Rotary presents ethics lessons to first graders

Will Mauldin and Ellen Cowne of the Rotary Club visited the county’s five elementary schools recently to present “Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure,” a story that shares the Rotary’s “four-way test” with school children: 1.) is it the truth; 2.) is it fair to all concerned; 3.) will it build goodwill and better friendships; 4.) will it be beneficial to all concerned.

In the story, a child makes dumplings with apples from a neighbor’s yard, but then realizes he should have asked the neighbor for permission to use the apples. The two then work together to create an apple dumpling business, bringing in another friend to transport the apples to the market.

The story emphasizes how working together in an honest way can be beneficial to all.

“We want all children to know at an early age what ‘ethical’ means and this book is about ethics,” said Cowne.