soon through with it. In most cases it ends at or before adolescence.
This dream period seems to correspond with a stage of our racial development, an age of mysticism and of simple, actual contact with elementals. I am unable to place it definitely or historically, but I know that it must be dealt with gently and reverently, not “flogged out of them”, as was urged by certain teachers of my own young days. Woodcraft’s symbolism and activities seek in countless ways to turn this transient mysticism of the growing youth to good account.
One no longer questions the sanity of the play instinct, as was done in my youth, but there are others equally strong which are still taboo. For example, the instinct to initiate a newcomer. It is not simply a human habit; it is world-wide wherever there is a social group of animals. A new hen in the barnyard, a new horse in the pasture, or a new hound in the pack is initiated by the others; that is, is bullied, hustled about, and often maltreated until its merits and powers are measured, and the rest know just which it can lick and which be licked by. That is, its social status is fixed. The impulse is universal. There is a real instinct to initiate.
When first I had to face it, and could not suppress it, I said:
“Very good; if it must be, it shall be, but I will take charge of it. I will make it official and public; proper authorities shall prescribe and apply the initiation tests. Now we have a dozen initiations all aimed at giving the candidate and his companions a gage on him, a measure of his fortitude.”
Let me illustrate with a story. In my camp were two or three groups, some Boy Scouts, some Woodcrafters. A youngster of twelve who wore the proud nickname of Hawkeye came to us, and at once applied for full membership in the Woodcraft tribe. I said:
“If you enter the Woodcraft, you will have to face an initiation; if you enter the Boy Scouts, you will not. Now, which is it?”
“I want to be initiated”, he replied promptly. They always do; it gives a chance to prove their fortitude.
“All right. Now, Hawkeye, what is your besetting sin?”
“I dunno; I guess I got a bunch of them”, he answered.
“Yes, most of us have. But what do the fellows in camp say?”
Hawkeye looked at the sky and the grass, then said:
“The fellows all say I talk too much.”
“Oh, ho! Now I am getting the facts. Your initiation must hit you where you are weakest. What are you doing to-morrow?”
“It is my day to wash the dishes and help the cook”, he replied.
“A very good day to initiate you”, was my answer. “Now this is what you are to do: continue your life and work in camp as planned, and for six hours do not open your mouth to speak a word. Sign or write if you like, but not one word of speech. Now, are you man enough to face it?”
“Yes, sir”
“Remember now, it is not too late to go back. You can enter the Boy Scouts without initiation.” ..text pokračuje
