Canville Communications: Article
Anna was a sweet and gentle little girl, but she could never remember
to say “Thank you.”
When she was five years old she went to school. At the end of
the term the teacher stood before the class and said:
“I hope all these little girls will have a pleasant vacation.
As you have all been so good I am going to give you a little present.”
She opened a package that she held in her hand and took out a
stick of peppermint candy.
Anna’s eyes sparkled, for she liked candy. As each little girl
received her stick of candy she said, “Thank you, Miss White.
Good-bye.” Then she went home.
Little Anna rushed home and showed her mother what Miss White
had given her.
“Did you say ‘Thank you?’” asked mamma.
“I don’t remember,” faltered Anna.
“Then run back to school as quickly as possible and say it.”
Anna was glad of a chance to repair her mistake, and kept saying
all the way, “Thank you, Miss White, for the candy.” When she
reached the schoolhouse the teacher and pupils had gone and Anna
found it closed and locked. She looked at the door in disappointment
and felt that she would never have a chance to thank Miss White,
for after the vacation another teacher would be there. Miss White
would always think of Anna as a rude little girl.
It was the last time that Anna forgot to be polite. Whenever any
one did her a favor, or showed her a kindness, that schoolhouse
door, locked against her, came into her mind and reminded her
of what she ought to say.
When she became a young lady people used to say, “What charming
manners Miss Anna has.”
The next time you are presented with a special gift, remember
Anna’s lesson and remember to say “Thank you.”
This story contains the unabridged and unaltered text of and modified illustration
from “Anna's Lesson” from Who Killed Cock-Robin and Other Stories, published in 1905 by Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
with additional new text (italicized). New material Copyright
2004 by Canville Communications.
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Anna’s Lesson
