A little gentleman [short story]

Media

Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: A little gentleman [short story]
Creator: Galicano, Leoncia Tuano
Language: English
Year: 1940
Subject: Short stories, Philippine (English); Conduct of life
Rights
Abstract: [This story illustrates the courteous acts of a boy named Manuel.]
Fulltext: THE YOUNG CITIZEN August, 1940 A LITTLE GENTLEMAN By MRS. LEONCIA TUA!'IO GALICANO "MA'AM, you dropped your handkerchief," said young Manuel, as he picked up a handkerchief and handed it to a lady who was standing a short distance from him. "Oh, thank you, my boy! I didn't know I had dropped it. It is a very nice handkerchief and I would not like to lose it." As the lady to whom Manuel had returned the handkerchief looked at the boy's neat -appearance and his bright, smiling face, she said to herself, "That is certainly a little gentleman." Just then the bus st o p p ed. The people waiting at the corner climbed on and quickly found seats. After waiting for the others to get on, Manuel finally boarded the bus and sat down in the only vacant seat. At the next corner the bus stopped, and a lady with several packages got on. She looked around for a seat but all were occupied. "Please, ma'am, take my seat,1' said Manuel with a smile. He stood up, and the woman sat down in his place. "Thank you," said the lady. "You are a little gentleman to offer me your seat." The bus went on and finally stopped at the market. An old lady started to get off. She was carrying a number of bundles. Instantly. Manuel went to her and said, "May I he! p you get off the bus?" He took all of her bundles, got dowq, and helped the old lady to alight. Then he jumped back on the bus ·just as it was ready to start. The old lady thought to herself, "It is nice to see a gentlemanly boy like him." These are ·just three examples of the way that iManuel did. Where ever he went, every day, he was always looking for a chance to be helpful and polite. By and by everybody liked him, and many knew him as "the little gentleman_." What kind of a man do you think Manuel became? I am sure that he was the right kind and was successful in every way. Every'boy, whether rich or poor, can be a little gentleman, just like Manuel. I hope each boy who reads this will begin tOday, if he has not already done so, to be polite and kind, and earn for himself the same name as was given to Manuel, "a little ge.ntleman."
pages: 292