The Boy Scout

"The Boy Scout" by Richard Harding Davis is a novella written in the early 20th century. This story revolves around the theme of personal sacrifice and the virtues of kindness as embodied by the Boy Scouts, illustrating the importance of performing good deeds. Through the narrative, the text explores the values and experiences of young boys engaged in outdoor activities and communal living. The plot follows Jimmie Reeder, a dedicated Boy Scout, as he embarks on an adventure to attend an annual camp on Hunter's Island. Throughout his journey, Jimmie demonstrates the Scout motto of doing a good turn daily, starting with giving a dime to his sister for the movies. During a challenging trek under the sweltering sun, he encounters a wealthy young man in a racing car who offers him a ride. However, Jimmie refuses to accept the ride, believing it would not constitute a genuine good turn as it would involve no sacrifice on his part. Instead, he remains committed to walking to fulfill his obligation to help others selflessly. This commitment, alongside a series of interwoven stories about other characters affected by Jimmie's decisions, underscores a broader message about the value of altruism and how one act of kindness can spark a chain of positive changes in the lives of many. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Harding Davis was an American journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish–American War, the Second Boer War, and World War I. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt. He also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion, and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.