Uncle Ben : $b A story for little folks

In a sunny summer pasture on the edge of Riverdale, a group of lively children—Frank, Flora, Charley, and his sisters—spend an afternoon chasing strawberries and cooling off beneath a sprawling oak. Their playful wanderings bring them close to the modest cottage of Benjamin Gorham, an aging former sailor who now tends a small garden alone. Known to the townsfolk as “Uncle Ben,” he lives a quiet, proud life, stubbornly refusing any help despite his hard‑won hardships.

The youngsters, curious and mischievous, wonder whether the gruff old man might share the clear spring water that trickles near his land. Their conversations reveal a mix of sympathy and teasing, hinting at the tension between the children’s carefree world and Uncle Ben’s solitary routine. As they consider approaching him, the story gently explores themes of respect, empathy, and the quiet strength that can be found in unexpected friendships.