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Despite a very sad childhood, Truman had one shining star. His elderly cousin Sooke navigated him through a tough patch, teaching him right from wrong, and good from evil.

When he was dumped in rural Alabama by parents who did not want to be responsible in raising him, this bright, sensitive, lonely boy temporarily found an anchor in Sooke.

Bullied abusively by many, but in particular by a near do well named Odd, he dreaded going to school. Told by Odd that he was beating him to "toughen him up", Truman truly never did toughen up. Both as a child and an adult, Truman was an incredibly insecure person.

In this story, when he confesses to Sooke that he fears Odd, she explains that Odd and his family are poorer than most, that his father is not exactly a great man, and that his mother does the best she can.

Sooke tells Truman he must invite Odd to the family Thanksgiving dinner. Sooke paves the way and Thanksgiving day finds Odd in Truman's company. Jealous beyond comprehension, Truman seethes when Odd is given attention by family members.

The opportunity for revenge strikes when Truman observes Odd stealing Sookes one and only valuable item -- an old cameo.

Deliberately embarrassing Odd, Truman waits for the opportunity to announce to those at the table that Odd is a thief.

Sooke becomes incredibly angry at Truman, berating him and noting that it is never right to deliberately exhibit cruelty.

Sadly, in the pages of the book Truman seems to understand this lesson. If real life, this adage is not carried through.

Five stars for this well-written, poignant tale. ( )

a quick, easy read. well written, good message.


"'There's just this I want to say, Buddy. Two wrongs never made a right. It was wrong of him to take the cameo. But we don't know why he took it. Maybe he never meant to keep it. Whatever his reason, it can't have been calculated. Which is why what you did was much worse: you planned to humiliate him. It was deliberate. Now listen to me, Buddy: there is only one unpardonable sin - deliberate cruelty. All else can be forgiven. That, never. Do you understand me, Buddy?'

I did, dimly, and time has taught me that she was right. But at that moment I mainly comprehended that because my revenge had failed, my method must have been wrong."
( )

Very good short story. ( )

based on Capotes own life a wonderful read. ( )