(Blackboard.)
Do not Take what is not Yours.
Note.—To the mother or teacher who can read between the lines, this little story (which is not imaginary, but a true record of fact) bears another meaning. It shows the child's passionate love for objects that are pretty, especially coloured objects, and how the withholding of these may open the way to temptation. Let the child's natural desire be gratified, and supply to it freely coloured wools, beads, etc., at the same time teaching the right use of them, according to kindergarten[3] principles.
(Taking Little Things.)
13. Carl and the Lump of Sugar.
There are some people who think that taking little things is not stealing. But it is.
There was a little boy, named Carl, who began his wrong-doing by taking a piece of sugar. Then he took another piece, and another; but he always did it when his mother was not looking. We always want to hide the doing of wrong—we feel so ashamed.
One day Carl's mother sent him to the shop for something, and he kept a halfpenny out of the change. His mother did not notice it; she never thought her little boy would steal.
So it went on from bad to worse, until one day he stole a shilling from a boy in the school, and was expelled.
As Carl grew older he took larger sums, and you will not be surprised to hear that in the end he was sent to prison, and nearly broke his mother's heart.
14. Lilie and the Scent.