Wasted Sweets
Story Summary
In this thought-provoking tale, a candidate canvassing his district kisses a baby in a carriage, believing the moment to be heartwarming. However, he is confronted with the irony that the baby belongs to an orphan asylum, and the nurse caring for it is an inmate of an institution for the illiterate, deaf, and dumb. This story serves as a reminder of the deeper moral lessons often found in well-known moral stories, encouraging personal growth through storytelling with morals.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that appearances can be deceiving, and good intentions may be wasted on those who cannot appreciate them.
Historical Context
This story reflects the satirical style of early 20th-century American humor, reminiscent of works by authors like Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce, who often critiqued social norms and political absurdities. The narrative highlights themes of misunderstanding and irony, common in folklore and fables, where characters often misinterpret social cues, leading to humorous or poignant revelations about society's complexities. This particular tale can be seen as a commentary on the disconnect between public personas and the realities of societal institutions, echoing sentiments found in broader literary traditions that address class and social issues.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the dangers of superficial gestures in the pursuit of public approval, particularly in today's age of social media where appearances often overshadow genuine intentions. A modern scenario could involve a politician posting a photo with a charity's beneficiaries to gain favor, only to be criticized when it's revealed that they have little understanding of the cause or its challenges, demonstrating that authenticity and true connection matter far more than mere optics.
You May Also Like
The Man and His Wife
In this simple short story with a moral, a man discovers that his wife is disliked by everyone in his household. To gauge her reception elsewhere, he sends her to visit her father's home, only to learn upon her return that even the herdsmen and shepherds treated her with aversion. This leads him to conclude that if she is despised by those who see her briefly, her reception among family, with whom she spent more time, must have been even worse, illustrating the value-based lesson that small signs can indicate larger truths.
The Bear and the Fox
In the short fable "The Bear and the Fox," a boastful Bear claims to be the most philanthropic animal, asserting he respects humans so greatly that he won't even touch their dead bodies. The clever Fox counters this claim, suggesting it would be far more virtuous for the Bear to eat the dead rather than prey on the living. This well-known moral story highlights the true nature of philanthropy in a humorous and thought-provoking manner.
The Crimson Candle
In "The Crimson Candle," a dying man asks his wife to swear she will not remarry while a blessed crimson candle, symbolizing their love and fidelity, remains lit. After his death, she honors her vow by holding the candle at his funeral until it completely burns out, illustrating the depth of her devotion. This uplifting moral story serves as a poignant reminder of love and commitment, making it a perfect short bedtime story with moral lessons for young readers and moral stories for class 7.
Other names for this story
"Sweet Misunderstandings", "Kisses and Confusion", "The Orphan's Touch", "Nurse of Illusions", "Canvassing Chaos", "Blind Affection", "Unexpected Encounters", "A Candidate's Folly"
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of miscommunication and the irony of perceptions, as the candidate’s well-intentioned gesture is rendered meaningless by the circumstances of both the baby and the nurse, emphasizing the disconnect between appearances and reality.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- MisunderstandingInnocenceIrony
- Characters
- CandidateNurseBabyMan
- Setting
- districtOrphan AsylumInstitution for the Illiterate-Deaf-and-Dumb