In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, Ma'am," a Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones teaches that through respect and kindness of one another, we can bring change to community and its issues.

"Mindful," by Mary Oliver, embraces the idea that we should find beauty in the simple joys of life and through the natural world, rather than one of materialism.

"Snapping Beans," by Lisa Parker, teaches that hiding the truth from people we love hurts us more than just letting it out.