Striving for the Prize

MABEL REED HYZER

It was nearing the close of the school term. Each pupil in the class had been asked to write a poem, and it was given out that the writer of the best poem would receive a prize. Jane, eight years old, had written some very good poems, had even had some published, and her friends felt that she would, no doubt, be the winner. But, when the day came, another little girl was awarded the prize.

Jane is a student in a Christian Science Sunday School and is being taught in her home the true, right attitude in her daily experiences, and toward her classmates. So, perhaps contrary to the expectation of some, she went home on the day of the contest very happy. And after informing her mother of the decision of the judges, she said: "Mother, I'm so glad Mary got the prize instead of me, because it will make her parents happy. They have had lots of trouble, and this will be nice for them." And she was genuinely glad for her little friend.

She is learning the worth of that true prize—happiness born of unselfishness. She truly rejoiced with her little classmate even though she herself seemed to experience a loss. She already understood that there is a greater goal than temporary, material success. Perhaps she could not have wholly appreciated Mary's victory if she hereself had not striven to write the prize poem, but since she had also striven, her generosity was genuine.

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