[Sidenote: Invoking Fairies]
Margaret Blake lived not far from the Lone Star rural school. Her father
had bought much land years before which had so increased in value that
he was very rich. Many people in the Lone Star district were tenants on
his farms. Margaret’s mother taught her that she was better than other
children and must not “mix” with them more than absolutely necessary. As
soon as she was old enough she was to go to a “select” school of her own
“class” of people.
Miss Coleman saw the situation the first day of school. Margaret’s
selfishness was manifested by her selection of the best seat, the
display on her desk of numerous and costly aids for her work, her
haughty demeanor and her frequent references to what her mother said she
need not do. Whenever she spoke of her mother’s wishes she emphasized
the “I” in a way to show her difference from others.
Miss Coleman knew that the happiness of Margaret as well as of her other
pupils depended upon eradication of the rich child’s selfishness. She
made a special study of the effect of various attempts to accomplish
this end. She told a story of an unselfish child. This did not seem to
appeal to Margaret. She tried another story on the advantages of wealth
in terms of ability to serve others. This was nearer the mark. After
thus finding the correct avenue of approach Miss Coleman often said
something like this to Margaret: “How fortunate you are in having some
things which these other children cannot afford to have. How would you
like to play you are a fairy and get a new First Reader for little
Wilbur Tomlinson, who has no book, and just leave it on his desk with
his name in it, and not tell him who gave it to him. I’ll help you pay
for it, for I want to get fun out of it too.”
Or, again, “Let’s think what we might plan to do secretly for any child
in the room who really needs something we can give. We’ll be good
fairies again.”
Margaret took a new interest in other children. She soon began to like
to go to school. She enjoyed playing with the other pupils and loved and
honored Miss Coleman.