I just have to share this story. As many know, I am the program director for Valley Grange of Guilford. One of the projects I get to enjoy is
Words for Thirds–the Dictionary Project. The project involves visiting third-grade classrooms in the area to present students with their very own dictionaries. I’m not always sure who has the most fun–me or the kids!

To appreciate a recent event at SeDoMoCha, it will help to explain that I demonstrate how a shepherd’s hook is used. We then talk about how anyone can become a leader. To achieve the demonstration, I select a student to assist by pretending to be my sheep. Once they’re upfront, I ask them to please try to look fuzzy. This usually results in blank looks from my volunteers, but not so with my sheep at SeDoMoCha.

I suppose this is a “you had to be there” story, but my young volunteer wordlessly reached up and undid her ponytails, then flipped her head from side to side, “fluffing” up her hair with her hands so it covered her neck and shoulders. After serving as my sheep, she put herself “back together,” also without comment. She may have a future as an actress or a hairdresser. She certainly has an ability to “think on her feet!”

The experience reminded me of another one a few years ago–I think it was in Brownville. My selected volunteer had a propensity for accuracy. I brought him upfront and said something like, “So if Johnny here is a sheep…”

He interrupted and said, “I’d actually be a ram.”

Since yesterday’s sheep didn’t say anything, I won’t observe that “Kids say the darnedest things.” But we might all be reminded that it is too easy to underestimate kids. Hang around with them and let yourself be impressed.