Mr. Popples’ Pennies

Mr. Popples' Pennies is a story that shares the moral of how spreading happiness to others can be more rewarding than worrying about material possessions. Throughout this poetic tale, we follow a young girl as she seeks to find the answer as to why an elderly gentleman, seeming to have less than most, is always smiling. In following Mr. Popples down the forest bike trail, the young girl's curiosity continues to grow stronger until at last, she catches the man in his act of cheering up a weary traveler. Until realizing what Mr. Popples is actually doing, the young girl finds his behavior to be unusual and is still unsure of how this is supposed to be making him happy. Mr. Popples discovers the young girl and shares with her the wisdom behind his act. He states to the young girl that life is not about what we have but, is about the smiles that we bring to other people, especially those feeling down. The young girl and Mr. Popples observe the traveler and watch as his once unhappy face transforms to reveal a smile. It is in this moment that the young girl learns the true meaning behind Mr. Popples' happiness.