Linda

Linda is an Odyssey girl who plans to attend a Sunday-school party with Johnny Bickle. When Johnny gives her a calculator to help with mathematics, she believes he is insulting her intelligence and angrily cancels their plans. Her reaction leaves Johnny confused because he is trying to practice the Golden Rule. After he learns that kindness should not depend on receiving the response he wants, Linda returns and accepts his good intentions. She even offers to help him with spelling because he wrote her name incorrectly on the gift card. Linda's misunderstanding shows how easily a clumsy act of generosity can sound hurtful, while her willingness to come back gives both children a chance to treat each other more thoughtfully.