I often tell my story of “The Hand,” as part of my brief experience as a Boy Scout.  (See Post #150).  Over the past month or so, I’ve been encouraged to retell this story many times, as people seem to enjoy it.  Keep in mind, I was about 10 years old when this actually happened, and I really don’t know or remember the people involved or the actual outcome.  It was the end of my Scouting experience, and I honestly don’t know if it was ever reported as an accident or even investigated.  I decided to write a couple of poems about the story, hoping to preserve its circumstances for years to come.

The Hand

Scouts gather round,

It’s the tale of “The Hand.”

It is a scary story,

As you’ll soon understand.

.

This Campfire tale,

Now much in demand.

As an old Indian warrior,

Lost his right hand.

.

All you little kids,

It hides in the dark.

Can strike at any minute,

In this very park.

.

It might grab your neck,

As you sit by the fire.

It’s out for revenge,

Your throat its desire.

.

You can hide in your tent,

Poised with Boy Scout knife.

Beware of “The Hand,”

It could take your life.

.

You can see the fear,

In the younger Scouts.

Is “The Hand” for real?

I’m sure there were doubts.

.

It’s quiet in the woods,

But no one can sleep.

No one really knows where,

“The Hand” might creep?

.

Flashlights shining brightly,

All huddled in one tent.

Impressionable kids,

A moment to resent.

,

An older scout,

But not very bright.

Sticks his hand underneath,

In the middle of the night.

,

There’s stab after stab,

And a scream in the night.

The ambulance is called,

His hand a bloody sight

.

What have you done?

Our scout leader cries.

We’re all in shock,

What if he dies?

.

The Scout Motto,

Is “Be Prepared.”

What else could we do?

We were scared.

.

We pack up the camp,

The Troop disbands.

For all I know that woods,

May now have two hands.

.

Did I earn a First Aid badge?

Or learn to camp out?

No, I never had a chance,

To be an Eagle Scout.

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Copyright 2017  johnstonwrites.com

See my next post (#289) for the sequel called “Eagle Scout.”