Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: REFLECTION (10/10/19)
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TITLE: Magical Meditations | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Culler
10/13/19 -
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The final word to this rhyme was the climactic answer given during my Girl Scout pinning ceremony in the 1960s. I still recall participating in the ritual where reciting this riddle, and looking into a magic pond for the answer led to being a full-fledged Brownie Scout. It was a special time as young girls reflected on the concept of helping others.
The original folktale about elves known as Brownies was attributed to Juliana Horatia Ewing in 1870. Through the years, there were variations of the story, and when the Girl Scouts officially added a level for girls in second and third grade, the legend was adapted for their main theme.
The following is a paraphrased version of the story published in my old Brownie handbook.
There were two little girls who lived with their father and grandmother in a village in England. They were lazy; never helping around the house. One day, Grandma mentioned how much she missed having brownies to help her do the chores. The girls wanted to know what brownies were and Grandma relayed the tale of how the little elves helped out and did good deeds in secret. Of course, the girls wanted to get the brownies back, but Grandma said that only the wise old owl in the magic forest could tell them where the brownies were. During the night, one of the girls snuck out and went into the forest because she knew of an owl that lived there. She asked about brownies, and the wise old owl said that she knew of two brownies living in the girl’s house. The little girl wanted to get them back, so the wise old owl told her to go to the magic pond, spin around three times and say:
“Twist me and turn me and show me the elf; I looked in the water and saw…”
The owl continued to tell her that when she figured out the last part of the rhyme as she looked in the water, she will have seen the brownie. The little girl did what the owl said, but was disappointed when she saw only her own reflection. The child went back to the owl and whined that nothing happened;that she only saw herself, and that she was not a brownie.
The owl proceeded to tell the girl that she could be one if she really wanted to, but must always help others. The little girl agreed that she wanted to try to be a brownie, and when the owl touched her hand, the girl was back in her own bed. She woke her sister and described what happened. Both girls decided that they wanted to be brownies, so they quietly cleaned the house. In the morning, when it was discovered, Grandma announced that the brownies were back. The girls were very happy, and never told their family about who was doing all the good deeds.
Back in those days, kids were more innocent, and loved magical thinking. In the ceremony, when the girls received their Brownie pin, the brownie story was told, and the forest scene was reenacted by each girl. The pond was created by using a mirror surrounded by plants, and the leader gently twirled the scout around three times while chanting the rhyme:
“Twist me and turn me and show me the elf; I looked in the water and saw…”
The girl would look into the pond and proclaim: MYSELF!
To complete the ceremony, the leader placed the brownie pin upside down on the uniform, and it remained that way until the wearer performed three unspoken good deeds. It was a special time for the girls as they concluded with the Brownie pledge, salute and song.
Being spun three times, looking into a disguised mirror, and seeing the image of my seven year old self, made quite an impression. As a young adult, I was able to pass on the enchantment of the reflection in the magic pond when I served five years as a Brownie leader. It was always a delightful ceremony for the girls. Now nearly six decades later, I still enjoy serving others and have a special place in my heart for little Brownie Girl Scouts.
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~Blessings
Originally the girls were called Rosebuds, but were renamed by Lord Baden-Powell after the girls had complained that they didn't like their name. Their name comes from the story "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing, written in 1870. In the story two children, Tommy and Betty, learn that children can be helpful Brownies or lazy boggarts.