Hanging Out Signs
Grace had a sprained ankle when the new little girl moved next door. One afternoon a week later mother came in to tell Grace that the new little girl had come over for a visit.
"I'm glad," said Grace. "Please bring her up, mother, I like her."
"Why," said mother, "you've never seen her."
"Yes, but I could hear her every day from my window," said Grace. "I heard her talk to her little brother, and she's so kind and jolly, and she never says mean things to the dog, and when her mother calls, she says, 'yes, mother,' just as pleasant, and runs right away to see what she wants. She's always singing, too. I know she's nice."
"So little June has been hanging out signs telling just what she was though you haven't seen her," said mother with a smile. "I hope my daughter is putting out as good signs both for those who hear her, and those who see her."
What kind of signs are you hanging out, boys and girls? You are putting out some kind all the time. What would the next-door neighbor think of you if she only heard what you said to mother, and little brother, and the pets? Would she know you were kind, or would she think you were cross? Or suppose your neighbor were deaf, and could only see what you did. Would she read the sign of smiles on your face, or the sign of frowns? Would she see prompt obedience, and cheerful work, or lagging footsteps, and the shirking of tasks? Look over your signs to-day, and see if you are hanging out pleasant ones so that people will be sure you are nice.
–Jane West.