Milford chronicle., 1938-01-21
THE FOUNDATIONS or SHARING
FLORENCE B. studebaker

fiultuCt 70. CtuucDdheI
Mrs. Boone knew that a little
child's desire to share is basic to
the art Of getting on we'll in later
7 life, so she was distressed when she
realized how much like the dog in
the manger she had allowed her six
year-old daughter to become. Betty
had outgrown some Of her prettiest
dresses and Mrs. Boone wished to
passed them on to some cousins, but
the mere suggestion had met with
storm of protest.
After puzzling over the matter for
some time, Mrs. Boone decided to
launch a campaign against selfish
ness. She began by letting Betty OBJ
serve the pleasure that she and
Daddy took in sharing things they
priced. In addition she searched for
stories which emphasized the joy Of
sharing. During the bedtime hour
these were wisely told with special
emphasis on the happiness expert
enced by a cheerful giver.
For some time little change in
Betty's attitude was manifested.
Nothing daunted, Mrs. Boone con-
tinued laying the foundations Of
sharing. At last, one day, acting on
impulse, Betty passed a dish con-
tanning the last piece of her favor
ite candy to the laundress' little
girl. The next moment her face re-
hected the delight shown on the face
of the little stranger. Betty hurried
upstairs and soon was down again
with her arms full of pretty dresses
and other garments which she had
outgrown. "Oh. Mother! see how
many things / found that l can
share" she said, breathlessly. Lets
get them ready to send to Cousin
Anne and Edith"
Another mother laid the fOunda-
tions Of sharing with what she
chose to call the family enterprise.
During the trying days Of the de-
preston there were many calls for
aid in needy families. Seeing in these
calls an opportunity to teach the joy
of sharing, this mother prepared a
basket which she kept in the dining
room on box In response to eager
queries from the little ones she
carefully explained. "This basket is
for us to use in sharing the good
things we have with those in need"
A tiny placard was hung above the
basket which bore these words,
Things which cost you most in sac
rifice bring you the greatest happi-
ness" The children were told the |
very simply, and before the |
winter had passed they were sure it |
was true.
During the next few weeks the |
mother was delighted to see little /
Sister donate sweater which she I
loved dearly but which she had out
grown. II was still serviceable and !
It was very pretty. Tim, aged ten,
slyly tucked in three pounds Of SUI
gar purchased with nancy he had
been saving for a knife. Even Bobby,
only two, toddled to the basket and
soberly contributed a rosy apple. So
Il went on, "The corner which held
the sharing basket grew to be a
sacred spot" declared the mother.
IneSe experiences nave DeSh hNSh
IDLY impressed upon the minds Of
my children and through them the
art Of sharing has become a part of
heir daily lives. believe it. will
continue to bless them as they go
1ut into adult life"
Of course the problem of sharing
s not concerned merely with things
o eat and clothes to wear. Sharing
privileges in the home is another :
important feature. One child should
lot always be permitted to choose
he games on the family's evening
.t-home. His ability to get along :
With people in adult life depends J
argeIy ON his respect for the rights
# others. What better place to learn
he art Of sharing than in family re-