A Different Twist To George Washington's Cherry Tree Tale

by Laurean Brooks

I've pondered for days about what to write for my February 20th  blog post. Since Valentine's Day has come and gone, and it's close to February 22^nd, I  will pay tribute to our first president, General George Washington, who was born on that day.

As the tale goes, George's father asked the lad, “Son, did you chop down the cherry tree?” Young George replied, “Yes, Father, I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree.”

Instead of punishing him as George expected, his father commended him for his honesty, and his mother rewarded George with a final slice of cherry pie from the fallen tree.

Moving forward a couple of centuries, my dad told a similar story. I'm not sure how true it was, but I would not be surprised. This tale is about a mischievous boy from a large family. One who also fessed up after he messed up.

One day the boy was calmly asked by his father, “Austin, are you the one who pushed the outhouse into the creek?”

Recalling the story he had learned from a recent history lesson about George Washington and the cherry tree, Austin hiked his chin and proudly confessed, “Yes, Pa, I pushed the outhouse into the creek.”

Austin's father yanked him up by his overall straps and hauled him to the woodshed, kicking and screaming. Turning the boy across his knee, Austin's father applied the board of education to his backside. When he had finished, he set Austin on his feet. Gripping his slim shoulders, he turned the teary-eyed boy to face him.

“Son, look at me. This hurt me more than it hurt you. Do you understand why I had to punish you?”

“No, I don't!” Austin wailed. “George Washington's pa bragged on him for telling the truth about chopping down the cherry tree. And his ma even fed him a big slice of cherry pie afterward.”

Austin's father paused before he announced, “That may be true, Son, but George's pa was not IN the

cherry tree.”

Four Morals To This Story

1.  The Truth, though necessary, can hurt. “Ouch!”

2.  Put extra padding in the seat of your pants BEFORE you fess up.

3.  Always knock beforehand, to ensure no one is USING the outhouse.

4. You can't have your pie and chop down the tree, too.

My romance novel, JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS is based on my parents' story, set during the Great Depression. Austin Brady is a mischievous character who loves to tease Jenny Larsen. He says she's prettiest when she's riled. Jenny is sure Austin is a thief because he fled with her valise.

Watch the sparks fly!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FEDR8O8#