Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 12:51:00 EST
From: Steve Robinson 0006155173@MCIMAIL.COM
Subject: B-P Quotes & The Scoutmaster
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Found these on some old plaques in the mess hall at Camp Grayson at Lake Texoma this past weekend and thought I would share it with all of you.

YiS, Steve Robinson SM, Troop 1133 Plano, TX

The Scoutmaster by Edgar R. Guest

There isn't any pay for you, you serve without reward,
The boys who tramp the fields with you but little could afford,
And yet your pay is richer far than those who toil for gold,
For in a dozen different ways your service shall be told.

You'll read it in the faces of a troop of growing boys,
You'll read it in the pleasure of a dozen manly joys,
And down the distant future - you will surely read it then,
Emblazoned through the service of a band of loyal men.

Five years of willing labor and of brothering a troop,
Five years of trudging highways, with the Indian cry and whoop,
Five years of camp fires burning, not alone for pleasure's sake,
But the future generation which the boys are soon to make.

They have no gold to give you, but when age comes on to you,
They'll give you back the splendid things you taught them how to do,
They'll give you rich contentment and a thrill of honest pride,
And you'll see your nation prosper, and you'll all be satisfied.

Be prepared.

The end is character with purpose.

Just like Saint George of old the Boy Scouts of today fight against evil and unclean.

There is no religious side of the movement; the whole of it is based upon religion.

As a scout, you are obliged to do at least one good turn every day.

You can smile at the rain if you have pitched your tent properly.

Scouts learn endurances in the open. Like explorers, they carry their own burdens and 'paddle their own canoes.'

A scout is 'clean in thought, word and deed.'

The scout movement is a world-wide brotherhood.

A boy learning what he can as a scout, has a good chance in the world.

Obey the Scout Law.

Baden-Powell Chief Scout of the World.

Date: Tue, 26 Dec 1995 16:15:10 -0500
From: Rob White rsw@TFS.COM
Subject: Candle Power
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

The following are excerpts from _A Back Pocket Full Of Values_ by Francis E. Stein

CANDLES - by Francis E. Stein

Candle, candle, burning bright,
Just one candle for the night.

You will die before dawn's light,
By giving of yourself for another's sight.

People, people, scurrying through life,
To eternity you are but just one night.

Your dawn is breaking, where went the night,
Where went the light in your life's flight?

To curse the darkness or light a light,
Which is love, which is right?

Time spent kindly serving another's plight,
Will give happiness and purpose to your life.

Many candles burning throught many nights,
Will turn many wrongs into many rights.

Oh what a world, oh what a sight,
All our candles burning with all that might!

(Dedicated to Mary and to cheerful service to God, country, others and self; the roots of friendship, brotherhood, peace, and the World Brotherhood of Scouting.)

"We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled but as candles to be lit" - Robert H. Shaffer

FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION

Dear Youth and Friends of Youth, There are many values in a burning candle. First, it needs the help of a friend to start it on its mission to serve others. Once lit, its flame burns upward and outward. Its flickering flame makes dancing shadows that mesmerize its viewers into a mood for silent reading, story telling, or imaginary dreaming. One candle offers little light and heat, but one candle can light another candle. The power, sight and feeling of many burning candles is awesome.

How many values for living can you find in the poem and the above paragraph? Where is your candle? Who is going to light it? What could your one candle do? What can many candles do? Probe your inner voice. Listen and heed, change an ideal into a deed, and light up the world! Finally, a candle gives its life for others. When your candle finally says "good night," will its light have made a difference in another's "sight."

Love, Francis

"The best candle is understanding."
"A candle lights others and consumes itself."
"Life is not the wick or the candle - it is the burning."
"Better to light one candle than curse the darkness."
"A candle-glow can pierce the darkness."

How many good deed examples can you give that impacted the world?

"This I believe: A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a boy."

Help Other People

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of scouting, said this to scouts everywhere:

"I often think, when the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven, but the starts are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world. The stars are not all the same size: some are big, some are little, and some men have done small deeds but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they go to heaven. Try to make your hole in the blanket by good work while you are on earth. It is something to be good, but it is far better to do good."

Think of Baden-Powell's words when you promise "To help other people."

"Deeds are fruits, words are leaves." - English
"Good deeds are the best prayer." - Serbian
"Action is the proper fruit of knowledge." - English
"Better one living word than a hundred dead ones." - German

From _A Back Pocket Full Of Values_ By Francis E. Stein --

Rob White rsw@tfs.COM

Date: Sun, 5 May 1996 20:48:58 -0400
From: Bob Myers rmyers@ONE.NET
Subject: Re: Ceremony for the Baden-Powell Award
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

On Fri, 3 May 1996, "Settummanque, the blackeagle (MAJ) Mike L. Walton" <blackeagle@HCC-UKY.CAMPUS.MCI.NET> wrote:

>Here's the ceremony for the Baden-Powell Patrol Star

Thanks, Mike. Here's another one that I threw together at the last minute several weeks ago.

start ceremony******************

Baden-Powell Patrol Award Ceremony

SPL lights a gold candle and calls the troop to attention.

SPL: "Mr Scoutmaster, the __________ Patrol of Troop ____ has proven itself most worth and has completed all the requirements for the Baden-Powell Patrol Award."

SM: "Mr. Senior Patrol Leader, assemble the patrol."

SPL: "__________ patrol - front and center." SPL hands an unlit white candle to each Scout as they assemble. The patrol forms a line facing the troop with the SPL and ASPL at the ends.

SM: "Mr. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, what are the achievements of the Buck Patrol."

ASPL: "They have shown patrol spirit and have conducted themselves with great honor. They have fulfilled their duty to others through patrol service projects. They have had patrol meetings and have planned and carried out patrol events. They have helped with the planning and execution of the troop's program through their participation on the Patrol Leaders Council . Two of their member have recently advanced and they routinely present themselves in proper Scout uniforms."

SPL: "They have proven themselves worthy of this honor and the Patrol Leaders Council has confirmed their worthiness. In remembrance of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting and the creator of the Patrol Method, I recommend that the Buck Patrol be awarded the Baden-Powell Patrol Award to wear below their patrol patch as a symbol of their great achievements for all to see."

SM: "Mr. Senior Patrol Leader, you may present the Baden-Powell Patrol Award patch to the members of the Buck Patrol."

SPL and ASPL present the patch to each Scout. The SPL then lights the Patrol Leader's candle and asks him to light the candle next to him and raise his candle high until all candles are lit and raised high.

SM: "May the __________ Patrol continue to light the way for Troop ____ as we continue down our Scouting path. __________ Patrol - Be Prepared!"

__________ PATROL AND TROOP: "We are prepared!"

SPL and SM: "Congratulations!"

end ceremony********************

YIS,

Bob Myers, SM, Troop 575, Dan Beard Council, Cincinnati, Ohio rmyers@one.net

Date: Sat, 23 Dec 1995 01:33:43 -0500
From: "Michael F. Bowman" mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG
Subject: Gathering in the Spirit of Scouting
SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Over the months past we have gathered together here as a ragtag lot from points ranged around the globe with a rich variety of experience and eagerness to help youth to grow to their fullest enriching all humanity. We have shared the sorrows attendant on illness and death and the rich joy of seeing growth and achievement. We have traded ideas, opinions, and good natured humor. We have learned equally from older hands opening up their experience and from newer hands asking wonderfully challenging questions to keep us all questing for more. In doing all of this we have without thinking grown closer and have taken back to our communities more than any of us could have given alone.

Sitting back a moment to briefly reflect on these things while looking into the embers of our virtual campfire you can almost see B-P smiling back and feel the warmth of knowing that we have been rekindling the Spirit of Scouting a hundred times over to take back and spread the flame of Scouting in the hearts of our youth transcending all the things that might otherwise divide us. What a rich gift that is for each of us who seek to serve in the Spirit of Scouting.

As we find ourselves in the midst of this holiday season of joy, hope, and goodwill to all, I extend my hand across the distance to clasp yours in a warm shake to say thanks for all that you have done in Scouting and all that you are preparing to do. May your home be filled with warmth, happiness, and contentment as you celebrate the holidays and may your new year bring you satisfaction in knowing that you are continuing to make a difference in the lives of young peole who will shape our future destiny. Peace be with you all.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit,
Michael F. Bowman a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training, G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 17:23:40 -0500
From: John Philip Gilbreath jphil@TENET.EDU
Subject: Good Story
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

I have found many Scoutmaster Minutes, Songs, Stories, and all kinds of great i deas to use. Here is a talk that I give my staff at camp, the campers, students, Eagle CoH,and anywhere an inspirational talk is needed.

The Eagle and the Prarie Chickens

The Indian brave was walking by the cliffs when he stumbled across an eagle egg. He picked it up, turned his gaze upward, shook his head, and knew that he could not climb the cliff to return the egg to its nest. He searched until he found the nest of a prairie chicken and placed the egg in with the prairie chicken eggs. The eagle hatched and stayed on the ground with the prairie chickens scratching in the dirt for bugs and worms and seeds and never flying more than ten or fifteen feet, not knowing within its heart it had to ability to soar the skies.

One day a mighty eagle was soaring the skies when the little eagle looked up and exclaimed, "Wow, what kind of bird is that!" The prairie chickens hollered out, "Shut up! Tha's the mighty eagle. You'll never be able to soar like that. Keep scratching in the dirt for bugs and worms and seeds."

So the little eagle spent its life only flying a few feet from place to place on the ground as it scratched in the dirt for bugs and worms and seed with the rest of the prairie chickens. Finally, it died, not knowing that within it it had the ability to soar like the eagle, but lived its life listening to the prairie chick ens around it, and all it did was scratch in the dirt for bugs and worms and seed .

(From here modify to fit your audience.)

How many times to we listen to the prairie chickens in our lives when within us we have the ability to soar with the eagles. We would like to be challenged and soar, but the prairie chickens say, "You can't soar. Be happy to scratch in the dir t for bugs and worms and seeds." They say you're dumb, you're stupid, you can't do that. We listen, turn our heads and thoughts back to the ground and scratch in the dirt for bugs and worms and seeds.

Meanwhile back at the eagles' nest what has going on there. The eagles built the nest out of sticks that are not at all comfortable to lay on, so to make it a sof t and a suitable place to raise their young the eagles pull the soft downy feathers from their breasts and line the nest with these so that the little eaglets will have a nice soft warm place to grow up. Time has passed. the eaglets are now teenagers. They are kicked back watching MTV and hitting the icebox and cabinet for drinks and chips.

Deuteronomy 32:11 says, "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions..." Mom comes in and starts pulling out the soft downy feathers, tossing them to the wind. All of a sudden it is not such a soft place any more. The little ones are squirming and hollering, "Ouch!" The mother eagle then stirreth her nest, which is to say she kicks the little darlings out of the nest. They are now on the edge of the cliff by the nest. They look waaaaaaaaaay down! Momma eagle walks behind one of them and gives him a kick. Off he goes falling, falling, screaming, "Awaaaaa aaaaakkkk!" flapping and a flopping, falling hundreds of feet. The ground is rushing up , and it looks like the little one will be splattered on the rocks below. When right at the last moment the mother eagle swoops down, clasp the little eaglet in her great talons, and returns the little one to the cliff. With huge eyes and its heart pounding the little eagle looks up at its mom, and screams, "Don't ever do that again!!!! But guess what! Mother eagle knows that if the little ones are going to soar then they need to be pushed and challenged. Sure enough. She gives him another push, and another, and another until at last the eaglets begin to soar with great exuberance.

(Again change to fit your audience.)

We as Scouters need to be pushed and challenge so that we can do the same for our scouts. We must be careful not to be scratching in the dirt for bugs and worms and seeds, nor should we let our scouts scratch in the dirt for bugs and worms and seeds with they have within them the potential to soar.

I got the idea for this from John Hagee, pastor of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. I have expanded it, and thrown in a few thoughts.

Use and enjoy.

J. Phil

J. Phil Gilbreath Math John R. Lowrance Middle School 117 North Fourth Street Jacksboro, TX 76458 jphil@tenet.edu

Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1996 09:24:05 -0400
From: Wendy Meador nhmeadors@TOP.MONAD.NET
Subject: Re: Indian Chief & 3 Braves
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

> I am looking for the complete story about the Indian Chief and his
> tasking of the 3 Braves.

Don, This might be something you could use, it's kind of long (to post here) but hope it's the one you were thinking of:

"CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN"
From Woodland Tales By Ernest Thompson Seton

Afar in our dry southwestern country is an Indian village, and in the offing is a high mountain, towering up out of the desert. It is considered a great feat to climb this mountain. So that all the boys of the village were eager to attempt it. One day the Chief said; "Now boys you may all go today and try to climb the mountain. Start right after breakfast, and go each of you as far as you can. Then when you are tired, come back; but let each one bring me a twig from the place where he turned." Away they went full of hope each feeling that he surely could reach the top. But soon a fat, pudgy boy came slowly back, and in his hand he held out to the Chief a leaf of cactus. The Chief smiled and said, "My boy, you did not reach the foot of the mountain, you did not even get across the desert." Later, a second boy returned. He carried a twig of sagebrush. "Well," said the Chief, "You reached the mountain's foot but you did not climd upward." The next had a cottonwood spray. "Good", said the Chief, "You got up as far as the springs." Another came later with some buckthorn. The Chief smiled when he saw it and spoke thus: "You were climbing; you were up to the first slide rock." Late in the afternoon, one arrived with a cedar spray, and the old man said, "Well done. You went half way up." An hour afterward, one came with a switch of pine. To him the Chief said, "Good, you went to the third belt; you made it three quarters of the climb." The sun was low when the last returned. He was a tall, splendid boy of noble character. His hand was empty as he approached the Chief, but his countenance was radient, and he said: "My father, there were no trees where I got to; there were no twigs, but I saw the shining sea." Now the old man's face glowed, too, as he said aloud and almost sang: "I knew it. When I looked on your face, I knew it. You have been to the top. You need no twigs for token. It is written in your eyes, and rings in your voice. My boy, you have felt the uplift, you have seen the glory of the mountain."

Oh ye Scouts, keep this in mind, then: the badges that we offer for attainment are not "prizes." Prizes are things of value taken by violence from their rightful owners. These are merely tokens of what you have done or where you have been. They are mere twigs from the trail to show how far you got in climbing the mountain.

Date: Mon, 10 Jun 1996 14:10:53 -0400
From: Barbara Long blong@ED.SCETV.ORG
Subject: life and humor
To:SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

As my son was packing to go to Camp Barstow (our council's brand new summer camp on Lake Murray here in South Carolina) to work with the new scouts for the summer, he was asked by one of his friends when he was going to get a "real" job. I had to smirk at that one when I think of the skills that both youth summer staff and regular adult leaders in their own troops during the scouting year develop without really realizing it. I have enclosed one of my favorite quotes.

A human being should be able to heal a wound, plan an expedition, order from a French menu, climb a mountain face, enjoy a ballet, balance accounts, roll a kayak, embolden a friend, tell a joke, laugh at himself, cooperate, act alone, sing a children's song, solve equations, throw a dog a stick, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, love heartily, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. --Lew Hitchner

I have to go finish packing for Philmont. Anybody else out there 6/22-7/04 I will be on trek #15...the little short lady running to keep up with all these huge, tall scouts. Have a fun and safe summer, scouters.

Barbara Butler Long
ASM, Troop 100; Advisor, Post 221; Unit Commisioner, P and T 135
Columbia, South Carolina- Indian Waters Council 553 I used to be a Bobwhite...SE 604
Chapter Advisor and Brotherhood, Muscogee Lodge 221 Muscogee Cookteam- Fabulously Feeding Foxes for Over 50 years

Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 21:34:32 -0700
From: Alan Houser troop24@EMF.NET
Subject: Scoutmaster's Minute
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Here is a story I recently adapted into a Scoutmaster's minute that was well received by my Scouts.

Alan R. Houser
** Scoutmaster, Berkeley Troop 24 ** troop24@emf.net ** WWW page ** http://www.emf.net/~troop24/t24.html **

== * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * == * ==

Once there was a man who said some things about a friend that were neither true nor complimentary. Afterwards, he felt ashamed and went to his friend and apologized. Still, as he walked around town, he could hear the false words being repeated. Troubled by this, he went to the wisest man in the community.

"How can I undo this terrible wrong that I did", he asked the wise man. The wise man thought for a moment and said, "Bring me a feather pillow." The man did so and quickly returned. "Now go to the hilltop outside of town, slit open the pillowcase, and shake it until all of the feathers are gone." Again, the man quickly did as he was instructed. When he returned to the wise man, the wise man said, "Now go and pick up every single feather and place them all back into the pillowcase." The man replied, "But that's impossible. There is no way that I can find all those feathers and put them back." "Indeed," answered the wise man, "and there is no way to gather back the words that you cast into the air either."

And so it is. Once we speak, we can never gather the words back into the pillowcase. So it is important to think about what we are going to say before we cast our words into the wind.

Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 21:47:28 -0400
From: Marc Grey Arrowmen@AOL.COM
Subject: scoutmaster's minute
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Dear fellow scouters, As Scoutmaster for Troop 317 in Davie Fla. I am always looking for a good scoutmaster's minute to conclude the meeting with. Here's one I wrote this week that I would like to share with you.

Last Sunday as I was finishing my run through Tree Tops Park with my running buddy, I saw a neighbor standing in her garage doorway about to get her newspaper. Unfortunately the years had not been kind to her. She was walking with a walker and one eye was closed. Over the years I had seen her taking care of her house and she had always appeared quite friendly, but in her present condition she could no longer see me from where I ran along the road. Without thinking, I picked up the Sunday paper and quickly brought it to her. God bless you, she said, as I handed her the paper. I was astonished by the sincerity of those words as I realized that it would have taken her quite some time to walk to the paper and pick it up in her condition. As I caught up with Steve, my running buddy, I commented that I had fulfilled my scouting good turn for the day and it wasn t even 8 a.m. He jokingly replied, Now you can be a jerk the rest of the day. At first I laughed but the more I thought about what had transpired, the more I thought about what the meaning of what scout spirit really is. Scout spirit doesn't mean how many little old ladies you help across the street or pick up the Sunday paper for. It does not mean how many meetings or campouts you attend or how many merit badges you obtain. Scout spirit means that we live by the Scout Oath and Law twenty-four hours a day and uphold the pledge we make as scouts to hold ourselves up to a higher standard, or as the Hebrew National people say, We hold ourselves up to a higher authority. So don t just wait for the obvious situation such as the little old lady and the newspaper to exercise your scout spirit, but create your own situations to live the scouting life and practice scout spirit twenty-four hours a day,seven days a week. By doing so we all answer to a higher authority.

YIS, Marc Grey SM Troop 317

Date: Tue, 9 Jan 1996 23:54:32 -0800
From: Alan Houser troop24@EMF.NET
Subject: Scoutmaster's Minute
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Found this story this evening & thought it might work as a Scoutmaster's minute:

There is an old story of the missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh. He was traveling through the Himalayas with a Monk in the bitter cold. Night was coming and the Monk said, "If we don't reach the monastery by nightfall, we are in danger of freezing to death." Just as they reached a narrow path, they heard the cries of a man who had fallen over the edge. The Monk said, "Do not stop. God has brought him to his fate. He must work it out himself."

Sadhu replied, "God sent me here to help my brother. I cannot abandon him." The Monk went on and Sadhu climbed down a steep path. When he found the man, he saw that his leg was broken and he could not walk. Sadhu made a sling from his blanket and tied the man to his back. He then began a body torturing climb. He made his way through the deepening snow. It was dark and it was all he could do to follow the path. He perservired, and faint with exhaustion, he finally saw the lights of the Monastery. As he moved toward the light, he stumbled for the first time and nearly fell. He did not stumble from exhaustion, but over an object. As he brushed the snow off the object, he looked down and saw that it was the body of the Monk.

Years later when a student asked him, "What is life's most difficult task?" he replied, "To have no burden to carry."

Alan R. Houser
** Scoutmaster, Berkeley Troop 24 ** troop24@emf.net ** WWW page ** http://www.emf.net/~troop24/t24.html **

Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 23:31:12 -0500
From: Steve Poole sdpoole@WINTERNET.COM
Subject: Teamwork
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

I had a most pleasant experience on Monday. I will tell you about it in a moment. But first I must relate a little history. A few weeks ago I held a special transition ceremony for my den. They graduated into first year Webelos. The gist of the ceremony was to show the boys that things that they can't do by themselves can be done as a team. I then went on to remind them that Webelos stands for WE be loyal scouts and that we would be learning to work together and become a team over the next 2 years in Webelos. Now back to Monday. We had 90 mph winds go thru the neighborhood a week prior. It knocked down about 30 trees in the yard of one of the boys in the den. Five of the families from the den got together on Monday to help clean up the yard. At one point the boys were pulling this sled full of cut logs up a steep hill. They were all pulling in front and pushing from behind. One of the parents commented to the boys about the good teamwork they were using. The boys response was "Yes, of course, we are Webelos"

When I heard the story later in the day, my heart soared.

Steve Poole Den 1 Pack 445 Indianhead Council Eagan, Mn. sdpoole@winternet.com

Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 23:55:57 +0000
From: Dori Byron Ed Byron edndori@IAVBBS.COM
Subject: The Blob (long).
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Ok, Ok, I'll send it to all of you. After sending off about 30 copies to those who asked and being chewed out (nicely) for not sharing with the whole group I will risk sending something this long. What was that about Bandwith? Well here goes. Some of you let me know if you think this is any good. I used it with adults in training and they all loved it. Dori Byron Fair Winds Girl Scout Council Trainer and Brownie leader Linden, MI

++++++++++++++=========================+++++++++++++++++

Material needed: 2 Square, 2 triangle, 2 star, 2 circle, 1 blob and 1 in-spite-of sign

Parable of the Shapes

The Script:
NARRATOR: There once was a land of IF and BECAUSE That sat on the earth as every land does. And every person who lived in the land, Would search for a person they could understand. Now let us together observe what takes place When IF and BECAUSE people meet face-to-face.

1st CIRCLE As I walk along this fine sunny day, A stranger I see coming my way. Is this stranger a friend or a foe? Not till I look at the shape will I know. A circle I be and a circle I stay; A circle is needed for friendship today (enter Blob) Hello my friend, Circle s my name And finding a friend is my kind of game. Have you a circle to exchange with me here? Or-are you an alien shape, I fear?

BLOB: A friendly fellow you seem to be And circles I need for good friends, to be. What my own shape is, I really don t know...... But I hope its a circle so friendship will grow. I m so glad I found you, I m so glad to see That such a relationship can possibly be.

1st CIRCLE; Now wait a minute, Oh stranger here. You hasten your happiness too fast, I fear. I told you before- our two shapes must match In order for any new friendship to hatch. If you were a circle with roundest of frame, We d be friends forever because we re the same. But, I see no circle, I see nothing round. I think that it s only a BLOB that I ve found. Now - think of my image, what others might say, I can t take the risk, Away! Away!

BLOB I m so broken hearted, I m in such despair. I am not a circle. It doesn t seem fair. (enter 2nd CIRCLE) 2nd CIRCLE A call for a circle, is that what I hear? I, too, am a circle, such joy and such cheer; For now, dear circle, you long vigil ends, We ve found one another. Forever we re friends! (two circles embrace and walk off) (enter 1st STAR)

1st STAR: I am a star, a beautiful star. Better than all other shapes, by far. And if you are the finest, I think you will see That shape you are holding, a star it will be. If I d find a star, we d frolic in fun, And dance and play and never be done; If you are a star, my friendship you ve won. But, as I look closer, I see you re not one. You re only a BLOB. We ll never go far; Unless you can prove that you re also a star!

BLOB: My shape s not important. Myself is what counts. Just give me some friendship in any amount.

1st STAR: I ve no time for BLOBS, so go on your way, For I think a star is coming this way........ (enter 2nd STAR) 2nd STAR A star I am, and a star I ll stay. Oh, praise be to stars, it s our lucky day!

1st STAR: O star, O star, what double delight! These shapes that we re holding- they match us just right.

2nd STAR: At last, we re together, so happy and proud. Together we ll surely stand out in a crowd. So BLOB, adios! Farewell and good-bye! You just don t fit in, and don t ask us why. (Stars both exit) BLOB: Alas, I am broken. What worse could I do? Than being rejected by each of these two. (enter 1st SQUARE) 1st SQUARE: Through this crowd I now will stare To see if perhaps there be somewhere a square. Pardon me there, but some time could you lend? If you are a square, I ll be your true friend.

BLOB; Oh, surely, dear square, our shape s not the same, But, I m a sweet person, and what s in a name?

1st SQUARE: Your shape s not a square and you talk to me so? I can t believe all the nerve that you show. If it s friendship you want, than friendship go get, But, not from a shape with which you don t fit. (enter 2nd SQUARE) 2nd SQUARE: A call for a square? I ll soon be right there. A square I am and a square I ll be. I ll join you in friendship, of square, just ask me. Because our fine corners do each number four, We ll stay close together forever and more! (both squares exit) BLOB: I m torn and I m frazzled, what worse could there be, Than being rejected by each of these three. (enter TRIANGLE) 1st TRIANGLE: I m wandering to and I m wandering fro, In search of a three-sided shape just like so (points to his?her shape) For if I could find one, I know we would blend, For only a triangle can be a TRUE friend.

BLOB: Hello there, dear sister, I ve heard all you ve said. I can t help but think - to you I ve been led. For you need friendship and I need the same, So on with the friendship and off with the game.

1st TRIANGLE: Now, who is this talking? What shape do you hold? You seem sort of strange, just what is your mold? You are not pretty, you shapeless disgrace. Why Your just a BLOB, it s all over your face. I ve no time for you, you pitiful one. This senseless discussion is over and done! (enter 2nd TRIANGLE) 2nd TRIANGLE: A call for a triangle? Well, I ll fill the need. We re made for each other, it must be agreed. (triangles both exit together) BLOB: No one understands poor shapeless me, Cause I m just a BLOB as you can well see. If I were a circle or maybe a square, Then I could be having some fun over there. Why can t all you shapes just notice and see, that I m just as miserable as I can be. With no one to laugh and be good friends with, I m beginning to feel just a little bit miffed.

NARRATOR: Now just at this moment comes into this place.... a person who s different in style and in grace. So quiet and thoughtful and listens quite well, Observing the stories that our characters tell. Now with me return to our tale if you can... And witness the ways of the IN-SPITE-OF-FRIEND. (enter IN SPITE OF FRIEND) IN SPITE OF; Hello, will you be my friend?

BLOB: Oh, no can t you see... I m not a circle or square, so please leave me be.

IN SPITE OF; Friend, once again to you I will say, Will you not be my friend on this fine day?

BLOB: Your humor s not funny. I m wise to your jokes. You re here to make fun like the rest of these folks.

IN SPITE OF; Now what is the problem, my poor little one? You seem so distressed, so completely undone.

BLOB; I ve run the whole gambit, I ve pleaded and cried To have them accept me and love me inside. But each time I seek them they look at my shape, and quickly reject me, it s like hearing a tape. You re not the right person, you ve got the wrong shape. The people will gossip, the people will gape. If this shall continue from day unto day, Alone I ll; remain and depressed will I stay.

IN SPITE OF; I think a great lesson s been brought to your sight. these shapes find it hard to accept you in spite . They re all possessive and selfish inside, They wallow in vanity, ego, and pride. But these is an answer I ve found to be true, And I ve come to offer this answer to you.

BLOB: I don t understand all you re trying to say, But you re the first person I ve met here today Who seems to accept me in spite of my form You break all the rules of the shape-seekers norm.

IN SPITE OF; Your wisdom is growing, I think you now see Love puts no conditions on you or on me.

NARRATOR; Our moral is simple, I ll share it with you. It s all UP TO YOU. The world offers values which dazzle our eyes, It mixes the truth with ridiculous lies And we here are seeking the true meaning of This life that we re living. this word we call love The IF and BECAUSE folks are caught in a bind, For they only accept their very own kind. They love folks BECAUSE and love people IF , But few have discovered the IN SPITE OF GIFT!

contributed by Dick Davis for Ideas #17 Courtesy of Dori Byron

Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 16:49:25 -0500
From: "Cindy M. Dietz" CDietzKS@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Why Eagle?
To: SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

>Well, I have to give a speach at our Troop's banquet with the
> working title of "Why [aim for] Eagle?". I've been scratching my head
> over an approach: the audience is Tenderfoot and Second Class. I
> don't want to use "because it will look good on a resume <G>" or
> "People will think highly of you". I need something that will inspire
> them to want to aspire to the rank.
> Can anyone suggest some points to make?

Mike, Its not the patch, or title its the skills achieved. 8 years ago I attended cub scout pow wow. I took the religious emblems class. The instructor said that the patch, medal, bead.... is nothing more that a gimick to get the kids to do the work. The eagle patch represents the learning, teaching, leadership, work, and determination that the young man has achieved. Take a look at the requirements for rank. The first three (T, 2, 1) teach basic survival skills, how to cook, how to start a fire, how to work a compass, basic first aid, to work as a group, swimming & hiking safety, ect.... For the most part these are basic survival skills teaching them to learn to take care of themselves and a group. The last three ranks the scout experiences leadership and fine tune the survival skills. They learn to become strong members of a society. They learn about the government (national, state, local), money management, to lead a group (small and large) and to teach skills, family life, emergancy preparedness for themselves and their community, the responsiblity of an individual to self, family, community (service projects), to communicate infront of a group and to an individual, ....... ect. A super service project to put all the above skills that have been learned into action. And most of it will involve having fun.

And if you work hard and complete all the requirements you will be a young man that has made a better place for your family & community. A young man that would have learned the skills necessary to be a strong member of society. You will be prepared for life. And you will get the $2 patch that people will look up to because of the work and dedication involved in EARNING it.

I think you should sell them on the program at this age and the rank will come.

My $.02

Cindy Dietz Mom of an Eagle scout. ASM T144, Rainwalkers Kansas City, KS

Last edited: February 22, 2004

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