One cold winter 's day,thre e b oys were passing by a schoolhouse. The oldest was a bad boy. always in trouble himself,and trying to get others into trouble. The youngest,whose name was George,was a very good boy.
George wished to do right,but was very much wanting in courage. The other boys were named Henry and James. As they walked along,they talked as follows:
Henry. What fun it would be to throw a snowball against theschoolroom door,and make the teacher and scholars1 all jump!
James. You would jump,if you should. If the teacher did not catch you and whip you,he would tell your father,and you would get a whipping2 then; and that would make you jump higher than the scholars,I think.
Henry. Why,we would get so far o.,before the teacher couldcome to the door,that he could not tell who we are. Here is a snowball just as hard as ice,and George would as soon throw it against the door as not.James. Give it to him,and see. He would not dare3 to throw it.
1 Scholars,children at school. 2 Whipping,punishment.3 Dare,have courage.
Henry. Do you think George is a coward. You do not know him as well as I do. Here,George,take this snowball,and show James that you are not such a coward as he thinks you are.
George. I am not afraid to throw it; but I do not want to. I donot see that it will do any good,or that there will be any fun in it.James. There!I told you he would not dare to throw it.
Henry. Why,George,are you turning coward. I thought you did not fear anything. Come,save your credit1,and throw it. I know you are not afraid.
1 Credit,reputation.George. Well,I am not afraid to throw. Give me the snowball. I would as soon throw it as not.
Whack!went the snowball against the door; and the boys took to their heels. Henry was laughing as heartily1 as he could,to think what a fool he had made of George.
George had a whipping for his folly,as he ought to have had. He was such a coward,that he was afraid of being called a coward. He did not dare refuse2 to do as Henry told him,for fear that he would be laughed at.
If he had been really a brave boy,he would have said,"Henr y,do you suppose that I am so foolish as to throw that snowball,just because you want to have me. You may throw your own snowballs,if you please!"
Henry would,perhaps,have laughed at him,and called him a coward.
But George would have said,"Do you think that I care for your laughing. I do not think it right to throw the snowball. I will not do that which I think to be wrong,if the whole town should join with you in laughing."
This would have been real courage. Henry would have seen,at once,that it would do no good to laugh at a boy who had so bold a heart. You must have this fearless3 spirit,or you will get into trouble,and will be,and ought to be,disliked4 by all.
1 Heartily,freely,merrily. 2 Refuse,decline.3 Fearless,bold,brave. 4 Disliked,not loved.