Brian and the purse

Brian and the purse

Brian remembered what his parents said to him. they taught him that honest people do the right thing even when nobody is watching. Brian wanted to be a good person and make his parents proud. (value: honesty)

Brian carried the wallet straight to his parents. He explained where he found it on the playground. his parents praised him for being responsible. (norm: bringing lost items to their rightful owner or trusted adult)

before class started Riley greeted his fellow classmates (folkway: being respectful)

a classmate was telling Brian that if he kept the money nobody would know. Brian shook his head and said "honesty is more important". he knew that keeping what's not yours is wrong. (norm: do not steal from people)

later that day the true owner was found. Brian and his parents went to the owners home to return it. they were glad to return the wallet with all of the important things still inside (Value: honesty)

when Brian went to get dinner from the kitchen his parents praised him for being responsible. they gave him 5$ as a present to show how proud they were of him. Brian was proud because he did well and was praised for it. (positive sanction)

later the next day a classmate asked why the rules matter. the teacher explained that rules are important to avoid anarchy. if you were to break the rules you may lose trust or get punished. (negative sanction)

on the way to the next class Brian's friend realized they dropped their pencil somewhere. Brian decided to help his friend look for their pencil. soon after asking a few people for help they found it in the corner of a hallway near the stairs. (value: honesty)

the next day the teacher had fallen Ill and there was a substitute instead. the students were discussing how it was so important to always be honest. another kid decided to argue with them and brought up "finders keepers". the substitute had to calm the class down before they started to get too loud.

in the end the students gathered together to agree that being responsible makes them feel good. from that day Brian and his friends were kind and helpful every single day. the adults had noticed how much more responsible everybody seemed and would praise them regularly.