The Muse is Loose

This is a story from a long-ago childhood, but maybe worth telling. We lived across the road from Cavanaugh School in Arkansas. All twelve grades were in the two-story building. There was a stage on the second floor. In the summer I remember some kind of special session involving speaking, music, etc.. I was about nine and a part of this summer program. We were to have an evening program where each one participated. I had been given a "reading" to memorize. It didn't really click with me. It was also summer. I didn't work on it like I should have. Before I knew it the night of the program came and I simply was not ready to perform. I remember almost being pushed out on the stage to elocute a reading or poem I simply did not know. I began with a line or two and then looked at my prompter. She would give me a few words and I would repeat them and wait for more words. This was going no where! I remembered nothing! Finally I decided it must end and end quickly so I spoke in a clear and rather dramatic voice.( I DO remember what I said:) "I am sorry, folks, I forgot my lines.". I did a rather formal bow and left the stage. I was humiliated beyond belief. It is amazing that I ever got on a stage again. In Junior High in Fort Smith I sang to more than 2,000 students, "Give A Man A Horse He Can Ride". In high school I had the lead in "Life With Father". However, I had learned a very important lesson at Cavanaugh School..... know your lines. I have wondered how it would be on some Sunday morning half through a sermon to say, "I'm sorry, folks, I forgot my sermon!". If I did that I would bow and I promise.....never come back!