The Heart of the Rose

"The Heart of the Rose," written by Mabel McKee and published by Fleming H. Revell in 1913, is a short story about moral purity. The story begins when Beth, a young girl of twelve, is handed her baby brother and told that she will need to be "both a mother and sister to him." The story doesn't give details, but apparently Beth and her brother Floyd were orphans. The story fast-forwards 17 years to when Floyd is about to leave for college. A young friend stop by, and Beth overhears her brother speaking of girls in a course and unseemly manner. Two girls then join the party, and Beth observes the young couples behaving in a loose and familiar manner. The rest of the story tells how Beth managed to deter things from progressing further, and the touching conversation she has with her brother on how he ought to behave towards a girl. Beth tells him the story of an unblemished rose, and in the course of the conversation, finally reaches her brother's heart. The book ends with Floyd quoting from Sir Galahad, "my strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure." The principles in this book, which may be considered strait-laced by many, are nonetheless much-needed by many in our world today. Though short, this charming story of the rose provides another opportunity to reinforce the beauty of moral purity to young men and young ladies alike.