Lesson 5

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The Little Man

I once knew a little man. He grew every day twenty-four hours older without becoming any taller or larger. This made him unhappy. For he wished very much to be tall and large like other men. He could not bear people say, “good morning, my LITTLE man!”

One day a bright idea came into his mind. He would go to the shoemaker’s and have a pair of heels put on his shoes. That would make him taller, at least, he thought. And people stop calling him “little man”

The shoemaker was very kindly set to work. When he had finished and been paid, he said, “I hope that I pleased you and you will call another day. Good-bye, my little man.”

The little gentleman walked away, greatly hurt. The shoemaker did not show much respect for his feelings. “It will be different with the doctor. Doctors knew everything,” he thought, “He will open his eyes and greet me by another name.”

So he went at once to the doctor’s.  he kept himself all the time as straight as a young soldier on guard.

“Good morning, my little man,” said the doctor, “what ca I do for you?”

Just think how sad the little man must have felt.