A Practical Lesson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

A Practical Lesson

Two small boys were given a weekly allowance of twenty-five cents. One showed a decided tendency toward frugality, while the other was ready to spend his money foolishly. The wise mother took occasion to explain to them the advantages of having something saved up for an emergency, and endeavored to make clear the difference between stinginess and economy, real wants and imaginary ones. Still Number Two continued to spend his cash with careless disregard of value received. So, upon a certain date she presented each child with a small savings bank of the kind which can be unlocked only by the banker holding the key. The idea gave dignity to the task of saving, and they were told that upon a date some months distant they would have their banks unlocked, the contents counted, and that for every cent saved another would be added.

For a few weeks both saved industriously; then the old desire to gratify every whim seized Number Two. His mother saw, but said nothing. When the time came to open the small banks, that of Number One was heavy with eight dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes, while that of Number Two poured forth ninety-eight lonesome pennies.

Without the least demur, but with a word of cheerful explanation to the banker, the little mother added eight dollars to one account and ninety-eight cents to the other.

An account was opened in the name of each, and each was handed his own deposit book. Number One was proud of his showing of sixteen dollars. Number Two was crestfallen over his paltry one dollar and ninety-six cents.

The lesson was not yet complete. They returned home, and Number Two was requested to produce what he could in the way of valuables which would even up matters. Only a battered magic lantern which never had worked, a few prize gum wrappers, and a half dozen partly used school pads were forthcoming. The lesson point went home, for the little spendthrift said, ruefully: “I’ll never do that way again, momsey. Just wait until we open those banks again and see if I do!” He never did.—Selected.