A Little Lesson in Obedience by Flora Huntley

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1915

A Little Lesson in Obedience

By Flora Huntley

He was only eighteen months old, too young, the grandmother thought, to understand discipline except in its negative form. But his mother believed that he comprehended exactly what she wished. For some time he had been in the habit of carrying his father's slippers to the closet every morning while his mother tidied up the room. It finally came to be a regular morning task for Tommy to put away all the shoes or slippers that were in the room, and he apparently enjoyed it immensely.

One morning, when he delayed, his mother suggested that it was time to put away daddy's slippers; but Tommy was indifferent. Again she called his attention to the accustomed task, but there was no response. Having given a definite command, she felt that she must be obeyed, and she carefully explained to the baby what she wished him to do.

He picked up the slipper, took a few steps, and threw it down angrily. His mother then left the room, and told him he might come out as soon as he had put the slippers away.

For a full hour he struggled with himself, crying and picking up the shoes, only to throw them down. At last the mother heard the little feet moving slowly across the floor. Then they became more swift, and after two or three trips to the closet paused before the door. She opened it, and found Tommy smiling, with his task all completed.

It was a triumph for the baby as well as the mother, for he had learned self-control as well as obedience to a command. He is still a stubborn and independent child, but at four years old he has mastered a bad temper.—Flora Huntley.