Questioning Authority

I took Calfgrit7 to the state capital building yesterday with his Cub Scout den. Something I’m always proud with Calfgrit7 about is that on these kinds of tours (at the capital building, at the carnivore preserve, etc.) he is polite, pays attention, and asks legitimate and thoughtful questions.

Some boys just don’t pay attention, and show no desire to learn anything. Calfgrit7 likes learning. Sometimes he says he doesn’t, and sometimes he says he doesn’t want to go on the trip/tour, but when he’s actually at the event or on the tour, he listens, learns, and asks questions.

I’ve told Calfgrit7 (yesterday and before) how proud and happy I am that he behaves, listens, and asks good questions. I dearly hope his love of learning continues throughout his life.

At the end of our tour of the capital building, all the boys had questions. They raised their hands and the tour guide called on them each in turn. One boy wanted so bad to ask a question, but he couldn’t think of one. He raised his hand, and when he was called on:

“Why. . . uh . . . why . . . um . . . why . . . oh . . . why . . .” on and on.

The tour guide interrupted him, “How about I let you get your thoughts together for a moment while someone else asks a question.” She called on another Cub Scout.

“Oh oh oh, I know now! I know what I want to ask!” the boy shouted before the other boy could ask anything. So the tour guide went back to the first boy.

“Why . . . um . . . why . . . uh . . . why . . . oh . . . why . . .”

We dads and moms standing with the group started looking back and forth at each other, trying not to laugh. The boy’s mother was outside the building with her younger child (who wasn’t old enough to have patience for such a tour). Finally, after probably 50 “why’s” (no exaggeration, here), the den leader dad stepped in and said, politely and nicely, “That’s enough questions for now.”

The kid never did get a question out, but the tour guide was able to move on — I’m sure much to her relief.

Bullgrit