Generosity Failed To Pay Off.

The little girl, Diane , never at a loss for words, who never met a stranger, was warm and generous.  It was late fall and the weather had turned cold and damp quickly as it could in our Cumberland Mountains.

Mommie sent us off to school, all properly dressed. Diane wore her new pink sweater and her hand-me-down coat.

Recess time came. The teacher of Diane's class charged each pupil to put on a coat before going out to play. Diane’s seat mate had no coat. With the generosity she was born with and kept her whole life Diane removed her new sweater and gave it to her friend.

Playtime ended; school ended. Diane came home with her coat but no sweater.  Mommie was not understanding;  Mommie was not gentle.  Diane got what she then and forever after considered a harsh and undeserved whipping