Another Scoutmasters Minute

Scoutmasters Minute - Astronauts

Our program element for this month is leadership. This is a "true" story
I related to our Scouts.

It seems that before the first man walked on the moon, NASA found an area
of New Mexico where the topography was similar to the surface of the
moon. They decided that it would be a good idea to take the astronauts
and the lunar lander there to check out the equipment. They arrived at
the area and unloaded all their gear. During the second day while
working with the equipment they noticed a flock of sheep on the horizon.
As it drew closer they could see several dogs herding the flock and two
Navaho Indians walking behind. The Scientists knew that they were Navaho
because the reservation was near by. The Two Navaho Indians set down on
the ridge and watched them work for several hours. Seeing the Navahos
watching them, two of the scientist decided to go talk to them. After
walking up the ridge they soon discovered that the old Navaho could only
speak in his native tongue but his son could speak English. The old man
said several things and his son translated, "he says, what are those
things down there?" The scientist explained that they were men in space
suits and that they would be traveling to the moon by rocket and once
there they would get out and be the first men to walk upon the moon. The
old man nodded and said a few more words that the son translated "so,
they will walk upon the moon?" And the scientist confirmed. The old
man nodded and said a few more words. The son said, "he wants to know if
he can send a message to the moon with these astronauts." At this the
scientist became very excited and searched their gear until they found a
tape recorder. The old Navaho recorded his message. The scientist asked
the boy to translate but he wouldn't. They worked about a month next to
the reservation but every time they asked someone to translate the
message they would listen to it, smile and shake their head no. Finally
they found a Professor of Native American studies that agreed to
translate the message in exchange for some funding on a research
project. He listened to the tape and smiled. He said, "this message is
a warning, it says, Look out for these guys, they are coming to steal
your land."
You may wonder why I told this story as my Scoutmasters Minute. Our
program element this month is Leadership and the reason the old Navaho
sent this message was because he did not trust the white man. Trust is a
very important part of Leadership, If you cannot trust your leader or he
cannot trust you, your patrol will not be very effective. Trust is also
very fragile, it takes only one action on your part to destroy the trust
others have in you. Often times when trust is breached it can never be
rebuilt. A Scout is Trustworthy. And now may the Master of all Scouts
be with us till we meet again. Goodnight Scouts!

Greg Gough
SM Troop 201, Ozark, MO. I used to be an Owl but I will always be an Eagle!

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