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Ken Robertson felt sick as he followed his father into the school. The
principal, Mr. Demstir, had phoned to say there had been some trouble on
Halloween night and that Ken's name was involved. Ken knew there was a mistake,
but would he have to tell them what he had been doing on Halloween night? Ken
hoped not. His dad was already unhappy with him.
Ken's father was one of the best air force pilots in Canada. The trouble was
he wanted Ken to be a pilot some day too, but Ken wasn't interested in planes.
Lately, Ken had been trying hard to please his father. Now this had to happen?
"If Dad finds out what I did on Halloween, he will think I'm just a sissy."
As they entered the school room Ken stared in surprise. What were Al and his
gang doing here, and all the parents? Panic rose up inside Ken. "Dear Jesus,
please help me," Ken prayed. "Don't let Dad be ashamed of me."
"What's the trouble Mr. Demstir?" asked Mr. Robertson as he sat down.
"On Halloween night," the principal explained, "Al and his pals took treats
from some of the smaller children. Many of the children were scared. Their
parents reported it to me.
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All four boys have admitted to this mean act, but
they say Ken was with them. Ken, is that right?"
Ken's knees felt wobbly as he stood up. "No, Sir!" he answered. "They asked
me to go with them, but I told them that I had something else to do."
"If you weren't with them, Ken, tell us what you were doing," Mr. Demstir said.
"I went down the street to t-t-take something to Jenny Small." Ken stammered.
He sat down quickly and felt his ears burn as he heard Al snicker.
"Mr. Demstir," a father said. "I know Ken. And I'd take his word against a
whole room full of boys. My little girl Betty was nearly knocked down by a
bully on his bike. Ken grabbed her out of the way just in time. He is one boy
that is always kind to the children. He wouldn't take their candy."
"That's true," a woman put in quickly. "Last spring when my Billy had the
measles, Ken brought him a lot of little carved animals to play with. A boy
that makes toys for sick kids wouldn't turn around and steal their Halloween
candy."
"Thank you," said the principal. Turning to the four boys he continued, "Now,
fellows which will it be?" I can phone Mrs. Small
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and confirm what Ken said or you can tell us the truth."
The three boys looked at Al. He didn't say anything. Suddenly, Joey blurted out,
"Aw, Ken wasn't with us at all. Al just told us to say that because of the doll
bed."
"The doll bed?" Mr. Demstir looked puzzled.
"Yes," Joey said. "We looked in Ken's window and saw him making a doll bed.
When he left, we followed him. He took it to Jenny Small. Al told us we'd find
a good time to tease Ken. Then tonight Al told us to say that Ken was with us
on Halloween night. Al said we'd be safe 'cause Ken wouldn't want to tell that
he delivered a doll bed that night. Al says Ken is a sissy-- because he won't
do mean things and he tells the kids that he loves Jesus. I'm real sorry I lied
about Ken and I'm sorry I took the candy from the little kids too."
"Spoken like a man, Joey," Mr. Demstir said kindly. Then he smiled at Ken.
"Well, Ken, your name has been cleared. We won't detain you and your father
any longer. But remember, Ken, that making a toy for a little crippled girl
isn't anything to be ashamed of, no matter what the toy is."
As Ken and his dad rose to leave, the principal said, "You have a son to be
proud of Mr. Robertson."
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