Nearly 20 years ago, Des Moines lawyer Rick Autry suggested to his father that they co-author a book about virtues that could be read to and by children.

James Autry, a local author and former editor and executive at Meredith Corp., mentioned the idea to his literary agent, who said there was no demand for virtue books.

They tried again more recently, and this time the agent saw a need for virtue.  

Their book, “Everyday Virtues: Classic Tales to Read With Kids,” was published recently by Smyth & Helwys of Macon, Ga. It contains 24 stories focused on six virtues: justice, humility, courage, compassion, freedom and respect.

The virtues often overlap, the authors explain, because justice cannot exist without compassion and courage, and freedom is often the partner of respect and compassion.

Rick Autry collected and wrote the stories with James serving as adviser and editor. Many are adventures that Rick told or read to his own children, who are now grown. They include ancient folk tales from around the world, along with two Autry family stories.

“Worshiping With the Enemy” is a true Civil War story that was first recorded by James Autry’s father, Ewart Autry, about his own grandmother, Betty Elliot, when she was a teenager living in the hills of northern Mississippi.

It occurred in the church Betty attended at a time when two of her Confederate soldier brothers were missing in action and presumed dead or captured.

One Sunday, the church was suddenly surrounded by Yankee soldiers who dismounted and asked if they could pray with the 30 members of the congregation. 

A debate ensued, which Betty ended by reminding her neighbors that Jesus had said, “Father, forgive them.” 

A much older war story is titled “Martin, the Peaceable Soldier” and is about a Roman who refused to fight after becoming a Christian. 

After telling his commanders that he could no longer fight, Martin rode into battle unarmed at the front of a legion of soldiers. The battle commenced but quickly ended with some saying that Martin’s example convinced others that it was better to work out their disagreements without fighting.

Martin went on to become a holy man and patron saint of France. His life was widely celebrated each year on Nov. 11, which coincidentally became Armistice Day in 1918 when World War I ended on that same day.

Similar bravery was demonstrated by Buffalo Calf Woman, a Native American who saved her brother during battle with the U.S. Cavalry in Montana in 1876. 

The brother was pinned down by rifle fire when his sister rode unarmed to his rescue, collecting him and riding away.

The U.S. commander called off the attack after witnessing her bravery and deciding, “If their little sisters fight like this, what will their warriors be like?”

My favorite in the book is an ancient story called “The Stolen Smell.”

In it a poor man discovers he can flavor his bread by holding it near a fire where a merchant is smoking meat. 

The merchant demands payment for the smoke, and the case is presented to a wise woman. 

She takes the poor man’s only coin before ruling that the merchant is owed something for the smoke. 

Then with a loud ping, she flips the coin back to the poor man and says the merchant’s payment is the sound of the coin.  

I’ve included only the basics of a few of these stories. To get the full effect, they should be read aloud, preferably to young children, although anyone can enjoy them.

By hearing the stories, you’ll better appreciate the rich embroidery in which the Autrys have packaged these six everyday virtues.