Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Womenmany excellent resolutions, but they did not keep themvery well, and were constantly saying, ‘If only we had this,‘ or ‘If we could only do that, ‘ quite forgetting howmuch they already had, and how many things they actuallycould do. So they asked an old woman what spell theycould use to make them happy, and she said, ‘When youfeel discontented, think over your blessings, and begrateful.’’ (Here Jo looked up quickly, as if about to speak,but changed her mind, seeing that the story was not doneyet.)‘Being sensible girls, they decided to try her advice, andsoon were surprised to see how well off they were. Onediscovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrowout of rich people’s houses, another that, though she waspoor, she was a great deal happier, with her youth, health,and good spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old lady whocouldn’t enjoy her comforts, a third that, disagreeable as itwas to help get dinner, it was harder still to go begging forit and the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not sovaluable as good behavior. So they agreed to stopcomplaining, to enjoy the blessings already possessed, andtry to deserve them, lest they should be taken awayentirely, instead of increased, and I believe they were77 of 861