The Importance of Honesty

Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs grew up in Shady Pines Story Town. From the time he was a young child, he was seen around town helping the neighbors. His parents taught him to be respectful and always say please and thank you, and to hold the door open for someone who had their hands full with groceries or stuff.

As a teenager, he worked at the corner grocer stocking shelves and keeping the place neat and tidy. Everyone liked Beauregard, but they noticed every so often he stretched the truth a bit.

Even a ‘Fib’ Is a Lie

But, like his name, Fibbs, he did have a little trouble with the truth. There was the time he told his friends that Mrs. Billingsley tipped him $3 dollars to take her groceries to the car for her. That was a bit of a stetch.

When word of that got back to Mrs. Billingsley, she was surprised and decided to have a talk with that young man.

“Now see here, Beauregard, you’re going around telling people something that just isn’t true,” the silver haired woman told the young clerk. “You know full well I tipped you $1.50. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Well, Beau felt very badly and just looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Billingsley. I don’t know why I told them that.”

Mrs. Billingsley shook her head. “It’s important that you tell the truth. Why my late husband, Harry, used to say that a man is only as good as his word. And, Beauregard, I want you to grow up to be a good man.”

Only As Good As Your Word

Well, young Beau felt very badly about what he’d done. He promised himself to do better in the future. Because so many people in town know him, they go out of their way to help him. Beacuse of their support, Beauregard tries very hard to always tell the truth. 

No one keeps him on the right path better than the editor of The Shady Pines Gazette newspaper, Zulah Talmadge. Zulah and Beauregard grew up together. When they were kids and she’d get mad at him lying to her, Zulah would threaten to tell everybody what the P stands for in Beauregard P. Fibbs. That would do it. Beau really doesn’t like people to know that his middle name is, Percival!

Of course, nowadays as the town’s mayor, he sometimes does fall back into old habits. The thing is, when Beauregard does get caught telling a fib, he is very sorry and admits his mistake. That’s why people in town like him. Even though like the rest of us he’s not perfect, they know he’s doing his best to be a good person.

A Special Mayoral Election

You can find out more about the time Mayor Fibbs had to own up to his mistakes by reading Boomer and Halley Election Day – A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility. You’ll meet a whole bunch of Shady Pines characters as well. Click on the book cover to experience an election like none other!