We are back with our old friend Oscar Wilde, who has several stories to hear here on Just Listen, with a didactic tale meant to be read to children called “The Devoted Friend.”

This tale was included in William Bennet's Book of Virtues-an anthology of tales with moral lessons for children and adults. Bennett served as Secretary of Education for President Ronald Reagan and often made school trips during his tenure. According to Bennett, the Book of Virtues grew out of conversations with teachers, who expressed difficulty in communicating common moral principles to diverse student bodies. This is a great story for parents to share with their children, about what friendship is, and what it isn't.

And now, “The Devoted Friend” by Oscar Wilde…we begin….