This evening as usual I watched the Andy Griffith show. A pleasant repose from the reality of a tough work day.
There was a competition for the youth of Mayberry to participate in a 50 meter dash to win a coveted metal. Deputy Fife practicing his “starting gun” expertise had just shot a hole in the office ceiling - again - thereby relinquishing his gun to Sheriff Taylor for the umpteenth time.
Opey came into the office and took his turn with other young boys to sign up for the race. Opey was all excited and determined to give it his best. Barney chimed in as usual with his youthful experience in winning the same race and then expounding on how he did not remove the medal he had won for a year. Barney then offered to train Opey for the race guaranteeing him that he could not lose if he followed Barney’s training regiment. Opey of course believed this with his heart and soul.
The day of the race came and Opey comes in dead last. Opey leaves the track immediately not congratulating the winner with the other boys.
Andy arrives home to find Opey pouting on the sofa. Andy sits down with Opey explaining that sometimes you win but how important it is to be a good loser. Opey does not understand and says he’d rather be “a good winner” refusing to give his father evidence that he understood the lesson.
Andy not getting anywhere finally utters the fatherly magic words “Opey, I am very disappointed in you, very disappointed”. Opey shortly after came to his father and said, “ I don’t want you to be disappointed in me, Pa!”
There was a competition for the youth of Mayberry to participate in a 50 meter dash to win a coveted metal. Deputy Fife practicing his “starting gun” expertise had just shot a hole in the office ceiling - again - thereby relinquishing his gun to Sheriff Taylor for the umpteenth time.
Opey came into the office and took his turn with other young boys to sign up for the race. Opey was all excited and determined to give it his best. Barney chimed in as usual with his youthful experience in winning the same race and then expounding on how he did not remove the medal he had won for a year. Barney then offered to train Opey for the race guaranteeing him that he could not lose if he followed Barney’s training regiment. Opey of course believed this with his heart and soul.
The day of the race came and Opey comes in dead last. Opey leaves the track immediately not congratulating the winner with the other boys.
Andy arrives home to find Opey pouting on the sofa. Andy sits down with Opey explaining that sometimes you win but how important it is to be a good loser. Opey does not understand and says he’d rather be “a good winner” refusing to give his father evidence that he understood the lesson.
Andy not getting anywhere finally utters the fatherly magic words “Opey, I am very disappointed in you, very disappointed”. Opey shortly after came to his father and said, “ I don’t want you to be disappointed in me, Pa!”
This is a story for those who attended the August 20th City Council Meeting.
1 comment:
Opie grew up, right Valerie? Didn't he end up trading in his fishing pole for a malt then traded that in for a director's chair? His hard work paid off and he became one of America's most trusted public figures.
He turned that TV disappointment into something special.
Now, he and Andy speak to each other as equals. In fact, Opie is looked to for advice and counsel.
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