Article May 27, 1972 Issue

Built-in Happiness

SALLY LOU FULLER

Margaret came home from school, sullenly tossed her schoolbag in a corner of her room, and slid her lunch box across the kitchen counter. She was silent during supper, and Mother waited for an explanation. It all came out after the light was turned off at bedtime. Margaret sobbed, "Oh, Mother, the girls wouldn't play with me at all today! They just left me alone and went off in little groups without me."

As she kissed Margaret good-night, Mother asked, "Well, now, can those girls steal away your happiness? It's built-in, you know!"

"Built-in?" asked Margaret. She had never heard happiness talked about that way. She knew about built-in cabinets and shelves. Just a few months ago Daddy had built strong shelves into the family room wall above the piano to hold books and games and records.

Send a comment to the editors