Freddie Jones was a bright, intelligent boy, about ten years old. On coming home from school one afternoon, he went into the sitting-room, where his Aunt Margaret was busy sewing, and began to read a book on history, in which he was very much interested. After reading a while, he laid down the book, and said, “Auntie, if I were only a general, I think I should be very happy.”
“Are you not happy now?” asked his aunt.
“O yes, but I long to be a hero. It seems like something grand to be a hero. Don’t you think so, auntie?”
“Yes,” said Aunt Margaret, “I admire a hero. Shall I tell you how you may become a hero now, a boy hero, which I think is nobler far even than being a general?”
“Yes,” said Freddie eagerly, “do tell me!”
“It is by learning to be master of yourself. Do not give way to anger, or any wicked feeling. Never allow yourself to do what you know is wrong. The Bible says, ‘He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that roulette his spirit than he that taketh a city.’ Think of this, and when tempted to do wrong, have courage to stand up for the right, and you will be a greater hero than Alexander, or Caesar, or Napoleon.”
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