George Washington and His Hatchet

"George Washington and His Hatchet" by James Baldwin is a children's book that tells the legendary story of young George Washington and his famous encounter with a cherry tree. The tale emphasizes themes of honesty and virtue, showcasing Washington’s admirable character as a boy who, after admitting to chopping down the tree, demonstrates integrity and truthfulness. Baldwin’s narrative brings to life the early life of America’s first president in an engaging and accessible way for young readers, highlighting the moral lessons that accompany history’s most celebrated figures.

• Short story

								
When George Wash-ing-ton was quite a little boy, his father gave him a
hatchet. It was bright and new, and George took great delight in going
about and chopping things with it.

He ran into the garden, and there he saw a tree which seemed to say to
him, "Come and cut me down!"

George had often seen his father's men chop down the great trees in
the forest, and he thought that it would be fine sport to see this
tree fall with a crash to the ground. So he set to work with his
little hatchet, and, as the tree was a very small one, it did not take
long to lay it low.

[Illustration]

Soon after that, his father came home.

"Who has been cutting my fine young cherry tree?" he cried. "It was
the only tree of its kind in this country, and it cost me a great
deal of money."

He was very angry when he came into the house.

"If I only knew who killed that cherry tree," he cried, "I would--yes,
I would"--

"Father!" cried little George. "I will tell you the truth about it. I
chopped the tree down with my hatchet."

His father forgot his anger.

"George," he said, and he took the little fellow in his arms, "George,
I am glad that you told me about it. I would rather lose a dozen
cherry trees than that you should tell one false-hood."
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes