A ValueTales: Stories for Growing Good People

As Harriet got older, her desire for freedom grew stronger. She heard stories about something called the Underground Railroad.
“What is the Underground Railroad, Harriet?” I asked
her.
“It’s a secret way to escape to freedom,” she explained. “Some white people and black people help slaves travel along safe paths. The houses the slaves hide in are called ‘stations’ on the ‘railroad.”” Many slaves made it to freedom, but Harriet saw how slaves who were caught were brought back in chains. She was too scared to attempt it herself.
Instead, Harriet decided she would work hard baking pies and then sell them door-to-door to earn money. You see, if slaves could sometimes make enough money to give to their owners, they were able to buy their own freedom.
“Starry,” she asked me, “how many pies do you think I’ll have to bake to earn enough money?”
“I think we’re getting closer, Harriet,” I whispered. “Let’s keep baking!”
Harriet listened to herself, smiled, and went back to work more determined than ever to secure her freedom. While out selling her pies, Harriet met a woman who saw how determined she was to be free.
“If you want to escape,” she said to Harriet, “I can send you to people who will help you along the way.” That’s when I whispered to Harriet, “If you accept her help, it can get you to a place where you may be able to help other slaves.”
Harriet thought a long time about whether she should attempt to escape. Harriet knew that there were people who were risking their own freedom in order to help slaves like her. But it would still be very dangerous.