Pokračování textu ze strany 35
and the whole long list of names in the Hall of Fame, all bear testimony to the truth of this: whether in wood or on farm, all their essential training was in mastering the daily obstacles of life; obstacles which called for handicraft and nature knowledge, strength and dogged determination, qualities which ever doubled as they were used.
It was so in the earliest days of man, in the Colonial days of America, and to-day, and always will be. For as surely as Woodcraft was nature’s school for man when she constructed him out of brute material, so surely is it nature's school for boys to-day. The things that it engenders and nourishes to power are the things that spell success in life, no matter where the boy’s life may be cast.
The Woodcraft Boy to-day does not have to study the trail to see what beasts have gone to drink, or put his ear to the ground to know if the buffalo herd is coming; but he knows that in the city the telephone book is the key to the business world. He does not have to smell the wind to learn where the jungle is burning, but he knows where the fire department box is and how to turn in an alarm. He does not have to look up and down the stream for crocodiles before swimming over, but he watches both ways before crossing the street. He need not study the scratches on the trunk for guides to camp, but he notes the name of the street when turning the corner, and in the midst of noise and excitement he keeps his head and knows his way as his forebears kept their wits in the midst of a herd stampeded; otherwise, they, themselves, would have had no descendants. He clings to the blessed heritages from those other days, so he is healthy, and he knows how to live so as to have the overflowing sense of power. It is in his nature to learn again the trees and plants and to understand the message of any whistle in the woods or fields. And because he loves them, he protects the beautiful things of his country. He sees the wonders of the skies and is touched by the mystery of the stars. He knows where to camp; how to sleep; how to cook; how to live comfortably in primitive conditions. And, trained in the far back game of clan, he is thoughtful at home and helpful alike to younger children and older folk. The calm fortitude, built up of manifold training, teaches him to meet friend or foe, pleasure or danger, simply, and bravely. Whatever his situation may be he does his best, conscious of the Great Spirit’s presence, and honors Him in his life.
These are the things that Woodcraft built into us in the beginning; these in their total are High Manhood; and these are ..text pokračuje
