Duck Ponderings: Finding a way through problems, with the Sword of Honesty

It was one of those lessons which can't be pulled from a teacher's edition. There are all kinds of challenges young people must meet, and this particular fifth grade class seemed to have more than their typical share. I felt a great need to develop a unique lesson to somehow help all of us.

I went to the corner of the room and picked up the Sword of Honesty which a former student had made as a reminder to another fifth grade class about the importance of being honest.

This student was featured on the front page of The Republic, and I am pleased that Steve Bragg still strives to be honest. The writer of the article, Kirk Johannesen, did an excellent job of sharing how Steve came to the realization that his life could be a lot better if he developed an action plan to lose some weight. Through counting calories and exercising as well as lots of determination, Steve managed to lose 219 pounds!

Well, there was that same kind of realization that day as I was holding the Sword of Honesty and suggesting we could either use it to find a way through our problems (sword) or use it as an excuse for never finding a way (crutch). Afterward, I asked students to react to the lesson by writing, drawing, or making something.

It is difficult to describe what students placed on my desk during the next few days, a collection of materials that I immediately knew must be kept forever. Following, you will find just a few examples of their wisdom:

• Keeper of What? You Decide-Sword or Crutch!
• Live From Your Brain-The Cerebral Cortex!
• Be A Winner!
• If you do not handle your problems, then your life will be pathetic. I will solve my problems while using my helmet (head) and shield (heart) and my suit to reinforce my protection.
• Sometimes I complain about taking out the trash or cleaning the room when those around me never complain even when facing the battles of cancer. They are the true keepers of the sword!
• If you think drugs are the only way to help you through your problems, then you are wrong. You need to find a better way and be keeper of the sword!
• My mom has a terrible disease. She wants to be around for us as long as possible. My mom fights every day for her life and for us. She is our example for fighting through problems!
• When my parents split, I admittedly used the sword as a crutch. I now know to rely on the power of the sword and make the most of my life.
• We must find a way to fight through our obstacles, or we will be miserable.
• Who is the keeper of your brain? You are!
• I don't like the commercials that lie because kids die. Don't pay attention to them!
• I'm not going to destroy my nerve cells with drugs!
• These people help with my sword-teachers, God, and my parents.
• The sword of life helps you move forward even when someone close dies.