Red Head and Whistle Breeches

"Red Head and Whistle Breeches" by Ellis Parker Butler is a story set in the early 1900s that looks at how childhood shapes who we become as adults. It's about two boys, Tim Murphy and Willie Gary, and how their lives turn out very differently. Tim, known as "Red Head," is brave but ends up in trouble because of a labor strike, which hurts his family. Willie, called "Whistle Breeches" because he's made fun of for his new pants, starts as an embarrassed kid. But as he grows, Willie learns to stand up for himself and eventually becomes the Governor. The story shows how the past can affect the future and how even small actions can have big consequences, especially when dealing with courage, friendship, and how we treat others.