1. Lions:

Four lions surround the man.  He holds out a meaty bone.  One of the lions, larger than the rest, grabs the meat.  As the other lions approach, he snarls and consumes the meat as quickly as he can rip it off the bone, growling all the while.  So intent is he on consuming every bit, he nearly chokes.

The other lions go hungry.  The first lion sleeps.  He is satisfied.  He was his meat.  He grabbed it first, and defended his grab when others had attempted to take any part of it from him.  Let them get their own meat.  It is nothing to him.  He is King of the Jungle.

Survival of the fittest is the law of the jungle: I’ll grab mine and good luck to you. If you are not as fortunate as me, born as I am in a realm where I feel entitled to have food, shelter and fur to clothe my nakedness, then that’s on you and nothing to me.  It is, after all, my dominion.  I grabbed it first.  What makes you think you should have any part of it?

That is the law of the jungle.  What makes you think you can make new laws that override my law?  You think the giver of meat should have cut it in four pieces and given some to each lion?   What are you, some kind of kook - A dissident maybe?  You think because your jungle is dried up, you should venture into my jungle, looking for my leftovers.  Give me a break.  Get out of my jungle, now, while the getting’s good, before you become my next meal!

Humans, of course, are much more sensible, compassionate and humane than lions.  Right?

2.  Lambs:

At Better Beginnings this month, the children are learning about “Respect”.  One element of respect they consider is “treating others the way we want to be treated”.  Lions, on the other hand, think respect means snarling, growling and, if necessary, overcoming others through violence.    The young students, our lambs, are learning that human respect consists of being kind, courteous, and polite.  It means listening to what others have to say and caring how they feel; not insulting others, making fun of them or calling them names; not bullying or picking on others; not judging people before you get to know them.

I love this community, and the people in it.  Yet, it has been the stage for some almighty big skirmishes in the human rights battlefield.  The results I have witnessed have been peace, compassion, mutual respect, and - Better Beginnings.  Yes, Better Beginnings was the response to a human relations need; children who did not have the benefit of a preschool experience were not doing as well in school as their more affluent neighbors.  The answer was:  Better Beginnings.  A greater need than a nursery school soon emerged.  Working parents needed affordable, quality care for their children while they worked.

Mercy, kindness, compassion, caring for others, especially those less fortunate, those are our cornerstones.  If we can achieve that in one small corner of one small town, maybe one day the lions and lambs really will lie down together.

We are celebrating our 37th Anniversary with our 12th Annual Mayors’ Shining Star Gala on April 9.  Please join us.   More details at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc or 609-448-6226.

3.  Paper Flowers (continued):

Lay the circles cut from paper on top of   (cont.)

each other.   Make two little holes in the middle.  Thread the pipe cleaner through the holes until you have two even lengths.  Twist them together to form stem.  Gather the “petals” toward the center.  Voila!  A beautiful flower!

For more activities like this one, visit Week-end FunWork, in English and Spanish, at Better Beginnings' Website.

4.  Dancing (in the Rain?):

A couple of years ago, we had a drought.  We desperately needed rain.   We taught the children how to make rain sticks and how to perform the rain dance.  It began to rain, and rain, and rain for about two months solid.  People were asking us to invent an “un-rain” dance.

This year we plan to do a Flower Dance instead.  Hence those paper flowers.   See, flowers are pretty and they need rain and sun.

5.  Showers of Blessings:

Greater Hightstown Juniorettes, the youth branch of Junior Friday, provided mucho treats for Better Beginnings’ children.  Kristin and Kathryn Schwacha added to the bounty with a bag of beautiful toys, and Stacey Fort with even more Easter eggs and baskets.  Some bunnies!

6.  Support for the Gala:

For the upcoming auction at the gala, Carol Jones donated many items including a gift certificate for Underwater Connection; Lisa Scedola donated 2 hand crocheted children’s blankets, Nilda Garcia donated a “Chinese Empress” Barbie Doll.

Sponsors include First Washington State Bank, Jacqueline Bodin, Presbyterian Home at Meadow Lakes, Mathematica Policy Research, Conair Corporation, Shiseido, Customized Benefit Solutions, Inc., and First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.

Thank you, everyone for your supportive ways.

7.  Penny Pincher ...

is delighted with this idea, it’s a double:  Save those plastic bags from the market; they are useful for many purposes.  Where to save them?  In that pretty but empty tissue box!   Thanks to Jaymie of “Pet Sitting Fully Insured” for this tip.

8.  Lions’ Share:  Sequel:

The three hungry lions are young.  As they grow stronger, the greedy lion’s bones and muscles deteriorate.  Write your own ending.   In the jungle, there is another law:  “What goes around, comes around.” 

I still get a chuckle from this oldie but goodie from Liston Abbott:  “How do you get down from an elephant?  You don't get down from an elephant.  You get down from a goose.”