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Farmer Boy, Chapter 26

Social Studies
Character (Tattling) 
Frank was teasing Almanzo with Starlight (scaring him) Almanzo knew how to treat the animals and not spoil them. Royal caught them fighting. Almanzo tried to explain why they were fighting (because Frank was scaring Starlight). “Don’t be a tattle-tale. Now you behave yourselves…”

What is a tattletale? The word tattletale is a compound word that owes its roots to several languages. To tattle is to tell and is derived from the Flemish verb tatelen which means "to stutter," and the Frisian term tateren which translates to "to tell tales or secrets.” Talo is a Germanic term related to the words talk and tell. When put together, as they were first in the 15th century, a tattletale is someone who betrays secrets or “tells on” others.

What is the motive? The motivation for becoming a tattletale may be in part to maintain order in a household, or school environment, but also to draw attention to one’s self. Is it ever ok to tattle? Yes, if it is dangerous, destructive, or dishonest. Was this an appropriate time to tattle?

Character (Willing and Cheerful) 
Almanzo helped in the kitchen. “He remembered the switch and tried to be willing and cheerful.”

What does it mean to be “willing?” Websters 1828 dictionary defines it as: To do with free will; without reluctance; cheerfully. To do by ones own choice. 

Almanzo willingly chose to obey with a good attitude and good heart. He didn’t help reluctantly (Websters 1828 definition: With opposition of heart; unwillingly-a straining or striving against). For example, he didn’t complain, argue or work slow.

Bible verses on being willing:
Exodus 10:27 "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go." Pharaoh was not willing and he was demonstrating a hard heart.

Psalms 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." Even though David sinned, he repented-asked God to forgive him and to help him obey with all his heart (not just actions, but obeying in his heart too.)

Mark 14:38 "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

What does it mean to be cheerful? (Websters 1828 definition: lively; animated; having good spirits; moderately joyful.) Almanzo didn’t just do what he was told, he was cheerful about it. He made a decision to be a joy around as he obeyed.

Bible Verses on being cheerful:
Proverbs 15:13 "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken." (you can tell by your countenance whether you are having a good attitude.)

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This is not this just talking about money - it is talking about how you do everything in life.

Character (Disobedience and Consequences) 
Remember a few chapters back when Almanzo got the black spot on the wall? He should have gotten the switch, but he didn’t. The good thing is he understood that he disobeyed and that there are consequences for disobedience. He understood that he deserved those consequences. What is disobedience? Websters 1828 definition: Neglect (to fail to do or omit by carelessness) or refusal to obey; violation of a command or prohibition; the omission of that which is commanded to be done, or the doing of that which is forbid; breach of duty prescribed by authority. Basically not doing what you are told to do or asked to do willfully or because you forgot, etc.

What are consequences? Websters 1828 definition: That which follows from any act, cause, principle, or series of actions. Hence, an event or effect produced by some preceding act or cause. Basically, cause and effect. If you disobey, this will happen. In Almanzo’s case, he knew that if he chose to disobey (cause) the effect would be the switch.

Character (Respect for Elders) 
Almanzo was fed last because he was youngest. He didn’t complain even though he was uncomfortable. Children would stand to allow adults to sit. In previous chapters it has been mentioned that children don’t speak to adults unless spoken to. This was a demonstration of respect. The younger generation understood that they were to be respectful to people who were authority figures. Why did they have that courtesy? Do children act this way today? Why or why not?

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