“Julia, come here please.” Mrs. Crowter called up the stairs.

A moment later, there was a pitter-patter of feet, and 7-year old Julia stood at the head of the stairs with a book in her hand.

“Yes ma’am?” she answered hesitantly. She was a little afraid that her mother would tell her to come down and help with cleaning, but she was right in the midst of an interesting story.

“Julia, you need to come and dust the living room.” Her mother instructed. “Do a very good and thorough job, please.”

“Yes ma’am.” Julia murmured, feeling rather annoyed.

She shuffled back to her bedroom, and stood at her little desk. One voice was saying:

You can read some more. You are a fast reader,
and you may be able to finish the story
before your mother realizes that you are not
down there. If she asks what you were doing;
you can tell her that you went to the bathroom.

But another voice was saying:

Shame on you for thinking like that! You would
be disobedient and dishonest. You know what
you are supposed to do. Do it quickly, and make
your mother happy.

Unfortunately, Julia chose to listen to the wrong whisper. She was not usually rebellious, but this time the temptation of the story was so great that she chose to read for a little while longer.

One minute passed, then two, then five, then ten. All at once Julia realized that her mother was calling again. She threw down her book, and rushed down the stairs nearly knocking her mother over.

“Julia, I told you to come down and dust.” Mrs. Crowter spoke reprovingly. “What were you doing?”

“I was finishing the story.” Julia replied in a small voice.

“But you did not ask for permission. I was expecting you to already have the living room finished, and to help me in the kitchen. I’m disappointed that you were not obeying. Do not read your book anymore today.”

Julia nodded her head and went off to dust with a frown on her face. After she was finished, she went to the kitchen where her mother was busily washing the dishes.

“I need you to finish these dishes.” Mrs. Crowter said. “I was going to, but I need to feed the baby. Hurry please; we have a lot to do today.”

Julia was far from happy as she began to scrub a pot. Why do we have so much to do today? she wondered I was really wanting to finish that story.

“Julia.” Mrs. Crowter spoke pleasantly as she settled into her rocker in the kitchen.

“Yes ma’am.” Julia answered.

Mrs. Crowter didn’t speak right away, but focused her attention on Julia’s younger brother, and his eagerness to nurse.

“Will you give me my water please?”

Julia slowly rinsed and dried her hands, and then handed a large glass of water to her mother.

“Julia.” Mrs. Crowter spoke again, as Julia went back to the dishes. “It seems like you are having a hard time obeying right away, all the way, and with a joyful heart. The problem started earlier when you did not do what I asked. Ever since then, you have been pretty sour. I am trusting that you will change your attitude on your own, but if you continue moping around and feeling sorry for yourself; I’ll have to punish you.”

“Yes ma’am.” Julia made an effort to speak more pleasantly.

“Please fold and put away the laundry.” Mrs. Crowter asked, as soon as Julia had wiped the counter clean.

Julia went to the laundry room, unloaded the dryer, and took the clothes into the living room. She began to fold the clothes, and she was thinking hard.

You have a choice, Julia Crowter. You can start being cheerful, and helpful, or you will end up being punished. What would your mother want? She already said that there is a lot to do today, and she can really use your help. Stop being sour about the book; you’ll get another chance to read sometime. It’s more important to have a right heart about your mother’s instructions.

By this time, Julia had decided that it would be the best idea to go and repent to her mother. She folded the last piece of clothing, and then went into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry for not obeying you, Mama.” Julia said quietly.

“I forgive you, dear.” Mrs. Crowter looked up from the casserole that she was mixing. “Will you sweep the kitchen and dining room floor, please?”

“I need to finish putting away the laundry; then I will.” Julia replied as she skipped out of the kitchen.

Several minutes later, she was sweeping the floor, and singing; “I’m in right, out right, upright, downright happy all the time.”

Mrs. Crowter laughed; “I’m glad that you changed your heart, Julia. Do you care if I share a secret with you?”

“What? What is it?”

“We need to hurry and finish all our housework here, so that we can be at the airport in time this afternoon.”

“The airport?” Julia asked, feeling very puzzled. “Why are we going to the airport?”

“Well, I guess your grandparents won’t want to sit there forever.”

“Mama! Are they coming?”

“They’re on their way right now.”

“Oh goody! Goody!” Julia shouted as she skipped around the kitchen island. She paused a minute, and then said; “So that’s why we have so much to do.”

“Yes ma’am. Now run along and vacuum the guestroom. You can dust it too; seeing that you now know how to do it with a joyful heart!”

Julia skipped out of the room, singing at the top of her lungs; “I’m in right, out right, upright, downright happy all the time!”