Farmer Boy

The family goes to town for the Independence Day festivities. No one works today, and all the stores are closed to celebrate the Fourth of July. In town, they enjoy hearing the band playing songs like “Yankee Doodle” and are awed by the war cannons. The American flag rises, and the crowd sings the National Anthem together. A Congressperson reads the Declaration of Independence, and other politicians give speeches.

Afterward, Almanzo meets his cousin Frank at the lemonade stand. Frank is holding a nickel and teases Almanzo that he can’t get a nickel from his father for lemonade, unlike Frank. Almanzo claims he can, but feels sheepish when he finds Father talking to another man. He explains the situation with Frank, and Father shows him a half-dollar instead, which is a lot of money. Almanzo learns that hard work goes into earning a half-dollar, since a bucket of their potatoes is worth a half-dollar. Almanzo can spend the money however he sees fit, though Father suggests a pig to raise and have piglets that can benefit the family. Almanzo shows Frank and the other boys his half-dollar, which amazes them.

After a picnic, they head home. Father teaches Almanzo another lesson about how farmers built the country even though soldiers fought the English.