So also in riding in a crowded bus or railway carriage, no man worthy of the name will allow a woman to stand up if he has a seat. He will at once give it up to the woman and stand himself. As a Scout, you should set an example in this by being the first man in the carriage to do it. And in doing so do it cheerfully, with a smile, so that she may not think you are annoyed at having to do it.
When in the street, always be on the look-out to help women and children. A good opportunity is when they want to cross a street, or to find the way, or to call a cab or bus. If you see them, go and help them at once—and don’t accept any reward.
The other day I saw a boy help a lady out of a carriage, and as he shut the door after her she turned to give him some money, but he touched his cap and smilingly said, “No,
thank you, ma'am; it s my duty”, and walked off. So I shook hands with him, for I felt that although he had not been taught, he was a Scout by nature.
This is the kind of courtesy one wants to see more amongst boys.
Of course, in accidents men and boys will always see that the women and children are safely out of danger before they think of going themselves. In shipwrecks, it is very noticeable how carefully arrangements are made for saving the women and children and old people before men are rescued.
You should carry on your courtesy to ladies at all times. If you are sitting down and a lady comes into the room, stand up, and see if you can help her in any way before you sit
down.
Don’t spend time on a girl whom you would not like your mother or sister to see you with. Don’t make love to any girl unless you mean to marry her. Don’t marry a girl unless you are in a position to support her and to support some children.
Thanks!
And, look here! Here is a very important bit of courtesy that is too often forgotten, but which a true Scout will never omit, and that is to thank for any kindness you receive. A present is not yours till you have thanked for it. You have not finished your camp, even if you have packed up your kit and cleaned up the ground, until you have thanked the owner for use of it and have thanked God for giving you a good time.
PATROL PRACTICES IN CHIVALRY
The Patrol Leader can do much to encourage the Good Turn by referring to it at opportune moments (don’t overdo it!), and by occasionally asking the Scouts what Good Turns they have done lately. When out with his Patrol, he can suggest opportunities for individuals and Patrol Good Turns. But remember: IT IS THE PATROL LEADER’S OWN EXAMPLE THAT COUNTS MOST.
Make each Scout tie a knot in his neckerchief every morning as a reminder to carry out his idea of doing a good turn every day, till it becomes a habit with him.
Talk over some of the many good turns a boy can do in his daily life:
Sprinkle sand on a frozen road where someone is liable to slip— remove orange or banana skins from the pavement, as they are apt to throw people down—help old people—help to keep the streets clean by removing scraps of paper—provide meals for poor children. THEN DO SOME OF THEM!
Have a Scout bring in a boy who is a total stranger, as his guest for the evening to play in games, hear camp stories, and so on.
CAMP FIRE YARN NO. 21
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Honour - Obedience - Courage – Cheeriness
HINTS TO INSTRUCTORS
SELF-DISCIPLINE
The most important thing that the Scoutmaster has to teach his boys is to understand and to possess the sense of Honour.
This is not always an easy thing to do, but it is the keystone of character building.
The mention of it has been designedly omitted from the Wolf Cub training, because it is as a ride beyond the grasp of very young boys; but at the Scout age it can he introduced and with strong and lasting effect.
The self-disciplined man is described by Browning as:
“One who never turned his back, but marched breast forward;
Never doubted clouds would break;
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph;
Held, we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better,
Sleep—to wake.”
Lycurgus said that the wealth of a state lay not so much in money as in men who were sound in body and mind, with a body fit for toil and endurance, and with a mind well disciplined, and seeing things in their proper proportions.
The true knight placed his honour before all things. It was sacred. A man who is honourable is always to be trusted. He will never do a dishonourable action, such as telling an untruth or deceiving his superiors or employers, or those under his orders, and always commands the respect of his fellow-men.
A captain sticks to the ship till the last. Why? She is only a lump of iron and wood and his life is as valuable as that of any of the women and children on board. But he makes everybody get away safely before he attempts to save his more valuable life. Why?
Because the ship is his ship, and he has been taught that it is his duty to stick to it, and he considers it would be dishonourable in him to do otherwise—so he puts honour before safety.
So also a Scout should value his honour most of anything.
Lord Kitchener said to the Boy Scouts: “There is one thought I would like to impress upon you all — ONCE A SCOUT, ALWAYS A SCOUT”. By this he meant that when you are grown up you must still carry out what you learned as a Scout—and especially that you will go on being honourable and trustworthy.
Fair Play
Play fair yourself and insist on fair play in others.
If you see a big bully going for a small or weak boy, you stop him because it is not “fair play”. If a prize fighter, in fighting another, knocks him down, he must not hit him while he is down.
The point is that “fair play” is an old idea of chivalry that has come down to us from the knights of old, and we must always keep up that idea.
Honesty
Honesty is a form of honour. An honourable man can be trusted with any amount of money or other valuables with the certainty that he will not steal it.
Cheating at any time is a sneaking, underhand thing to do.
When you feel inclined to cheat in order to win a game, or feel very distressed when a game in which you are playing is going against you, just say to yourself, “After all, it is only a game. It won’t kill me if I do lose. One can’t win always, though I will stick to it
in case of a chance coming”.
If you keep your head in this way, you will very often find that you win after all from not being over-anxious or despairing. And don’t forget, whenever you do lose a game, if you are a true Scout, you will at once cheer the winning team or shake hands with and congratulate the fellow who has beaten you.