If you ever hold a $100 bill in your hand, you will see Benjamin Franklin's picture. His famous face reminds Americans of what it means to be a good leader.
Strong leaders can set goals and plan activities to accomplish them. Kids are likely to follow their example. Sometimes leaders make poor choices, but they can learn from their mistakes and become better leaders. Even famous people like Ben Franklin have made decisions they later regretted.
When he was a boy, Ben and his friends enjoyed fishing in a millpond. Because they fished often, their favorite fishing spot soon turned to mud. One day, Ben spotted a pile of heavy stones being used to construct a nearby house. He convinced his friends to carry the stones away during the night and to build a wharf over the mud. The next morning, construction workers discovered the stolen stones and the boys responsible.
Unfortunately, Ben misled his friends into wrongdoing. He also caused the workers added labor and expense. At first, he tried to argue with his father about the usefulness of the wharf. In the end, Ben realized the value of honesty and the responsibility that comes with being a good leader.
Question
Why does the author include the story about building a wharf?