CARING FOR TOOLS

(adapted from "Woods Wisdom - Scoutmaster's Minutes")

(Lead the Scout Law.) Tools like these are essential in making repairs around the house. You couldn't do the job without them.

But they must be in good condition. If your hammer's head is loose, the hammer becomes a dangerous weapon. If your saw blade is dull, it makes the work harder and you also run the risk of cutting yourself if the blade jumps out of the groove. And if your screwdriver's blade is all beat up, you will ruin a lot of screws.

Your character is like a set of tools. Think of your character as a set of qualities or attributes we talk about in the Scout Law - trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. If you are not trustworthy, that part of your character is like a hammer with a loose head. You could be dangerous to others because no one could depend on you to do what had to be done in an emergency. If you're not loyal, you're like a dull saw blade - not reliable when the chips are down.

A good craftsmen keeps his tools in excellent shape because they are his livelihood. A good Scout keeps his character in excellent shape because he knows that the attributes that make up his character are his most precious possession. Let's remind ourselves of that by joining now in the Scout Law. (Lead the Scout Law.)

Last Revised 11/19/02

John D. McCarthy