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Have you ever watched a potter at work? He starts with a lump of clay. In his head is an idea - a mental image of what he hopes to help the clay become. He sets the clay on the wheel and starts it in motion. Gentle pressure is applied, and the clay is encouraged to change shape. Sometimes a little pressure is needed, sometimes a gentle pull. Slowly, the clay begins to take on a rough form The potter steps back and reflects on the form now and then to asses the progress. Sometimes, the clay is so responsive, it almost shapes itself. Sometimes, the clay is stiff and unresponsive. But he patiently coaxes and shapes. He takes the time necessary to let the clay relax in his gentle hands. Sometimes, when the clay has begun to resemble a vase, it collapses in on itself, through some unknown weakness. The potter, using his best skills, works very hard to restore the clay to a useful form. If a rough spot appears on the surface, he may have to use his special tools to remove the blemish, and smooth it back over, as the wheel continues to turn. If the potter is patient, and if his skills are good enough, he helps the clay to become the beautiful vase he had seen in his mind's eye all along. And so it is with scouting. All of us, parents and scout leaders are as the potter, shaping and molding the clay of boys into the vases of young men. Just as the potter looks upon his finished art which was once only a lump of clay and feels a sense of pride, we as scout leaders look upon the young men who were once boys, and we are proud to have been a part of this most important art. And just as the potter occasionally produces a masterpiece, our greatest reward comes when the young man who was once an eleven year old boy with a brand new Scout Manual becomes an Eagle. We know then that we have helped him to a place where he is ready to accomplish anything he wants. For he has become the potter, and the world is his lump of clay.
1/16/96 |
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This was originally written for a Court of Honor where the troop awards merit badges and new ranks. I gave framed, personalized copies to two scoutmasters whose efforts made a difference for my son, who earned his Eagle award in November, 1996. Since that time, the BSA national leadership has been taken over by religious fundamentalists, culminating in the Supreme Court decision that allows them to exclude gays and atheists from their membership. I am deeply troubled that bigots have subverted the high principles that have historically formed the core of the scouting program. |
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Last Update 12/10/00 |