Nellie's Diary

September 18

This is the private diary of Nellie Oleson. Keep out! Willie, that means you. Like I said before, my name is Nellie Oleson. My parents own the mercantile. It is the best mercantile in all of Walnut Grove...well, actually, it's the only mercantile. But that makes it the best. I come from the richest family in all of Walnut Grove. Everyone else is poor, especially the Ingalls.

I beat Laura Ingalls and her sister Mary in jump rope today. I got to 100. Laura got 90. Mary only got about 10. Laura told some lie about Mary getting hurt by a horse – some people will do anything to excuse losing. But then again, normally Mary is good at jump rope. Maybe she really did get hurt by a horse.

I have to go now. Mother is calling me to supper.

September 20

Willie stayed home from school today with a stomachache. I told him not to eat so much candy. But he never listens to me.

Mary Ingalls really did get hurt by a horse. Her parents had to take her all the way to Rochester for surgery. I wonder how they afforded it.

September 25

Today in school we got our math tests back. As usual, I got an A. Mother was so proud.

But I cheated on the test. I cheat a lot, but I've never been caught. I'm scared to tell her. It's not that I'm afraid I'll get in trouble (I never get punished), I'm afraid if Mother knows I cheated she won't be proud of me anymore.

November 1

I saw a girl riding on a horse today. Whenever I see horses, I think of Bunny. Bunny was Laura's horse, but then Father bought her for me. A few months later, Father gave her back to Laura. He said I didn't deserve a horse because I didn't treat Bunny right. So Laura got Bunny back. Sometimes I wish I was like Laura. She has so many friends and she seems so happy. I have my dolls from Paris, though. But dolls aren't the same as friends.

I still wonder how the Ingalls paid for Mary's surgery.

November 3

Mother went away for a few days on a business trip for the mercantile. So for now it's just me, Father, and Willie.

Sometimes I feel so lonely. I have no any real friends. I'd play with Willie, but he's always off playing marbles. I hate playing marbles. Well, actually, I've never played before. I'm afraid I'll be really horrible at it. I'd better go do my homework.

November 4

Earlier tonight, I was feeling really rotten, so I decided to go sit out on the front steps of the school house. I got to thinking about how lonely I've been feeling lately, and I started to cry. Not fake crying like I usually do, I was really crying.

The next thing I know, Mrs. Ingalls is walking toward the school house.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I had to drop something off for Revered Alden. Nellie, what's wrong?" she said.

"Just leave me alone!"

"Come one, Nellie, whatever it is, you can tell me." She sat down next to me.

"Sometimes I just get so lonely. Everyone hates me because I'm so mean. I wish I had friends."

"In order to have friends, Nellie, first you need to be one."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Mrs. Ingalls sighed, "Nellie, if you want to have friends, you need to start being a bit nicer."

I thought about that.

"Is that all that's bothering you?"

"Well...no. I'm scared that if I don't get good grades, Mother won't love me anymore."

"Oh, Nellie, your mother will love you no matter what."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, I really do. Don't worry, Nellie." She smiled at me, "Now, it's late and I have to be getting home. I'll see you later."

"Good bye, Mrs. Ingalls. And thanks."

"Your welcome, Nellie," she replied.

It's really late night now, and I have to get to bed, but I wanted to write all that down. Tomorrow I'm going to take Mrs. Ingalls advice and be nicer. I just hope it works. Maybe it will, and maybe it won't. Just because I'm the richest girl in town doesn't mean I have to be the meanest. Wish me luck, diary.