THE BOY -THE SCOUT MAN

19TH Century ! A century that gave birth to a host of great men and women
Religious reformers, revolutionist, social reformers, artists, literary geniuses,
educationists and so on. They laid the foundations of the modern world of
Advanced Technology.
One among such great men was Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell. This
great man was a boy too! He was born on 22 nd Feb 1857 at Lindhust London to the
parents Revernad, Prof, Herbert George Baden Powell and Henritta Grace Smyth.
Father came from the family of British Navy and army background. Mother came
from the British ministers family. Baden Powell was 8 th among 10 children in the
family. His upbringing had Educational and Cultural background. His parents had
deep passion for Nature, Arts and Literature.
Stephe was a lively, obedient and cheerful boy. He was mothers pet. He lost his
father at an early age of three. At this age he was able to make drawings
representing Jesus going to heaven surrounded by the holy angles. Mother single
handedly brought up children in a befitting manner against odds. She gave
children, freedom to learn and experience what they want on their own but with
discipline under her watchful eyes.
Stephes schooling started at Dames School Kensington London. Then went to
Rosehill preparatory school Tun Bridge-London.
The boy Stephe was full of
empathy, feeling compassionate about the poor and sick around him and used to
wonder how he could help them. On his 8 th Birthday he wanted to do something for
them but the boy was too young to do so, he had to grow up for it. Stephe thought,
When I grow up, I may forget this thought. So carefully he wrote a set of laws for
himself.
Laws for me when I grow old.
I will have the poor to be as rich as we ate and who go across, crossing shall
give to the sweepers some money and you ought to thank him for what he has
given us and he has made the poor people to be poor and rich to be rich and can
tell you to be good and now I tell you, you must pray to go, not only praying but
praying you must also try very hard to be good.
This writing of little boy went a long way in his life and made him a great human.
Stephe from Tuns Bridge school finally Joined Charter house London in 1869 on
gown boy scholarship. In those days scholarship holders had to serve senior boys.
Stephe took up the service of giving Bathing Towel to senior boys. The boys Nick
named him as bathing Towell.

Stephe was a left hander using his left hand to write. His mother was worried
and started complaining about this. Once John Ruskin English art and critic, social
reformer saw Stephe using left hand, heard mother complain and advised her not to
worry and allow him to continue his lefthanded writing. He started writing and
drawing using both hands simultaneously. The skill of using both hands is called
ambidexterity. This unique talent made him an unique artist.
Stephe was an active boy and was popular among students. He was a member of
all clubs in the school and the School choir. He played violin, was a good football
player and an outstanding goal keeper. His goal keeping appreciation appeared in
the school magazine. He attracted students by his wit and trick. He was average
in academics but highly talented and skillful. More than academics he liked to
explore and live amidst Nature. He was an allrounder. Head Master Dr. Heigh
Brown had much faith in Stephe. He called up on his mother who was worried about
her son and said your sons ability is greater than it would appear by the results of
the Quarter. I am well satisfied with his conduct . I hope he will work enough to
ensure himself against superannuation.

Charter house was located on the hill slope. The backyard was full of trees,
plants, animals and birds. He escaped alone into the woods at leisure and
discovered delights of the woods. He stealthily walked in the woods observing
animals, their footprints and studying plants. He used to hunt rabbits, skin them
out, make fire without smoke, bake them and eat . He mimicked the cry of animals
and birds. He said, sometimes he got the reply to his cry. While going in the woods
he used to keep a landmark for the safe return. He used knife and hand axe while
exploring the woods and knew the skill of hiding and freezing.His eyes opened for
the wonders, beauties and bounties of Nature.
He was a member of the School cadet corps. He took part in debates, theatrics
and concerts. He was a spontaneous entertainer and taught himself the elements of
scouting. The boy Stephe blossomed into a scout man who founded scouting for
boys.
Henritta, Stephes mother intelligently taught him to economize. Instead of
providing pocket money to each child, she made a common cash box. The rule was
anyone can take the money as per their requirement, depositing note, on money
taken. This practice helped the children to learn money management.
Stephe had wonderful holidays with his brothers. Elder brother Warington used to be
a leader of the home patrol. They had a boat, and used to join boat repair, build the
rafts and start sporting in water. They formed a crew with strict discipline. As Stephe
was the youngest, he had to do many chores. They cruised on the costs of Scotland,
England and across Norway tiding over dangers. They also trekked countries like
Wales and Scotland, slept under the sky gazing and learning about star

constellations, made sketches and notes collected history of old building and
monuments, met people in this connection, visited factories in towns, learnt things
like making bricks, papers and so on. By these tasks Stephe learnt to work in a tea,
become resourceful, and courageous. This helped him to mould himself into a
tough man.
While on such adventures once it so happened that Stephe got the duty to cook for
all. Brothers tasted it, but as it was badly cooked, made stephe eat all the food. Lord
BP says, I learnt a lesson and learnt cooking because of this incident. Lord Baden
Powell introduced cooking in boys scouting. Cooking is a life skill and essential for
all and especially in outdoor living. He also said, There is no better cook than your
mother to teach you cooking.
Stephe was graduated from Charter house in 1876. His boyhood was transformed
into manhood. He appeared for army selection examination and got second place in
Cavalry, fourth in Infantry out of seven hundred aspirants.More than academics his
self-scouting and life skills got him a direct commissioned post in the army. Scouts
and guides should develop skills and talents along with academics to play the game
of life.
Its time to be busy, cheerful. Develop your character, intelligence and talents.
Always keep doing something good and useful. Develop a taste for learning by
doing.
Remember the man Baden powell was the byproduct of his boyhood and all great
men are so. Why shouldnt you be?
Always first. Next to none.
Be happy, and make others happy.
Strike off IM fromIMPOSSIBLE, everything is POSSIBLE.
By BP