John’s New Sled

By Donna Lugg Pape

Remember in all things the poor and the needy (D&C 52:40).

Illustrated by Julie F. Young

John woke up one morning.

John jumped out of bed.

“It’s snowing!” John yelled.

“I can use my new sled.”

John put on his coat,

His pants and socks and shoes,

And raced down the stairs

To tell Mother the news.

John ate toast and eggs,

And hurried outside.

Then John and his sled

Went to take a fast ride.

They went to a big hill

All covered with snow.

John saw many sleds

Whizzing down in a row.

As John and his new sled

Were ready to slide,

A poorly dressed boy said,

“May I please have a ride?”

John looked at the boy

Who was standing alone.

He could see that this boy

Had no sled of his own.

John thought for a minute;

He looked at his sled.

He looked at the big hill.

Then John nodded his head.

“You may ride down with me.

My sled is brand new,”

John said. “It’s a big one

And just right for two.”

They whizzed down the big hill,

Down, down, down to its end—

John, his shiny new sled,

And John’s brand-new-found friend.