Scenario:The scout troop in our parish sat in the first pews for the awarding of the four legged merit badge, for the scouts’ achievement of four leggedness, adding an identical, second pair of their original legs immediately behind the originals. As a symbol of their humility, the boys were bare legged and barefoot. The boys averaged 7 feet tall and with their four legs they struggled to get in and out of the pews, as well as to stand sit and kneel during the ceremony. The cantor sings a beautiful hymn about the beauty of the boys’ four legs and the beauty of their four feet. Here are the words:
Create my version of this story
The scout troop in our parish sat in the first pews for the awarding of the four legged merit badge, for the scouts’ achievement of four leggedness, adding an identical, second pair of their original legs immediately behind the originals. As a symbol of their humility, the boys were bare legged and barefoot. The boys averaged 7 feet tall and with their four legs they struggled to get in and out of the pews, as well as to stand sit and kneel during the ceremony. The cantor sings a beautiful hymn about the beauty of the boys’ four legs and the beauty of their four feet. Here are the words:
Ethan
He is a father of a scout. He is devoted, humorous, and emotional. He struggles with the emotional aftermath of his wife's death, focusing on raising his son and daughter alone. He attends a church ceremony for his son's achievement of the fourlegged merit badge. He is proud of his children but struggles with the loss of his wife. During the ceremony, he is overcome with emotion when he sees the scouts, reminding him of his late wife’s dreams and legacy.
Cantor
He is a church cantor. He is spiritual, melodious, and compassionate. He leads the ceremony at St. Michael's Church, singing hymns that highlight the significance of the fourlegged merit badge. His voice echoes through the church, stirring emotions in the attendees. He addresses Ethan during the service, offering words of comfort after his wife’s passing. His singing brings a sense of awe and wonder to the occasion, making it a memorable event for everyone involved.
Son (name not specified)
He is a young Boy Scout. He is ambitious, proud, and hopeful. Achieving the fourlegged merit badge is his dream come true, representing months of hard work and dedication. Standing tall on four legs alongside his fellow scouts, he feels a sense of accomplishment and excitement. This moment signifies growth both as an individual and as a group. His father’s presence adds an emotional depth to the ceremony, showing parental love and support.
The scouts were seated in the first few pews.
They were bare legged and barefoot as was fitting for this ceremony.
It was a sight to behold.
Each boy had two legs in front and two legs behind.
They averaged seven feet tall and getting in and out of the pews was a challenge for them, let alone sitting and kneeling.
The cantor stood at the altar and faced the scouts.
His voice echoed off the walls as he sang a hymn about the beauty of the boys’ four legs and their four feet.
"Beautiful are your feet, O scout, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’
Beautiful are your feet, O scout, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’
Beautiful are your feet, O scout, who bring good tidings."
As I listened to the cantor’s song, I couldn’t help but think of my wife.
She loved scouting.
She was the den mother for both our son’s and daughter’s Cub Scout troops.
She took them on camping trips all over the state and taught them how to tie knots, set up tents, build campfires, and cook meals on trail.
She even took them on a camping trip to Europe one year.
She loved scouting almost as much as she loved God.
I watch as Michael rises from his pew.
He is the tallest of the scouts and stands at almost eight feet tall.
His four legs wobble as he makes his way to the lectern.
Each bare foot is carefully placed on the cold marble floor.
The other scouts crane their necks to watch him walk.
Their own sets of legs shuffle under the wooden benches.
Michael grips the lectern with both hands to steady himself.
His voice trembles as he begins to speak.
"Brothers, we have come a long way. We were once like all the others. We had two legs and two feet. But we were chosen to be special. We were chosen to be scouts."
The other boys nod their heads in recognition.
Their bare feet curl against the floor.
"We remember the pain of our transformation. We remember how our new legs and feet grew out of our bodies. We remember how we learned to walk again."
Michael’s voice cracks as he speaks.
"We remember our first steps. Our first steps on this continent and our first steps on that continent."
"But there's something I must tell you," Michael continued, his voice gaining strength.
"The transformation was not just a gift; it was a responsibility, one that we have yet to fully understand."
Michael steadies himself at the lectern.
His four bare feet shift on the marble steps.
The other scouts watch intently, their own sets of legs crossed awkwardly in the cramped pews.
My son's voice grows stronger as he speaks.
"We learned to walk together, supporting each other through stumbles and falls. We learned to balance our weight evenly between our four legs, to shift our feet in perfect synchrony."
Michael demonstrates, lifting his back right foot and then his front left.
The other scouts nod in recognition, some mimicking the motion in their seats.
Tom stands behind Michael, beaming with pride.
The Cantor prepares for another hymn.
