I remember as a kid growing up, we never experienced the so-called "peer pressure" children are experiencing today.  I recently heard and shared with my Sunday school class a story about a young boy going through such a time in his life.  I hope you take the time to share it with your children.  The story goes like this...

School had ended and it was time for summer vacation.  Little Frankie and Gabby went to visit their Grandparents out in the country.  It was a great get-a-way from the hussle and bussle of the city life.  No traffic to fight, no noise other than the roosters crowing early in the morning.  You could hear the sounds of birds for miles.

One day Grandpa had a little surprise for Frankie.  It was a slingshot.   "Here son, go out and practice shooting with this.  It will help your eye and hand coordination."

Little Frankie went out that morning and began experimenting with his newfound toy.  He'd aim at his target and sure enough he'd miss.  He aimed at cans and or anything he's spot with no luck whatsoever.  He became a little discouraged when he realized he just couldn't control his shots. 

After a couple of hours of playing around with his new slingshot, he decided to call it quits for the day.  As he was headed back to the farmhouse, he spotted Grandma's little favorite pet duck.  He thought about if for a minute and then said, what the heck, I'll probably miss anyway.  I couldn't hit the side of a barn if I tried.

He looked around and made sure nobody was looking.  He loaded a rock about the side of a quarter and pulled back as hard as he could.  He closed one eye and aimed at the small duck.  He heard the swish of the rock as it flew by his ear.  His eyes got bigger as the rock got closer to the duck.  Terror instantly set in as he watched the rock hit the duck on the head.  The poor little duck collapsed and fell to the ground.

Little Frankie quickly ran over and picked up the duck and ran to the back of the barn knowing it was dead.  He quickly began to bury it under a pile of rocks.  Just as the covered the little duck with the last rock, he turned around only to see his little sister Gabby staring at him with her hands on her hips giving him an ugly look.

He looked at her in desperation and said, "Please don't say anything!"

Before she had time to answer, they heard Grandma calling them to come inside.  It was time for lunch.

They all sat quietly around the kitchen table as they ate their meal.

"Oh, by the way Gabby, I want you to help me wash dishes after we're through eating" said grandma.

"But Granda", said Gabby, "Frankie said he wanted to help you!

Frankie looked at her totally surprised and was just about to say something when Suzy whispered to him in a low voice, "Remember the duck?"

Frankie immediately stopped and said, "Yeah Grandma, I'll help you."

Later on that evening, Grandpa said to Gabby, "Sweetie, I need for you to help me out with a project."

"But Grandpa, Frankie said he wanted to help you", said little Gabby.

Frankie again couldn't believe his ears and then before he could say anything, he heard Gabby say, "Remember the duck?"

This went on for days and finally Frankie got fed up with his younger sister.  He decided it was time to come clean.

He went up to Grandma and said, "Grandma, I need to be honest with you.  The other day I was out playing with my slingshot and I accidently killed your little baby duck after I hit him on the head with a rock.  I want to apologize to you and tell you that I'm sorry."

Grandama replied, "Son, I saw the whole thing.  I was standing by the window looking out when it happened.  I was only waiting to see how long you were going to let your sister be your slave master."

Peer pressure.  That's what everyone calls it today.