Step Right Up!!

It is Sunday morning, and we are looking forward to our visit with 'Holy Communion Helen'. For Mom, it is her connection to The Church. I have the added bonus of having taught with Helen, and we often laugh about days and students from those years in retrospect. When she left last week, I had chosen a page from an old daily calendar [recycling those great Mary Engelbreit pictures and quotes] of an Indian with a horse. I placed it in an envelope along with money for gasoline, writing...
"We hope the horse hasn't got gas, but we definitely want you to have some."

And then I added, "You...Cherokee!"

I knew this would prompt an immediate smile and chuckle. Here's the history:

Back in those fourth grade days, there was a yearly theater presentation where 'Playhouse' actors brought arts/culture to the school and the kids would get to interact in the show. Because 4th grade Social Studies included Native American Indian history, that was our actors' theme and the intended children's frame of mind.

So, picture this, if you can.

There are four actors dressed in Indian costumes complete with feathered headdress and face paint. Two women squaws behaving totally in character, and two very tall, serious looking Indian Chiefs. The kids [from both of our classrooms] were organized in a single file line, and off to the cafeteria we went for the actor's presentation. The Indians silently awaited their tribes' arrival at the entrance to the cafeteria, and it was understood there was to be no talking. As each kid approached, one of the chiefs would put both hands on the student's shoulders, look into their eyes, and say,

"YOU...Cherokee!!!" and point to the left side of the set, OR

"YOU...Navajo!!! and point to the right side of the area.

Helen and I were standing right there so the children would see us and not be nervous, and also simultaneously in a 'Mama Bear' readiness to fend off anything 'scary' [which it wasn't.]

Generally speaking, the kids understood and most of them advanced to receive their assigned role with reverence and respect.

And then there was Pam. On a daily basis, you would be delighted to have a roomful of students with her personality and knowledge of where the limits were set. Happy and spirited, Pam merely didn't get the serious nature as fast as everyone else. We saw it coming when she was smilling while waiting about three kids back as the Indian Chiefs designated their tribal assignments.

As she stepped in front of the Native American actor, he placed his hands on her shoulders and said,

"You...Cherokee!!!"

This Chief wasn't kidding and remained totally in character as he reigned her parameters in to what was expected.

Pam's expression was priceless as the blood drained from her face at lightning speed and she became a Cherokee squaw. Helen and I looked at each other and I can honestly say that it was very difficult not to let loose the laughter that our eyes shared and our hearts felt because we knew Pam . She was the most surprised of all!!! Too funny!

It remains among those 'kid memories' that bring a smile and instant mental flashback to that Kodak moment.

And there you have it...Kimosabe!

Tales told out of school!