(Feb. 2, 1909)
Will pondered much on what Mr. Mullaney had said, and the following Monday he sought help from where many an answer had come. Surely, he thought lunchtime would never arrive; when it came, he spoke with Mrs. Ingram quietly at her desk.
“Grandma, what exactly does the word frugal mean? Mr. Mullaney said he has frugal blood flowing through his veins, and that is why he refuses to feed big horses.”
Mrs. Ingram smiled, then responded, “Well, why don’t we apply to the expert on the English language, and then possibly I will expound.”
With that, Mrs. Ingram reached for her prized 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary. In turning to the word frugal, she read verbatim the definition: “Frugal – Economical in the use or appropriation of money, goods, or provisions of any kind; saving unnecessary expense, either of money or of anything else which is to be used or consumed; sparing; not profuse, prodigal or lavish. We ought to be frugal not only in the expenditure of money and of goods, but in the employment of time.”
Mrs. Ingram then paused, and looking at Will she continued: “I want you to note that Mr. Webster said that ‘we ought to be frugal.’ The reason he says this is not of his own opinion, it is Biblical, and we as Christians, should follow the teachings provided us in God’s Word. The teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples speak much concerning a frugal and moderate lifestyle. It’s not just concerning money mind you, as Mr. Webster stated when he wrote, ‘not profuse, prodigal or lavish.’”
Will interjected, “You mean like the prodigal son?”
Mrs. Ingram nodded, turned in the dictionary to the word prodigal, then continued.
“Many people attribute the prodigal son with being wasteful of his inheritance – which was true, but, as Mr. Webster also states in his definition of prodigal, that a man may also be ‘prodigal (wasteful) of his strength, of his health, of his life, or blood, as well as his money.‘
“So, although frugality includes the subject of money, it is all encompassing when one realizes that it is our whole lifestyle of moderation which is of equal importance. Hence, the apostle Paul said ‘let your moderation be known unto all men’ (Philippians 4:5).
“Obviously, he didn’t say this as being boastful, but that one’s lifestyle should be a living banner for all men to witness.”
Mrs. Ingram paused and then asked, “Remember that Mr. Webster said we ‘ought to be frugal?’”
Will nodded yes.
Reaching for her Bible, Mrs. Ingram continued: “Well, as I said before, he was not expressing his own opinion, for it says right here in 1 John 2:6 ,‘He that saith he abideth in Him (Jesus) ought himself to walk, even as He walked.’ Jesus was very frugal in all aspects of His earthly life. So, if we are to walk as He walked, should we not be frugal also?”
Will nodded in agreement.
Just then a gleam appeared in Mrs. Ingram’s eye, and she continued, “But oftentimes, men confuse being frugal with parsimonious.”
Will’s eyes grew large; chuckling, he questioned, “Persimmonous? Is that like when uncle John hoards all of the persimmons for himself?”
Mrs. Ingram laughed, and exclaimed, “Well, that is very close, but I said Parsimonious!
“Possibly, the best way to describe Parsimonious would be to say stingy – or tight with one’s money, resources or time.”
Amused at Will’s honest mistake she continued, “And I reckon persimmons could be included as a resource.”
Will spoke again, “Boy, he sure hoards ’em! You have to stay on your toes when the persimmons start turning ripe, because he will rob every tree from here to home!”
Mrs. Ingram continued, “Parsimonious is kind of a complicated word, but it differs from frugal as parsimonious is more out of a love for money, or the possession in question; where frugal is not. As we know, Jesus was not a lover of money, he helped the fatherless and the widow, and the Pharisees despised Him for it; for they were indeed parsimonious.”
Will looked very troubled, and then he spoke cautiously. “Mr. Mullaney said that being frugal was why he refused to feed big horses. Is Mr. Mullaney being par…par-see-monee-us instead?”
Mrs. Ingram smiled.
“No, my dear. What Mr. Mullaney meant, is that he refuses to own the bigger horses, when the ponies consume far less, and can do the same job.”
She smiled again, and continued.
“Yes, I too have seen Mr. Mullaney’s tough little ponies. Will, being Irish, Mr. Mullaney may not speak like the rest of us, and I know that he tends to be very bold – some would say opinionated – on certain matters. But I know that he is a very serious man concerning his faith, and I want to share something with you about him that speaks louder than words. I ask, that it remain between the two of us. Alright?”
Will nodded yes, and she continued. “Do you see this fine Dictionary? It is very costly. Well, Mr. Mullaney secretly purchased it for the betterment of you all, as he also purchased the chalk and erasers that we will use this school year.”
Motioning toward the window she continued.
“And do you see that huge store of firewood out there under the shed? Mr. Mullaney cut all of it himself, and then delivered it with a team of those fine frugal ponies! Only he, Mrs. Mullaney, and I know of it. And of course, now you.”
Will almost burst into tears, as he responded, “I knew it! I just knew Mr. Mullaney could not be persimmon, um, I mean par-see-monee-us!”
Mrs. Ingram smiled.
“No, dear, he sure isn’t.”
With that, Lil’ Will hugged his teacher around the neck. His muffled voice caused her heart to swell.
“Thank you, Grandma! And, thank you for not being par-see-monee-us with your time!”
Lord willing, until next time.
Michael Everett Jones is a Texas County native, old fashioned historian and purveyor of traditional Christian values. Email ozarksgrandpajones@gmail.com.