THE GOLDEN COIN

The “Golden Coin”, a story on honesty, is an interesting and educational story that
will teach your child the significance of honesty and integrity. This story is about a
little boy named Sam who goes to the market buy food for his family. While Sam is
walking home he notices an old man in a red robe who drops a golden coin. Sam’s
family is very poor so out of instinct he thinks about all the ways the coin could help
his sick mother and starving family. However, Sam knows that stealing is wrong, so
he gives the coin back to the old man in the red robe. Little does Sam know that this
noble deed will change his life forever.

Story:
Sam went to the market. His dad gave him a few coins to buy food, There were also
people selling cloth and jewels. I’d like some bread and five eggs, please. That will
be eight coins, young man. That was all he had because his family was poor. His two
younger sisters and his mother could eat that. Sam looked at the old man who was in
front of him. He was wearing a red robe and had a cane. He saw something fall from
his pocket. It was a golden coin! (The middle ages were a historical periods that began
with the fall of the Roman Empire and ended with the discovery of the Americas or
the invention of the printing press. Medieval cities were characterized by having a
castle, a big walls and fortresses.) Sam picked up the coin. He thought of all the things
he could buy with it. When he sees him, the butcher asks, “Would you like a bit of
meat? A chicken, maybe? Sam didn’t know what to say. He looked at the people
selling blankets. His mother needed a blanket. Was that the right thing to do though?
Something was telling him no. ( In medieval markets, townspeople could buy and
trade food, grains, spices, fabrics, jewels and much more. Peasants sold goods from
the fields and animals. There were also activities like music, theater and painting.)
Sam made a decision. He ran up to the old man and called him. “Excuse me, sir. You
dropped this coin. Thank you. You did the right thing. Can I ask you for a favor? I
have to bring this letter to the palace but I’m very old, very old and very tired. Could
you take it? You mustn’t open it.” Sam nodded yes and took the letter. To get to the
palace he’d have to cross the forest. (Wall were constructions made of stone to protect
cities and castles. They were also used to separate territories or to make borders. They
had watchtowers, which were built to watch out for any enemies trying to climb over
the walls.) (A castle is a kind construction that was very characteristic of the middle
ages. They were protected by walls and sometimes by a surrounding moat. Kings and
nobles lived there. Castles also had a military function to defend cities.) The forest
was dark. Sam approached the fountain of temptations. There was a statue that could
speak. “ I’m sorry, I hadn’t seen you. I’m in a hurry. I have to take this letter to the
royal palace. That’s so interesting! What does the letter say? I don’t know. They told
me I can’t open it. It must be very important. It could be a treasure map. Or the
ingredients for a potion to cure a disease. Why don’t you open it? What if the statue
was right? The letter could be the solution to problems. (Imagination) Sam decided to
open the envelope. Suddenly, the letter burst into flames. He couldn’t read it. The old
man appeared at his side. He was sad. I’m sorry. The statue tricked me and I opened
the letter. That letter would have give you a big surprise. What a shame. You’re not
the person I was looking for. Since Sam had given him back the coin, the man gave
him some food as a reward. Even so, he went home sad because he had failed him.
Sam looks at the letter and decides not to open it. He’d given the old man his word.
He continued walk his path until he reached the royal palace. He went to see the king.
“Welcome, Sam. I believe you have a message for me. Yes, your majesty. The old
man told me it was very important.” The king took the letter from Sam. He was very
pleased because Sam had kept his promise not to open the envelope. Sam, I am an old
king and have no children. I have been searching for someone good, good and honest
like you. You are that person. I hereby name you my heir. You will be the new king!
(What was written on the letter?) Sam was a good and honest boy. He demonstrated it
by giving the old man back the coin and by delivering the letter to the king in a closed
envelope, just like he promised.