“I Will Be Good”

StoryIllustration

When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t realize that she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she would become the queen of England. Upon hearing this, Victoria quietly said, “Then I will be good.”

— Herb Vander Lugt

Herb Vander Lugt, Our Daily Bread.

The point

Told for the first time that she will one day be queen of England, young Princess Victoria's simple response - 'Then I will be good' - reveals how much a sense of calling can change a person's resolve.

Audience

AdultsChildren

To tell aloud

under a minute · 70 words

Subjects

Calling Character Responsibility Obedience Motivation Purpose

Community

Loading discussion...

AI tools

More like this

Steve Jobs approached John Sculley, then president of PepsiC…★★★★

Steve Jobs approached John Sculley, then president of PepsiCo, and asked him a question that forced him to ponder his pu…

— Steve Jobs

The Angel Imprisoned Within★★★★

One day Michelangelo found a piece of rough marble cast aside as useless. When told that no good thing could be wrought …

— Unknown

King Henry III and the Monastery★★★★

In the 11th century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and applied to Prior Richard at a local monaster…

— Unknown

A ship in port is safe, but this is not what ships are built…★★★★

A ship in port is safe, but this is not what ships are built for.

— Grace Hopper

The Custom-Made Bowling Ball★★★★

ONE of the ways that you know a bowler is serious about bowling is that they have custom-made balls. These are construct…

— Tony Evans

There is no man living that can do the work that God has got…★★★★

There is no man living that can do the work that God has got for me to do. No one can do it but myself. And if the work …

— D. L. Moody

Find more illustrations →