Little Helpers

"Little Helpers" by Margaret Vandegrift is a charming story from the late 1800s about a boy named Johnny Leslie, who is getting ready to give a speech about the Fourth of July and what it means to be free. We watch as Johnny faces challenges, learns from his friends, and listens to his mother, all while figuring out what it means to be a good person and to understand the importance of people's rights. The story starts with Johnny giving a speech to his friend Tiny and his stuffed toy, showing how eager he is about freedom. With his mother's help, he learns about doing what's right, being responsible, and what independence really means, even when things get tough, like when he gets sick or tries something he shouldn't. All these experiences help Johnny grow and start to see the world in a more mature way.