The Three Daughters

Once upon a time, there was a man who had several sons, who he brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  He did reasonably well, yet he always had the nagging thought that the particular skills and and lessons that he had to teach would have been better bestowed upon daughters. And so, though he was late in life, he asked God to grant him a few female children. His prayer was answered, and he named the girls Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy.