A Scoutmaster's Minute

An anecdote from Tom Dugger, former Scout Executive of the Last Frontier Council in Oklahoma, Boy Scouts of America:

“My father used to tell the story of the ‘Poor Mule.’ It seems that the poor mule fell into the well one day and lay in a hopeless situation at the bottom of a 20-foot-deep dry well. The mule was still alive, but how would he be rescued? All agreed that the mule was indeed poor and that as the well was dry, what would be the value of the rescue? As the well needed filling, it was determined that the mule should just be buried in the well.

The first load of dirt was dumped into the well on top of the mule. This made the mule mad; he brayed loudly and shook off the dirt as he stood up…Everyone thought that sooner or later the poor mule would lie down and die. Everyone, that is, but the poor mule. Each time they dumped in dirt the poor mule got madder, shook off the dirt and stepped up on top of it, until, to everyone’s amazement, the poor mule walked right out of the well. Dad would always tell this story whenever I thought a task was insurmountable or when I did not have enough confidence in myself to complete a task…

…keep shaking off the dirt, and stepping up and out of the hole.”

This is why the Boy Scouts of America is the greatest youth program in the history of the universe. They give boys (and everybody else) Things to think about. This program emphasizes that confidence and self-esteem are built through endeavoring, not by being “rescued” all the time. When the program is delivered correctly by impartial leaders, the scout is not pampered, but allowed to struggle, figure out things on his own, and embrace his own successes and failures in a safe environment.

Now, I don't wanna point fingers and say names, but do we always have to rush in and save everyone? What effect do we have on the confidence and self esteem of others when we do that? Do we create a society of people who lack the belief in themselves to take care of their business?