Hannah’s Honest Heart, Part 2 of 3

Hannah knew her parents could not afford the bicycle. Each month, their budget barely covered the usual expenses. Besides, Homer always tried to instill in his daughter the knowledge that if something is worth having, it is worth the work and saving needed to get it. Mr. Hartley paid Hannah an allowance for daily chores and would no doubt provide a little money for the bicycle. However, he did not know she had saved almost none of her allowance but had spent it on knickknacks and candy when visiting friends in town.

As Hannah drifted off to sleep, a plan began shaping up in her mind. She thought … what little I have saved from my allowance, added to what I hope Mom and Dad provide, along with money from the purse — that will be enough to buy the bicycle. They will never know, but will think I saved all of the money! Early the following morning, as she was waking up, Hannah heard a knock at the front door and Mrs. Harper’s familiar voice.

“Homer, I’ve lost my purse. It had a good bit of money in it. I think I dropped it in your orchard yesterday, but I have looked everywhere under the trees and can’t find it. Have you seen it?” Upstairs, the little girl strained to hear the rest of the conversation but could not. What she did not know was that her father was watching from the barn and saw her pick up something under one of the apple trees.

So that his daughter would not hear, Homer whispered to Mrs. Harper that he saw Hannah put an object in her pocket and suspected it was the purse. Confident the little girl would do the right thing, they agreed that this was a unique opportunity to teach her a life lesson about the value of honesty and dealing with others in ways acceptable to oneself, as taught by the Bible. Little did they know that the plan would start a child on the road to great success as an adult.

Christmas was nearing, and nightly, Hannah lay in bed, staring into the dark, unable to sleep. The struggle within kept her awake. Her mind was on the bicycle; her heart was on Mrs. Harper. Finally, her heart won. She decided to return the purse. After all, how could she enjoy the bicycle, knowing stolen money bought it? Comforted by her decision, she slept soundly and peacefully for the first night in a long time, knowing she had followed what mattered most: Hannah’s honest heart.

NOTE: Jimmy Reed is a retired college professor and author of several books. This story is from his latest, a children’s book entitled FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME. Each story in the book maximizes the use of an alphabetical letter, enhanced by alliteration and assonance. The book is available on Amazon, or can be purchased directly from the author. His email address is jimmycecilreedjr@gmail.com.

Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.

Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).