What is the main idea franklin is trying to convey by telling the story of the smith?

Franklin tries to convey the idea of rife and widespread mediocrity in certain people, of how negligence sometimes drive moderate quality in outcomes, and how people in general hold to upshots which are not very good, and alas it takes a special kind to reach excellence, hence unfortunately "most people will not reach perfection".

explanation:

you only need simple sentences to answer this. just answer these questions.

what do you think annie thinks of the mother? do you think annie believes the mother is a fit mother for helen.

what about the father? what would annie think of him? she might not like him, but does she respect him.

how about the son? would annie think he is the only voice of sanity in an insane place?

what about helen herself? this is the key question. how does she see helen? what do you suppose she thought her first job was going to be.

these aren't hard questions. just state the obvious. annie is not that well educated: she just knows what she has to do. write it that way.

you can do it if you've read the book or seen the play or movie.

being untruthful

eating too much

overstaying one's welcom

this is that correct answer.