When people ask me why Im in scouting, and why I'm so into the belief of scouting, I like to tell this one story that was once told to me a long time ago.
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An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger
at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you
a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken
so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like
taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled
with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is
as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm.
He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense
when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right
to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing
will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time,
for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so
great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me,
for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked,
"Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
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Scouting is akin to that story. There's a lot of confusion in what we teach our children these days, between video games, television, and movies. Our children can get very confused as to what 'food' to feed that wolf. Without realizing it, they might be feeding the wrong wolf, and we as parents can only see that too late. Scouting puts the right food into their minds, and lets the good wolf grow and flourish.
What are you feeding your Cubs?
Rob (Ranger Rob) Watson
Cubmaster ~ Pack 549