The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

64 THE FREEMAN JanuaryThere were empty stomachs whencrops were destroyed by fire,drought, locusts or storm. Sicknessmight mean death because doctorsand medicine were scarce on thefrontier. Everyone except the veryold and very young had to work.The pleasures were simple - noradios, automobiles, televisions andthe like. There was little money onhand, so Christmas presents forthe children might be a penny anda stick of candy! There were happytimes and terrible times, each apart of living.Third, and most important, thesebooks can help us recapture thespirit of the pilgrims,patriots, andpioneers who founded this nationand made it great. Part of thatspirit is the taste for independenceand a sense of individual responsibility.Laura's family didn't expectanyone else to take care of them.They took care of themselves andrecognized that having freedommeans the freedom to fail as wellas to succeed. Another part of thisgreat spirit is not to bemoan one'sfate or complain about not gettingone's "fair share" of the world'sgoods. Another, is a sense of communitywhere so much is accomplishedon a voluntary basis, everyonepitching in to contribute whateverhe can in time, talent andmoney.In answer to inquiries about herselfand her books Laura wrote:"The Little House Books arestories of long ago. Today our wayof living and our schools are muchdifferent; so many things havemade living and learning easier.But the real things haven'tchanged. It is still best to be honestand truthful; to make the most ofwhat we have; to be happy withsimple pleasures and to be cheerfuland have courage when thingsgo wrong. Great improvements inliving have been made because everyAmerican has always been freeto pursue his happiness, and so longas Americans are free they willcontinue to make our country evermore wonderful."It is no easy matter for today'schildren to learn these truths, butso long as these books are read thelessons will not be lost. t)