Good Advice
Introduction
“Good Advice.” Chatterbox. 18.2 (1883): 12. Print.
Nothing is known about the mysterious author of this story. The story itself, however, is part of Chatterbox, a compilation of children’s stories. This story is intended for readers of all ages, teaching the importance of not worrying about what others think. Because of the shortness and simpleness of this story, it is easily understood. “Good Advice” is easy to relate to, because like the lady in the story, we all have a bad habit of worrying about what others think.
This story’s characters are not unique, giving readers the opportunity to place themselves in the story and learn the lesson themselves, to hear the good advice of the Rev. John Newton. The morals in the story teach readings that when one is being picked on or judged, the best response is to not react. It will discourage those attacking, and they will stop. The story is short but entertaining and shows the simplicity of how to handle a problem all are faced with on a regular basis.
While the text does not discuss class differences, it certainly shows the value people put on others' opinions. Because this story was published in Chatterbox, it could easily portray the importance of learning this lesson at a young age, that people can better understand what they want and be more capable of doing it if they are not looking over their shoulders constantly to see what others think. The story’s main purpose is to teach a lesson while being entertaining.
Transcription
Good Advice
(See PDF Version)
A lady once applied to the Rev. John Newton for advice and consolation. Her distress arose from ill-natured remarks which had been made upon herself, and her dread of future annoyance. After listening to her tale Mr. Newton said, ‘I will tell you a story. One day this winter, as I was going to visit some sick persons at a distance, I found a good deal of snow in the streets, and a number of idle boys throwing snowballs at people as they passed along. I made up my mind to pass them as well as I could; I did not, however, escape them, for they attacked me from behind, but I took no notice and hastened on, and was soon out of their reach, and was not hurt by the balls which struck me. ‘On my return I came to the same troop, who were still bent on mischief. I prepared to be assailed, but as I drew near to them I heard one say, “Here he comes again, let us have at him!” but another said, “No, do not let us snowball him, for he took no notice of us before.” So I passed on and saw no more of them. Now, Madam, if you take no notice of these ill-natured things, the persons who have said them will cease to give you cause of complaint.’
Notes
Edited by: Herald, Sara: section 1, Fall 2014
