sharp and difficult which took all the buoyancy out of them, just like a
nail causing a puncture in a tire. I have known them to tell a lie,
although nobody else knew it, and it bothered them so inside that it was
like sand on the inside of the tire causing a sand-blister. I have known
them to fret about things so that all their enthusiasm leaked away just
as the tire that had a leaky valve. And finally I have known them to be
rim-cut by associating with some sharp-tongued boy or girl. The result
of all this was a flat tire, and these boys and girls just went bumping
along without any happiness or lightness of heart. They couldn't get
anywhere with their work or their play.

The only cure that I know of for a boy or girl with a flat tire is more
of God's uplifting strength.

God says that they who trust in Him shall run, and not be weary.




WATCHING FOR IDLE BOYS


Probably all boys and girls whisper in school if they think the teacher
will not catch them. Some teachers set boys and girls to watch one
another and to tell on one another when they see anyone whispering. I do
not think that is a fair thing to do, for it makes tell-tales of boys
and girls. And tell-tales are never attractive.

The story I am going to relate to you is about a teacher who set the
pupils in a room to watch each other, and to tell if they caught anyone