Editorial September 20, 1947 Issue

A LESSON IN THE SNOW

Paul Stark Seeley

A generation ago a boy of ten was at his grandfather's farm in New Hampshire in late November. Snow covered the countryside. In the woodshed the boy had a piece of hickory in a vise and was starting to make a bow. An unfinished sled frame, and a half-whittled hull of a toy sailboat lay close by. Grandfather came in and saw the work that had been started but left uncompleted. When questioned about it the boy said, "Oh, yes, I'll finish those things later."

After the noon meal, as they were walking over the farm, Grandfather challenged the boy to a game. "Let us see which of us can walk the straightest line to that big pine across the meadow." Eagerly the boy started when his elder said, "Go." They were fifty feet apart but making for the same big pine. The youngster put one foot carefully in front of the other as he a little hurriedly made for the goal. Grandfather did not hurry, but to the boy's surprise reached the tree before he did.

Then, looking back, the boy exclaimed with surprise, "How did you walk so straight, Grandpa?"

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