Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts

Parents and teachers adjure children to always be at their best behavior. The better the children behave, the more their elders approve of them.

But children quickly learn from their peers that there is such a thing as being too good. Obedient, cheerful automotons are inevitably scorned by their more spirited friends. A "perfect" child is sure to be saddled with the horrifying epithet "goody two shoes."

Goody Two Shoes was the name of a character featured in a 18th century nursery tale, attributed to the English novelist Oliver Goldsmith. The heroine was a poor but earnest child who had but one shoe. When she was given a matching pair, her joy was so boundless that she pointed to her little feet and exclaimed "two shoes!" to everyone she met.

The History of Little Goody Two Shoes was written as a morality tale for 18th century children, illustrating how the impoverished heroine was able to achieved fame, wisdom and riches as a result of her virtue and patience. We can compare the story of Little Goody Two Shoes to that of Pollyanna, the perky girl whose name we associate with syrupy optimism.

Radio Script > Goody Two Shoes