ISLAND 5 Genbo FAMILY NAVIGATIONAL GUIDEBOOK 1 Genbo (JEN-boh) Gentle Boldness ENLIGH SUGGESTIONS: Genbo (The Skunk) Be Gentle – Yet Bold! Gentleness underpinned by boldness is the hallmark of wisdom and effective leadership. • What does the above statement above mean to you? • Listen to Genbo the Skunk . Write your thoughts and impressions. • Read through the skunk facts . How can you liken the skunk to being gentle, yet bold? • Search your core books for individuals who boldly stayed true to what is right, and were firm in their mind; but remained gentle and kind. How can you use Genbo in your role as a parent? What is the difference between being bold and being gently bold? HOW TO USE GENBO RESULTS FROM APPLYING GENBO • Think big, be bold and persistent, no • Develops Strength of Character and matter what. Assertiveness • Hold firm to your dreams and • Increases SAPA (Self Awareness and Positive Attitude) aspirations. • Creates abundance through achievement • Remember that the greater the trial or • Inspires courage, confidence, and hope tribulation, the greater the blessing. • Don’t give permission for anyone or anything to cause you to let go of what is right for you. • In times of challenge, think, “It’s but a small moment.” Island of Self-Discipline 2 Genbo READ THE TALE OF HOPE: Read together the Genbo section in The Tale of Hope: Island of Self-Discipline. LISTEN TO THE SONG: Listen to Genbo the Skunk. EXPLORE THE SKUNK: 1. Skunks are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and search for food at night. 2. You cannot mistake the distinct smell of a skunk’s spray. A skunk’s spray does not cause any permanent damage; but it sure makes its victims feel uncomfortable. 3. A skunk’s spray can reach as far as ten feet. This unique, defensive mechanism is very effective; and predators generally stay far away. 4. A skunk will usually warn its victim before it sprays, by turning its back, lifting its tail, and stamping its feet. 5. What else can you learn about skunks? PONDER : 1. How can you liken the skunk to being gentle but bold? 2. A skunk’s spray does not cause permanent damage; but it makes its victims feel uncomfortable. Do you think being bold makes others feel uncomfortable? Is that good or bad? How can you be bold without causing permanent damage? 3. Victims are warned before the skunk sprays its noxious chemical. What body language and tones of voice will help you be bold, but also be gentle in what you say? 4. Have you ever smelled a skunk? How did it make you feel? What experiences have you had or read about when someone boldly stood for right? Teaching Tip “The power of a story is a flow of emotion. If you tell them you will be asking questions, or if you ask questions, you disrupt that flow and switch it to the mind and away from the heart. Feelings cannot always find words. You just have to trust that the story is doing exactly what it needs to do. A child may ask a question, or a child may share an experience--this is wonderful because it is bubbling out of his own heart. Compulsion comes in many forms and the least degree, even when well intentioned, can short circuit the process. The more these lessons are woven seamlessly into life, the more effective.” ~ Marlene Peterson Island of Self-Discipline 3 Genbo Genbo Stories The North Wind and the Sun Adapted from Aesop Retold by Robin Jensen The Sun and the North Wind were having a conversation one day on what constituted power. The Sun said that you must be kind to encourage people to do your bidding. The Wind argued that might was the way to get the things you want. While the North Wind boasted of his forceful strength, the Sun maintained that there was greater power in gentleness. Looking down, the Sun spotted a man traveling a winding road, far below. He was wearing a warm winter coat. Suddenly, the Sun had an idea. "We shall have a contest,” said the Sun. “As a test of strength, let us see which of us can take the coat off that man." "It will be quite simple for me to force him to remove his coat," bragged the Wind. Gently, the Sun moved behind a cloud to give the Wind a chance to show how powerful it was. The Wind blew hard and the birds hid in the trees. The world was filled with dust and leaves, tugging at the coat of the man. The harder the wind blew, the tighter the shivering man wrapped his coat around him. The Sun then came out from behind its cloud. Smiling down upon the man, the Sun warmed the air and the frosty ground. The man on the road unbuttoned his coat. Slowly, the Sun grew brighter and brighter. Soon the man felt so hot, he took off his coat and sat down in a shady spot. "How did you do that?" asked the Wind in astonishment. "It was easy," replied the Sun. "I lighted the day. Through gentleness, I got my way." Island of Self-Discipline 4 Genbo How George Washington Saved a Young Nation From a Military Dictatorship by Beth Southwick General George Washington rode through camp atop his gray horse, Blueskin. Soldiers, clad in ragged clothing, sat near their tents quietly talking to each other; some were playing cards, others were writing letters home, shaving, or darning threadbare socks. Very few of them made actual eye contact with their General. The mood was sour and sullen. “Eight years,” thought Washington. “These good men have suffered eight long years for their country. How much we owe them!” Independence from Great Britain had been won at a terrible cost. And now, eighteen months after the last shots of war had been fired, soldiers and officers alike were still waiting their promised pay for all of their labors and sacrifice; and they were angry. In 1783, Congress was weak. Representatives of the different states were still trying to figure out the role of the new central government. They were not united and argued amongst themselves over many different issues. General Washington continuously appealed to them to pay his soldiers, but his pleas went largely ignored and unmet. There were, however, some men in Congress who were very concerned about the soldiers and wanted them to receive their due compensation and appreciation. During this time, an anonymous letter began circulating through the camp of the Continental Army. The letter was bitter, claiming that Congress was conspiring against them. It urged the officers to rise up and take over the government, using their military might. The idea seemed like a good idea to many of Washington’s officers, and they planned to meet in secret to discuss the possibility. Somehow Washington found out about the plot. Alarmed, he immediately issued orders forbidding the assembly. At the same time, he called for another meeting to be scheduled; one where his officers could discuss their grievances and find a more peaceful solution. Because of this action, a second letter soon circulated among these same men claiming that General Washington, their once esteemed leader, was part of the conspiracy and could not be trusted. Although he had intended to stay away, General Washington felt compelled to address his officers at this meeting. When he entered the room, the General was met by a crowd of cold, angry faces. Although he was completely unwelcome, he strode boldly to the front of the room. Standing tall and erect before his men, General Washington began gently entreating his officers not to do anything which they might regret. He reminded them of their own honest and strong characters; and urged them to remember who they were and the peace they had fought for. Island of Self-Discipline Genbo 5 General Washington further pled with them to keep faith with the infant government and to believe in the goodness of their representatives and their “unwearied” efforts to secure the needed funds to compensate the Army.* His speech ended and Washington could plainly see that the stone-faced men were unmoved by his appeal. He frantically searched his heart for anything that might sway them. On impulse, the General pulled out a letter that he carried in his pocket. It was written by a friendly congressman, expressing his support for the army and their grievances. Washington decided to read it to his officers, hoping that it would give the needed encouragement which he had failed to deliver. However, as he read, he stumbled over several words, making a bad presentation of it. Finally, he paused, reached into his coat pocket, and took out a new pair of reading glasses. The General’s need for spectacles was a surprise to most of the men present. While fumbling to put them on, Washington humbly said, “Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in the service of my country and now find that I am growing blind.” All at once, the tension and feelings of mutiny melted away like dew before the sunshine. Grown men cried as they considered how their beloved leader had sacrificed as much as any of them. George Washington read the letter and then, without any more words, left the room. Unanimously, the officers voted to sustain their revered General and wait for Congress to deliver on its promises. * “While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself in the most unequivocal manner to exert whatever ability I am possessed of in your favor, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measure which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained….