just try new things as you grow up. That's what growing up is for. You will soon find out what you are good at - what you like to do. Just trust yourself. Maybe you will like playing a piano or being a policeman, who knows? You will discover this as you grow up."


"Wow, that sounds like fun!" Robin said.


"Yes," said his mother, "growing up is fun. It's discovering who you are, and then being yourself. So you can see why Miss Puss didn't want to be a dog. She knew she was a cat."


"Yes," Robin laughed. "And she makes a very good cat, too."

And so she did!
...................................................................................................................................The End.
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"ROBIN'S FIRST GARDEN." (Patience is a Virture)

"Dad," Robin asked his father one spring day, "can I make a garden?" Robin had been watching old Mr. McGarrity across the street, planting his garden and he wanted one of his own.

"Sure," said his father. "That is a great idea. I think every child should have a garden. Having a garden is good for anybody, but especially good for children."

"Hurray!" shouted Robin. "I can dig it myself, and I will have the biggest garden on the whole street."


"Now wait just a minute," his father said. "Perhaps I had better dig it for you, to start. It is very hard to dig. And we don't want to make it too big, either. About three feet by six feet is a good size for a boy. It's a lot of work looking after a garden, so you want something you can handle."


Robin and his Dad found the very best spot in the backyard, and dug it just the right size. "A garden needs to be able to get the rain and the sun," Robin's father told him. "And have good earth. A boy needs a good spot for his first garden - where things can grow easily."


While they were digging, Robin collected some worms in a can, to keep for fishing. "Don't take all the worms, Robin," his father said. "A garden needs worms. They keep the earth good, so plants will grow well."


"They are friends of a garden?" Robin asked.


"They sure are," his father said.


So Robin and his dad planted the garden. Robin wanted to plant corn and apple trees, and pumpkins as big as his belly. But his father explained they could be hard to grow - especially for little boys, and they need a lot of room. Beans and carrots are good for a first garden, and radishes - because they seldom fail and they grow very quickly. And some lettuce, too. And maybe a few sturdy flowers for color, like marigolds and petunias - simple hardy things.


"This will give you a good garden," Robin's dad said, "and teach you more about life and its ways, than I could probably teach you all summer."


Robin tended his garden and watered it, just like his father said. And he put little sticks and string around for a fence, to keep dogs and cats away.

He waited one day, then two days, then three. But nothing happened. Where were his vegetables and pretty flowers? Robin got his little shovel and dug up his beans to see how they were doing. They had big, fat sprouts on them and he showed them to his father, when he got home from work.


"Oh, my," his father said. "You must put them back. They will never grow like that. They need to be left alone to do their work. This is one of the important things you garden will teach you, Robin - patience. You must learn to wait. We all do. Your garden will grow in time, in it's own way."


And so it did. Fine bean plants and radishes and tasty lettuce that Robin could pick and eat as he watered his garden - and pretty flowers he could take in to his mother.

But as Robin learned to wait, and give his garden time, he also got bored with it. There were always so many things a boy could do, besides looking after a garden - like riding his bicycle, playing with friends, and watching lots of television. Looking after a garden was a lot of work.


One day Robin's father noticed Robin's garden wasn't doing too well. It was dry because Robin was forgetting to water it, and weeds were starting to grow everywhere and choke the young vegetables and flowers.


Robin's Dad called him over: "Look at your garden, son," he said. "It needs some attention - a little work. It will never grow well like that. Besides learning to wait, Robin, you must learn to work - to look after things, if you want them to turn out well. That is the second important thing your garden can teach you."


So Robin learned to look after his garden; to pay attention to it, and to work. His garden needed help. That was his job.


"Thanks, dad," Robin said. "You sure know a lot about gardens."

"A little," his father laughed. "


And with a little help and care - and patience, Robin's garden grew to be a fine garden that summer. He was very proud when he brought in his radishes and beans and things to his mother for supper.


But the last thing Robin learned from his garden, he learned all by himself - that it was all worthwhile. That if you worked hard and looked after things, they would turn out well. And of all the beans and radishes and lettuce Robin ever ate that summer, none tasted better than the ones he had grown himself - in his very own garden!
.................................................................................................................................................................

The End, boys and girls - ................................................................Good Night - Sleep Tight
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"SOMETHING BIGGER, SOMETHING BETTER..!"

Robin and his mother were going on the train. They were going to visit Robin's nanny, who lived in a town far away. They had their tickets all ready and their suitcases all packed and they were waiting at the train station. It was almost time to go....


It was very busy at the train station. Everybody was going somewhere and people were very excited. Some people had little suitcases and some people had big ones - so big they could hardly carry them! Robin sat quietly on his bench beside his mother and watched everything. It was his very first train trip.


Robin's father had given him a dollar to spend on the trip. "Now be a good boy," his father had said, "and I will see you in three days." Robin's Dad could not go on the train this time. He had to stay home and work.


Robin asked his mother if he could spend his dollar at the train station canteen. There was everything you could imagine to buy there. There were packages of candy, bags of potato chips and chocolate bars of every kind!


"Now what would you like?" Robin's mother asked him. Robin looked at the chocolate bars, some were bigger than others. And some of the bags of candy were even bigger than the chocolate bars. And the pop corn and the chewing gum!


"Hurry up, Robin," his mother said. "It is almost time to go."

But Robin couldn't hurry up. For every time he decided on one thing, he saw something else even bigger, even better. "I must get something even bigger, even better," he thought.


"Robin," his mother said, "we must go!"


The train was blowing its whistle. But Robin just kept on looking. There were so many things that he could buy.


"Hurry, Lady," the stationmaster called, "your train is leaving..."


"Oh my goodness!" Robin's mother said, and she hurried out of the station, with Robin and the suitcases, as fast as she could go.


Now the very next thing Robin knew, he was sitting on the train, with no chocolate bar, no candy, and no chips.


"Mommy," Robin said, starting to cry, "I have nothing to eat on the train."

"Well, my dear," Robin's mother explained, as she dried his tears. "You wanted something even bigger, even better and now you have nothing at all. Maybe next time you will learn to make up your mind and not be so choosy - before you end up with nothing."


"I will, mommy," Robin said.


"And the next time, my goodness, he did just that!"
...................................................................................................................................
The end boys and girls, Good Night - Sleep Tight.

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"MR. OPPORTUNITY." -

It was Saturday morning, and Robin wanted to go to the show. There was a special movie for children that afternoon, at the theater downtown. Some of Robin's friends were going, and they called him on the telephone to see if he could go, too.

"Mommy," Robin asked his mother, "can I have two dollars and fifty cents for the show this afternoon? It says $2.50 in the paper, and I could with Bernie and Sarah Sara's big sister is taking them."

Robin's mother looked in her purse. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, Robin," she said. "I have only enough money to pay the milkman. We need milk today, and your father won't be home again until suppertime."

"It's not fair!" Robin cried, and he threw himself down in his father's big chair. "The other kids are going. They have money!"

"Maybe so," Robin's mother scolded, "but that is no way to act. We don't have money for everything. Your father works very hard for the money he gets, and does the best he can. There is never enough money for everything, Robin."

"Well, I want to go to the show, mommy. I never get anything!" Robin complained.

"Now, that's not true," said her mother. "Didn't your father buy you that toy airplane you wanted last week?"
 
"Yes," Robin agreed. "But I would like very much to go to the show, mommy." Robin looked very sad. He understood what his mother had told him, but he was still sad.

"Well," said his mother, "if you want to go to the show that badly, maybe you could earn the money. It might be worth a try."

"How can I do that?" Robin asked.

"Now, let's see," said his mother. "Two dollars and fifty cents is a lot of money, but you do have all morning. Maybe there is some work you could do for the neighbors - you might go to the store for somebody, take out the garbage or even mow someone's lawn."

"Okay!" Robin shouted. "Okay!" and he jumped up and ran out the door. His mother had a very good idea. He would earn the money himself.  But after a little while, Robin came back home. He looked sadder than ever.

"It's not working," he told his mother. "All I could earn was fifty cents for taking out the garbage at Mr. Bill's. Some people are not home, and some people don't need any help, and some people don't have any money today either."

"Well, at least you tried," Robin's mother said. "And you do have fifty cents. You only need two more dollars for the show. Maybe you could try harder. Let us sit out on the front steps and see if we can hear "Mr. Opportunity"knocking. They say he is always knocking, if only you listen."

"What does that mean, mommy?" Robin asked.

"It means that there is always a way, Robin. If only you can find it. It is always there. But sometimes you have to look very hard to find that way - to hear Mr. Opportunity knocking."


Just then, along came Mr. Manny, the milkman. He looked very tired.

"You are late today," Robin's mother remarked.


"Yes," Mr. Manny said. "My helper, Jim, had to go to the dentist this morning and so I have to work all by myself. And I am getting behind."


Robin watched sadly as his mother gave Mr. Manny the money for the milk. But then he jumped up.

"Mommy, I hear Mr. Opportunity knocking!" And Robin's eyes were as big as silver dollars.

"Mr. Manny," Robin said excitedly, "do you need a boy to deliver the milk? I could run back and forth to the truck for you. "

"Well, yes I do," said Mr. Manny.

"And could you pay two dollars if I worked all morning?"

"Yes, yes I certainly could," said the milkman. "If it's alright with your mother, that is." Robin's mother was happy to say yes.

So Robin worked hard all morning and he earned his two dollars and he had enough money for the show. He was a little tired, and he didn't have any money left over for popcorn or candy, but that didn't matter. He had earned the money all by himself, and it was the best show he had ever seen.

When Robin's father came home that evening and heard the story, he was very pleased.

"Good work, Robin," his father said. "Mr. Opportunity is always knocking - if only you listen hard enough."
.................................

The End, boys and girls - Sleep Tight & Good Night.

NANCY'S NEW SHOES.

Nancy was a pretty little girl and her mother always tried to dress her in nice clothes. One day Nancy's mother said: "I think it is time you had a new pair of shoes, Nancy. I have saved up enough money for them."


Nancy looked at her old sneakers. They were getting a little scuffed and worn, but they still felt right. And Nancy and her old sneakers were very good friends. They could run and jump together all day long, and Nancy's feet would never get tired or sore.


But Nancy felt a little sad. "Will I have to throw my old sneakers away, mother?" she asked. Nancy wanted new shoes, but she didn't like to say goodbye to old friends.


"Oh, goodness, no," her mother said. "You can keep them awhile yet. They are still good for playing in. But it would be nice to have some new shoes for special occasions and dress-up."


So Nancy and her mother went downtown to buy a pair of brand new shoes. They looked in one store window and then another, until they found just the kind that Nancy wanted.

Nancy and her mom went into the store and the salesclerk took the new shoes out of the window. Her mother looked them over. "The price is right," she said. "I have just enough money for them."


The salesclerk helped Nancy off with her old sneakers and on with the new shoes.

"Oh, dear," her mother said. "I'm afraid they are a little big." Nancy looked very unhappy.


"Just a minute," the salesclerk said. "I have some more of these out back in the stockroom. I'll just go and see if we have a pair a little smaller."


"Oh, I do hope so," said Nancy. "They are the prettiest little shoes I have ever seen!"


"Try these on," the salesclerk said, when he came back with another pair. "They look a little better." And when Nancy did, they fit perfectly.


"Now, they will take a little time to break in," the salesclerk said, as he wrapped them up. "They will be a little stiff at first. All new shoes are like that. You must wear them a little until they loosen up. But soon they will be like old friends."


Nancy Jean was very excited. She skipped all the way home, with her new shoes held tightly in her arms. And she didn't even mind there was no money left over to buy an ice cream at the Avon Street store - because she had the prettiest new shoes in town!

Now the very next day, Nancy's school was having a picnic. And of course, Nancy wanted to wear her brand new shoes.

"I think you had better wear your sneakers," her mother said. "There will be lots of skipping and jumping and races to run. Your old sneakers will be just right for that." But Nancy would not listen. She wanted to wear her new shoes to the picnic and would hear of nothing else.

"Very well," her mother said. "But I think you are making a mistake."

So away Nancy scampered to the picnic in her brand new shoes. She could hardly wait to get there. She was so excited that her big blue eyes sparkled almost as much as her shiny new shoes.

But when Nancy came home after school, she was not so happy. In fact, she could hardly keep back the tears at all.
 
"Mommy," she cried, "my shiny new shoes hurt my feet. And they were no good for running or jumping in, and I came last in all the races."


"Well, my dear," her mother said, "I think you have learned a lesson. Sometimes what is bright and shiny is not always best. Sometimes it is better to wear the right thing for the right purpose. The clothes must suit the occasion. What do you think, Nancy?"


"I think you are right, mother," Nancy said.

And so she was.
........................................................................................................................................................................
The End - boys and girls - Now Good Night & Sleep Tight.
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"SAMMY PIKE'S NEW BIKE!"

Today was grading day. 

Sammy Pike was grading from primary to grade one. He had worked hard all year and made good marks and tried to do what his teacher said. And now it was the last day of school, and grading day was finally here.

But, more important than that, today was the day Sammy Pike was to get a new bicycle - his first two-wheeler. His dad had promised him one if he graded. And "Congratulations!" his teacher had said, he did just that!

Out the school door Sammy flew like the wind with his grading certificate in one hand and his report card in the other; up the street passing all the other kids, his feet could not stop running.

He knew brand new two-wheeled bicycles cost a lot of money. And that his dad didn't have much money left over after buying groceries and paying bills. "Are you saving any money for my bike?" Sammy kept asking his dad every week. "I hope you can save up some."

"Don't you worry," his father said. "That's my job. Your job is to pass. Let me worry about the money."

"It's okay if you can't get it, dad," Sammy said. "I'll understand. Or at least if you have only enough money to buy a used one."

"I'll do what I can," his father told him. "I will certainly try."

And now the big day was here and Sammy was almost home. He took off his jacket to run faster in the warm, June sun. Into the house he bounced: "Mom! Dad! I'm home. I graded! I graded! Look!"

And he handed his mother his report card and certificate as she came out of the kitchen. She gave him a great big kiss and hug.

Sammy knew his father had come home early from work because his car was in the driveway. But where was he? Sammy ran from one room to the other before his mother could stop him. But there was no dad and no bicycle. Suddenly, he heard his father calling him, out on the front lawn.

Sammy rushed out the door and there was his dad, holding the most beautiful new bicycle that Sammy had ever seen.

"Wow!" yelled Sammy. "A brand new bike! This is the greatest day in the whole world." And he couldn't stop jumping up and down.

"How do you like her?" his father asked.

"Great!" Sammy said. "She's just great." He could hardly believe his eyes. "Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad. Wow! Can I hold her?" Sammy asked.

"Sure, she's all yours," said his father.

Sammy held onto the bicycle, but he didn't have to. It had a fine pair of shiny silver training wheels and could stand up all by itself.

"Want to get on?" his father asked.

"Sure!," Sammy said. And up he got with some help from his dad.

"Hold it," said his mother. She had the camera all ready.

"Smile...Happy Grading Day!" And his mother took a picture for the family album.

Sammy gave his new bike a kiss. "I'm going to call her 'Speedy'," he decided.

" 'Speedy' is a good name," his father agreed. "But don't drive her too fast. You must be careful with a two-wheeled bike."

So Sammy and his dad went up and down the sidewalk, his father explaining how to ride her, the basic safety rules, and where he could and could not go.

Sammy found it was very hard to ride a two-wheeled bike. It was certainly not like his little tricycle. It looked so easy watching the big kids riding on theirs. But Sammy's father explained that in time Sammy would learn, too. It would take practice, but after awhile he would get it and it would be as easy as pie. Then they would take the training wheels off and away Sammy would go. But, it would be best to keep them on for now.

That night Sammy had 'Speedy' parked safely at the end of his bed. He lay on his pillow and looked at her. She gleamed in the faint hall light stealing into his bedroom.

"Thanks, dad," Sammy said, when his father came in to check on him. "I know it cost a lot of money and everything. But it's the greatest."

"That's okay, son. You deserve it. I told you I'd get you a new bike if you graded. That was the deal. And you mother and I found a way. But be sure to take good care of her. We couldn't buy you another one."

"I will," Sammy told him.

"Dad," Sammy asked, just before he fell asleep. "This is the greatest day. Will you write a story about it?"

"Sure," said his father. "And what shall we call it?"

Sammy thought for a moment, "Sammy Pike's New Bike," he said.

And that very night his father did just that.
............................................................................................................................................The End.
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" BORROW, BORROW, RETURN TOMORROW...."

Once there was a family that borrowed almost everything. 

If the father needed a lawn mower to cut the grass, he would borrow one from his neighbors. And if the mother needed eggs for baking, she would just borrow them from the lady next door.

Even the children borrowed things. The little boy borrowed a bicycle from his friend when he wanted to go for a ride, and the little girl borrowed dishes and dolls and everything else she could. It seemed that even their dog came home with things that did not belong to him.

But the trouble with all this was, the family would never take things back. They would never return them. It was not that they were bad people, and wanted to keep everything - no. It was just that it didn't seem important to return things right away. After all, they could take them back tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that. But they never did.

So the man next door had to ASK for his lawn mower back, when it was time to cut HIS grass - and he found it had been left out in the rain. The little boy across the street had to come over and get HIS bicycle - it was just left lying in the driveway. And the little girl's friends who had lent her dolls and toys, never did get all of them back - some were lost.

People in the neighborhood were disappointed with the family that borrowed everything. They didn't mind lending things to friends and neighbors. That was alright. But they expected to have their property returned promptly and in good condition.  Wouldn't you?

Now it so happened, that the factory where this father worked was closing down and moving to another town.

"All you men will have to move," the boss told them, "if you want to keep you jobs. I will give you time enough to move and find a new house."

The man who borrowed everything went home and told his wife. "Well, we must pack," she said. "We can borrow Mr. Laffin's cart to move our things. I'm sure he won't mind."

But when the neighbors heard about this, they came and took back everything the family had borrowed. They took back their garden tools; their pots and pans, this and that, and almost everything else. When the man and his wife had looked around, they had very little left.

"Well, I guess we really don't have much of our own, after all," the man said. "We borrowed almost everything."

"Never mind," his wife said. "It will be less to move, and what is left will easily fit into Mr. Laffin's cart. You go and borrow the cart," she told her husband, "and you children go and borrow a trunk for your toys. Then we will be ready."

But when the man who borrowed everything asked for a lend of Mr. Laffin's cart, for only one day, Mr. Laffin said no. "I'm sorry," he said, "but you never return things promptly. This time I have to say no."

And wherever the children went, from door to door, nobody in the neighborhood would lend them a trunk. Everybody said no. It was not that the neighbors were mean or selfish and didn't want to help. It was just that they didn't trust this family anymore. You just can't lend things to people who wouldn't return them. You never knew if you would get them back or not.

The man came home and sadly told his wife - no cart. And when the little boy and girl returned, they said that nobody would lend them anything. In fact, at one house, the neighbor's children sang: "There goes the 'Borrow, Borrow, Return Tomorrow Family!"

"That's not very nice," their mother said, with a sigh. "But I'm afraid we deserve it. We will just have to walk to our new house - and carry what we have. There is not much left anyway."

"That will be pretty hard," the father said, "but you are right. We borrow too much and we never take things back and now nobody will help us anymore. You can't blame them. That's what happens."

The children looked disappointed, but they listened to what their father said. Something was certainly wrong.

"I think we have all learned a lesson," their father said in a serious voice. "And in our new neighborhood we must try and be different. We will not borrow things from people all the time, and if we do borrow something, we will take it back promptly and in good condition."

Everyone agreed. That was the right thing to do. They didn't want to be "The Borrow, Borrow, Return Tomorrow Family" anymore.

And, they never were. .....................................................................................The End

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"TOO LATE, CAN'T WAIT!" -

Robin was a good little boy, but he was starting to be late for almost everything. When eating supper, he was always the last one finished. And when getting dressed in the morning it took him ever so long.

But the worst thing was, Robin was starting to be late for school. His mother would hurry him as best she could and finally get him out the door.

"Now don't be late, Robin," she always told him. "Don't dawdle along the way and please get to school on time."

"Okay, mommy," Robin promised. "I will."

But there were always so many interesting things to see on the way: the oil truck driver was delivering oil to a house, and Robin just had to watch; there was a cat to pat down by Mrs. Baker's, and you never knew when a frog would be under the Avon Street Bridge - so many things! And it didn't seem important to hurry all the time. Oh, Oh, Robin was late for school again!

Robin's teacher was not pleased. This time she kept him in after school, to have a little talk. Robin promised his teacher he would try to do better. He really didn't mean to be late. And the next day he did make it - only just in time. But soon Robin was back to his old tricks, stopping here and there along the way, and late again. It seemed there was nothing his teacher could do.

Now it so happened that Robin's class was to go to the circus that afternoon. All the children were very excited. The animal circus would be in town for just one day.

"Now be on time," the teacher told the class. "You have to be here at one o'clock, as usual. The bus to the circus will leave at one o'clock sharp." And she gave the children notices to show their parents.

"Wow!" Robin exclaimed as he hurried home for dinner. "The circus - I can really go to the circus!" And he told his mother all about it.

"Now be sure to be on time, Robin," his mother said. "The notice says the bus will leave at one o'clock. You must be there."

"I will, Mommy," Robin said. "I will."

But it was a long way to school. And there were always so many things to see. There was lots of time and he had left a bit early, anyway.

"Come on, Robin," his friends said, when they passed him on the way.

"I'll be right there," Robin called, but he stopped to pick up some new bottle caps he saw on the ground in front of Mr. Tim's store. And today there was the biggest frog under the Avon Street bridge.

When Robin finally did get back to school, the bus was all ready to go. The children were all on board, safely in their seats and the driver had closed the door and had even started the engine.

Robin's teacher was sitting up front, next to the driver. It was one o'clock. She saw Robin coming down the street, late again as usual. Robin waved at the bus. "Stop, it's me!" he called. "It's me!"

"Should I wait for this little boy?" the driver asked the teacher.

Robin's teacher thought for a moment. Then she decided. "No," she said. "I'd like to, but I'm afraid it is time that little boy learned a lesson."

Robin waved at the bus again. But it didn't stop. As the bus passed by Robin, the driver rolled down the window.

"Too late, can't wait!" he called.

And the bus to the circus disappeared around the corner with all of Robin's friends - and Robin's empty seat.

Robin set down on the sidewalk. "Too late, can't wait," he said and started to cry. Robin was very unhappy. He had missed the bus to the circus. He was late again.

Robin walked back to Mr. Tim's store and climbed up on the steps. He sat there all by himself. He was very sorry he had been late. And every time he remembered the bus driver's words, "Too Late, Can't Wait!" " tears came to his eyes.

Now Robin's dad came home early from work that day. He saw Robin sitting on the steps of Mr. Tim's store, and he stopped the car.

"What's the matter, son?" his father asked. "I thought you were supposed to be in school?" Robin got into the car and told his father everything that had happened.

"I see," said his dad, when Robin had finished. "A very sad story. But now maybe you will learn to be on time. It is important. Especially as you grow older. . Even I have to be on time for things, Robin, and I'm a grown-up. It's no good being poky and late - no good at all. It is just as easy to be on time. It's a hard thing to learn, by missing the circus, but I'm sure you understand now."

"Yes, Sir. I sure do," Robin told his dad.

And, he certainly did.
.........................................................................................................................................The End.
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"SILLY SALLY AND THE TOY BALLOON."

Sally had been to the circus. She had been on the Ferris wheel and on the roller coaster and on some rides she couldn't even remember. She had had cotton candy and hot dogs and lots of other things to eat. But the thing she liked best, was her toy balloon.

Indeed, it was a special balloon - filled with helium - a gas that is lighter than air. This made the balloon float all by itself. Sally had to always hold onto the string so the balloon wouldn't float away. If she didn't, it would float right up to the sky and never be seen again.

But it was a wonderful balloon. There was nothing else like it! She had bought it from a circus man with her last fifty cents. The man had all kinds of balloons on a string, of every size and color. He had so many that Sally wondered why he didn't float away himself? But he didn't.

Now, when Sally got home, whenever she let go of her balloon it floated up to the ceiling - and stayed there. Her mother had to get it down every time. "Oh, my!" said Sally, "I can't hold onto my toy balloon all day long. It keeps on wanting to float away."

"Well," said her mother, "maybe we should tie something heavy on the end of the string. Something that will keep it from floating away." So Sally got a little candy cane and tied it onto the string of her toy balloon. And it worked just perfectly.

Now Sally could leave her balloon in any room of the house and it wouldn't float up and get stuck on the ceiling. The weight on the end of the string kept it down.

"My, what a good idea," Sally's mommy said, and went back to work.

Sally looked out the window. She decided to take her toy balloon outside. It was a windy, sunny day, with the leaves blowing around in circles in the driveway. A perfect day for a toy balloon.

When Sally took her balloon outside, it no longer stayed still, but blew this way and that, all around the yard. It was such fun chasing it. As soon as she caught it, then off it would go again with the little candy cane dangling on the end of the string. Sally and her toy balloon were playing tag with the wind. It was almost as much fun as the circus!

But suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew the little balloon across the driveway and out to the front lawn. And away went Sally chasing it, laughing all the time. Then it blew over the lawn, across the sidewalk and onto the street.

Sally chased after it, and she couldn't stop laughing. But she didn't stop on the front lawn and she didn't stop on the sidewalk, but ran right out into the street - without looking!

"Screech! Screech!" went the tires of a big cement truck as the driver slammed on his brakes.

"Pop!" went the toy balloon as the big tires ran right over it. "Help!" cried Sally, as the big truck stopped right at the end of her nose.

Mr. Goodwin, the truck driver, got out of his truck. He was very angry. "SILLY Sally," he said, "NEVER run out on the street chasing toys - or anything else! You can get hurt or run over! Look what happened to your toy balloon here. It could have been you. You were lucky this time. But next time it might be different. Cars and trucks cannot always stop in time.

Don't be Silly Sally," he continued, "you can always get a new toy. They are not worth getting squashed for. Now go on home, dear, and think about what I said."

"I will, Mr. Goodwin," Sally told him. She was very frightened. "And I won't be a silly Sally ever again."

And, boys and girls - she never was!
............................................................................................................................................The End
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"FATHERS AND SONS.."

Robin was bored silly. His dad was working all week and his mother was busy with the twins and it had rained too many days. There was nothing to do. Or, nothing he hadn't done already.

"Dad..." Robin said, when his father came home for lunch. "I'm bored silly."

"Now where did you hear that?" his father laughed.

"Mom says it sometimes," Robin said " - and there's nothing to do. Dad, can we go fishing?"

"Well," said his father, finishing up his tea. "I'd like to. I surely would. But I've to to get back to work. We'll go fishing on Sunday, like I promised."

"But I want to go right now," Robin complained. "You're always working and mom is so busy and it's never Sunday!"

"Now hold on just a minute," his father said. "Calm down. Sunday is the day after tomorrow. Why don't you play with your toys or go over and call for Billy?"

"I did that," Robin said, "and Billy's sick or something. Besides, dad, I want to go with you." Robin was pretty said.

His father looked at his watch. "My, I've got to be going," he said, and got up from the table.

"But, dad..." Robin whined.

"Robin!" his mother scolded, as she came in from the clothesline. "Leave your father alone, dear. You know he's got to get back to work."

His father put on his hat, bent down and gave Robin a quick hug. "I'll be back, Peg, as soon as I can. - See you suppertime, son." And he headed out the door.

Robin followed after him and sat down on the front steps.

His father looked back for a goodbye wave. But Robin wasn't watching. He had his head down in his hands and he looked like he was crying.

His father checked his watch again, hesitated a moment, then turned off the motor of the car and got out.

"Come here, son," he said. "Come over here and sit down."

Robin came over and put his arms around his father's big leg. "Dad, I want to come with you," he sobbed. "We never get to go anywhere..."

"I know," said his father, softly, "I know." And he picked Robin up and sat him down on the hood of the car.

"Hey, there - let's dry your eyes," and he pulled out his big, white handkerchief.

"Listen to me, son," he said. "I know it's hard. But I've got to work. It's hard on me, too. There's nothing I like more in this world than spending time with you. But people have to work, especially fathers.

There's groceries to buy and rent to pay and money for things that kids don't know anything about. And the only way I can get it, son, is to work - and to work hard."

"But every day, dad?" Robin asked, looking up at his father.

"Well, almost....we need the money. And I don't have much choice right now.

It's my job to look after the family - Number One. It's the big problem fathers all over the world have. They want to be home more, but they can't. It's hard being a father - and lonely too, sometimes. But it's our job and we try to do it. Your mother helps with
too, with her part time job at the library and her night courses, but you know
you have a little baby brother or sister on the way...
We get some time together," his father said, "now don't we? And soon, there'll be more. We're going fishing on Sunday for sure. It won't be long. And it'll be lots of fun."
"I guess so..." Robin answered.

"Hey, now," his father continued, "and we're still pretty lucky. Look, some father have to o away to work - far away. Fathers in the army, and fishermen who go on the ocean, and lots of men like that. So, see how lucky we are - we have some time together. I know it's not much. And when things are better, there will be more. I promise.

But we'll always have to work, Robin - at least until you're grown up."

Robin nodded his head.

"Now I've really got to go, son. I'm late already. You dig some worms and get them ready for Sunday, eh?"

Robin's face brightened a little. But his father still hesitated. "You understand, don't you, son?...Some day you'll have kids of your own - and, when you grow up, you'll understand more."

"Will I, dad?" Robin asked."Sure," said his father. "That's what 'grown-up' is about. Understanding. - Okay?"

"Okay," said Robin.

"Good," said his dad.
And he drove off down the street, the way fathers do.

................................................................................................................................The End
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Nancy Jean and the Dream Machine

Nancy Jean was six years old and she was tired of almost everything. She was tired of going to school everyday, she was tired of playing with her toys, and she was even tired of watching her favorite programs on T.V.

Then one day, Nancy had an idea. She would build a dream machine - a magical dream machine that would take her anywhere she wanted to go and, make her into anything she wanted to be. It was a wonderful idea!

So Nancy got some old boxes and some string, and a little bit of this, and a little of that, and built a Dream Machine. And when it was all finished, she got inside and pushed the starter button and closed her eyes. Then away she went to the "Land of Snowbells," where it was Christmas every day. Her dream machine worked perfectly.

"What are those old boxes you have there?" Nancy's mother asked.

"Oh, nothing, mother," Nancy told her.

"Well, I think we should throw them downstairs and clean this room up a little."

"Oh, please don't!" Nancy begged. "I worked so hard on them."

"Alright," her mother said. "If they are so important to you. But keep them in the corner, please."

So Nancy kept her Dream Machine. And now whenever she was tired or bored, she would just press the start button and away she would go to the "Land of Daydreams!"

Sometimes she would be a Princess in a giant castle. Sometimes she would be a movie star on television, and sometimes she would just go to the "Land of Yes-You-Can," where there were no schools and no grown-ups and children could play all day
and do just as they liked!

It was a very wonderful machine and Nancy Jean's special secret. But there was one problem. Nancy could not take her dream machine to school with her; or to the babysitters, or even when she had to go shopping with her mother. There were so many times when Nancy wished her dream could rescue her - but it was always way back home.

"I know," Nancy thought one day. "I will make a special button that will start my dream machine wherever I am." So she got an old tarnished ring from her mother and put some tape on it, so it would fit on her little finger perfectly.

"This will do just fine," Nancy said. "Now wherever I am, I need only turn this ring and it will start my Dream Machine. Then I can go wherever I wish and be whatever I want!"

So now at school, when Nancy should have been studying her lessons, she simply turned her ring and flew off to "Goodness-Knows-Where." And when she went shopping with her mother, she turned her magic ring again and made all the stores free, so she could have everything and anything she wanted.

Now that very afternoon, Nancy was walking home from school, with a note from her teacher. And of course, she had her Dream Machine on again. This time she was a beautiful butterfly, stopping at every pretty flower along the way. Nancy was so lost in her dream that she didn't notice the big hole in the street where some men were working. "DANGER!" the sign read. But Nancy didn't see it - she was daydreaming...

"Stop, little girl!" a workman shouted, just before Nancy would have fallen into the deep hole.

"Oh, dear!" cried Nancy Jean. "I could have been badly hurt! Something must be very wrong with my Dream Machine." And so she ran home with the note, and told her mother the whole story.

"I see," said her mother, when Nancy had told her all about the Dream Machine. "I thought you were acting a little strange, and your teacher was worried, too. She says so in this note.

It's nice to daydream, Nancy, but not all the time. And especially not when you should be doing other things, like your school work, or walking safely along the street.

Save your Dream Machine for going to bed at night, or when you are snuggled up in your father's big chair on a rainy afternoon. It's good to daydream a little, Nancy,
everybody does. But there is a time and place for daydreams, and a time for living in the real, wonderful world. Do you understand, my darling?" her mother asked.

"Yes, mother," Nancy said, "I do now."

And she certainly did. ................................................................................The End. 

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"KIT-KAT DON'T DO THAT! "

Kit-Kat Rogers was a mischievous little girl and she loved to play tricks on all her friends. It seemed to be just so much fun. One day, she thought of an especially good idea. She would invite her friend Nancy Jean over for a little dinner party. Her mother said it would be alright. "Now what do you think you girls would like to have?" her mother asked. "Hot dogs and pop, maybe?"

"No!" said Kit-Kat, with a twinkle in her eye. "We would like to have fried baloney and macaroni."

"Alright," her mother said. "If that's what you want. I'll have it all ready for three o'clock. You get your little table and chairs set up, and call Nancy Jean."

Nancy Jean was very pleased to be invited to the dinner party. Her mother dressed her in her finest clothes and she arrived promptly at three o'clock, all ready to dine.

"Oh, thank you for inviting me," Nancy said. "You are very kind."

"It's my pleasure," Kit-Kat told her, but she could hardly keep from laughing.

Now when Kit-Kat's mother brought over the little plates of friend baloney and macaroni, Kit-Kat jumped right in and started eating heartily. "Mmm...this is so good," she said.

But Nancy Jean could hardly eat a bite. If there was anything she couldn't stand it was fried baloney and macaroni...and grape pop - oh, no! She was very disappointed. Kit-Kat knew that she did not like this dinner. It was just another one of Kit-Kat Roger's terrible tricks!

Now of course, Nancy Jean was very angry. But being the good natured level headed little girl she was, she said nothing and told Kit-Kat's mother she was just not hungry today.

"My, what a shame," Kit-Kat's mother said.

Kit-Kat just laughed. "Oh, I can't imagine why?" she said. "It tastes so-o-o good." And she ate every last bite.

Now a few days went by, and Kit-Kat received an invitation to come to Nancy's house for dinner. Kit-Kat was very excited. She washed and dressed and arrived at Nancy Jean's house at exactly the appointed time - all ready for a wonderful and tasty meal.

"Thank you so much for inviting me, Nancy," Kit-Kat said. "You are so very kind."

"Believe me," said Nancy Jean. "The pleasure is all mine."

So the two little girls sat down to dinner in their finest dresses, all ready to eat. They were very hungry, indeed.

But you can imagine Kit-Kat's surprise when Nancy's mother brought over the dinner. It was creamed asparagus and lime pop.

"Oh dear!" cried Kit-Kat. "I can't eat this. It's the only thing I really can't stand!" And she jumped up and ran home to her mother in tears.

"It isn't fair" Kit-Kat said, when she told her mother all about it. "And it isn't very nice either!" she cried.

"I'm afraid someone has played a trick back on you, this time," her mother said. "I'm sure Nancy was not trying to be mean, but just teaching you a lesson."

"Well it's a hard way to learn," Kit-Kat said.

"Maybe so," her mother agreed. "But you play far too many tricks on people, my dear. I keep telling you, 'Kit-Kat, don't do that!' But you won't listen and go right ahead and do it anyway. It may be fun for you, but it's not fun for your friends. It hurts them and makes them angry and if you keep it up, soon you will have no friends at all."

"I can see that now," Kit-Kat said. "It seems like so much fun to play tricks on other people. But I didn't know it hurt them and made them angry - until someone played one back on me."

And after that, whenever Kit-Kat wanted to play a trick on someone, ever so badly, and it seemed like so much fun, she remembered her mother's wise words:

"Kit-Kat don't do that!"

These words reminded her that you shouldn't play tricks on people, unless you liked having the same tricks played back on you.

And from that day on, she never played mean little tricks on anyone, ever again.

....................................The end, boys and girls. Good Night, Sleep Tight - Mr. Nickle Penny.
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"SERVICE STATION."

Robin and his dad were going to the garage. The car needed to be fixed. Well, not fixed really, but to have its oil changed and a grease job. "It is something that has to be done his father explained. "All cars need it."

"Why do cars need grease and oil, dad?" Robin asked his father. "So they can go?"

"Well, not exactly, Robin," his dad said. "Gas makes them go. But it is the grease and oil that makes them run smoothly."

So Robin and his dad drove down to Mr. Casey's Service Station. Robin was very excited. He was going to see the cars go high in the air. The garage had a hoist that could life cars right off the ground. It must be the strongest thing in the world!

And Robin could watch. It was Saturday morning and Robin could spend time with his dad and go right into a real service station and watch. "Wow! Maybe I'll be a mechanic when I grow up," Robin thought.

Mr. Casey's service station was very busy. Some people were getting tires changed; some people were having their cars fixed and others, were just getting gas to drive around.

Robin and his dad went inside. "Now be careful," Robin's father said. "We must be extra careful in a garage. The men are very busy and there are a lot of things in a garage that can hurt you - by accident. We must stand out of the way and not touch anything, and do whatever the garage man says."

"We will!" said Robin. He was happy to go inside a real garage.

Inside, Mr. Casey was indeed very busy. The telephone was ringing and people were waiting and his helper was busy putting gas in people's cars. Mr. Casey looked tired.

"Can you do our car, Mr. Casey?" Robin's father asked politely. But Mr. Casey said nothing. "Do you have time for a grease and oil job, Mr. Casey?" Robin's dad asked again.

Mr. Casey put down his tools. "What!" he said. "Goodness gracious, I can't do everything. Go and stand over there!" And he went back to work.

Robin's father looked angry. Mr. Casey did not talk in nice voice and Robin was a little scared. But his father said nothing; just looked out the window and rubbed his forehead. Then he walked back over to see Mr. Casey.

"Mr. Casey, Sir," he said politely, but in a firm voice. "If you do not have time for us today, then please tell us, and we will be glad to come back another day. That's only fair."

Mr. Casey looked up from under a car, wiping his greasy hands on a rag. Robin was listening to everything.

"I'm sorry, Jim," Mr. Casey said, after a moment. "I don't mean to be rude. But it's been one of those days. You and your boy wait out front - have a pop - there's some in the cooler. And I'll get you in right after this car. It won't be long."

"Thanks, Mr. Casey," Robin's father said.

"Boy!" said Robin, when they set down. "Mr. Casey seemed pretty mad. I didn't think he liked us."

"Sure he did," Robin's father said. "But he was busy and tired and forgot his manners. People do that sometimes, even grown-ups. That's why it's important to always remember yours, son - to always be polite."

"Manners are important?" asked Robin. "Even when people are mean to you?"

"They sure are," said his father. "They smooth things over, Robin, and they help people get along with people. We need them, to help things run smoothly."

"You mean they are oil and grease for people?" Robin asked.

"Yes," said his father, laughing. "I guess they are. They help everything run smoothly, alright. My! You are certainly growing up, my boy," Robin's dad said, and he looked especially pleased.

"Yes," said Robin, "I sure am. And I'm going to be just like you, dad."

"Better," his father said, "Better!"

......................................................................................................................................The End.
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"THE VERY EXPENSIVE DOLLAR."

Nancy Jean and her mother were going to a concert. A real grown-up concert - at night. Her mother's club was putting on a special show and children were allowed to go, if their parents took them. It was down at the school auditorium, and it was at night.

"Oh, please can I go with you?" Nancy begged her mother. "Please, please, please!"

"Well, alright," her mother said. "If you promise to behave. I think you are just about old enough. If you're not too tired...?"

"Oh, no, mommy, I'm not," said Nancy Jean. "I'm not tired at all."

"Okay," said her mother, smiling. "Let's pick out a nice dress."

So Nancy and her mother got into the car and went down to the concert. It was very crowded at the parking lot. And Nancy never thought her school could look so pretty. It was all lit up like a fairy castle, and hardly looked like a school at all.

A nice man held the door open, and they went inside and got in line. You had to buy tickets to get into the concert; there was a lady at a table with a little box, who took the money.

Nancy had never seen so many grown-ups. But here and there, a few children appeared, all dressed up and bubbling with enthusiasm. Nancy just stared at everything.

"Now let's see," her mother said. "We will need some money." And she dug into her purse. "Here's your dollar," she said, and handed Nancy a crinkly green, dollar bill. "Children under six get in for free, but six and over have to pay a dollar. And you were just six."
"Is that what the sign says, mommy?" Nancy asked, pointing to the notice taped up by the table.

Yes," said her mother. "That, and how much it costs for a grown-up; and the name of the concert and things. Come back in line, now - it's our turn."
"My, what a smart little girl," a man standing behind them said. Nancy felt pretty tall.

At the ticket table, it was Nancy's turn. She held up her dollar. "Hmm," said the lady at the table, kindly. "You don't look six years old." Nancy said nothing. "Go on through, dear. You don't have to pay."

Nancy walked on through. She still had her dollar, and she thought of all the candies and chips that it could buy. She had got in for free! Maybe her mother would let her keep the dollar.

"Hold it!" said her mother quietly, but in a firm voice. "Come back here, please, Nancy." Nancy came back.

"Give the lady the dollar please. You are six years old. You know that. You were six last week."

So Nancy gave the lady her dollar - and got her ticket.

A big man, dressed up like a penguin, took their tickets and showed them to some seats. The auditorium was very crowded, and they had to squeeze in along in front of other people, to find a place.

But it was a wonderful concert. There were people singing, dancing, and playing instruments that Nancy had never seen before, except on television and in books. It was so much fun to be out with grown-ups, and at night, in a new and wonderful world. Her first concert!

When they were back in the car, alone, Nancy thanked her mother for taking her. "Thank you for taking me, mommy. It was such fun and I behaved myself and I didn't get tired, did I?"

"No," said her mother, pleased. "And you were very good. I'm proud of you." "But," she said, "I suppose you should have told the lady you were six, and paid your money - without me telling you to. You are six, you know."

"Yes, mommy, but I didn't know what to say, and we could have kept the dollar and not have had to give it to her."


"Yes," said her mother. "We could have, easily enough, and nobody would know. But we would. And it's not right - not really."

Nancy looked sad. She hoped was not getting a lecture, and she didn't see how she had done anything really wrong.

"Cheer up," said her mother. "It's not the end of the world - but let me explain:

"You see it pays to be honest, Nancy, in the long run. If you are not honest in the small things, which are easy, how are you going to be honest in the big things, which are hard?

So, it's just as easy to play fair all the time, because there are going to be lots of times when you can get away with things - when nobody will know. But because you can get away with something, doesn't mean you should do it.

Take tonight, for instance. It was only a dollar. We could have kept it, but it would have been like selling your honesty for a dollar. That's cheap. Could your sense of fair play and honesty be bought for a dollar? No - I should think not!."

"Are there people who only care about money, mommy?," asked Nancy, still a little puzzled.
"Yes, my dear, unfortunately so. There are people who grow up always putting money first. Their honesty is for sale. Sometimes it takes a lot of money, sometimes not so much - but they can be bought. They are for sale. And of course, as always, it starts out with the little things - and goes on from there.

You don't want to grow up to be one of those people, Nancy, I'm sure. There are plenty of them already."

Nancy shook her head. She certainly didn't.

"So you see, my darling," her mother continued, "it was only a little thing - but it's still important. I know it all sounds complicated a bit now, but it's really simple, when you come right down to it."

"That's okay, mommy," Nancy said. "I think I understand it. I'm a big six year old now, you know."

"Yes, I can see that," her mother smiled.

And they turned into the driveway, and they were home.

.........................................................The End.
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