Short Stories

---

Every child needs a place in the spot light at least once. Maybe it is that first home run on the little league team and the sound of a cheering crowd. A piano recital for a nervous little girl sitting on the edge of the piano bench and hearing applause will leave behind lasting memories. I was never good in athletics and was usually a last choice when captains were picking teams. I did not play a musical instrument or have an outstanding voice. My honor came when I was chosen for a skit in elementary school.

The performance was not a big evening event shared in front of a large audience of friends and family. As I remember it was during school hours and only for children in the lower grades. As a part of history studies we must have been having lessons about The Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800's. A group was commissioned to travel to the Pacific Ocean, under an appointment by President Thomas Jefferson.

I was assigned the role of Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian Squaw. She was a translator for the group led by Lewis and Clark and she also served at times as a guide in territory familiar to her. I can still remember the pride I felt up on the stage at one end of our cafeteria. I wore my brown Brownie Scout uniform and probably some head feathers. Looking back I don't know why I wore my Brownie dress. My teacher may have thought the light brown color was like the leather garments worn by the Indians. To this day I like the sound of the name Sacagawea. Her name is given honor in Americas' recorded history of our early expansion westward. I don't think she would mind that a little girl once shared the spot light for a brief moment in time.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE