Child's question at school talk

[OC Richard]

Wow what a great question! Kids are amazing that way.

I used to do a load of school concerts. A couple weeks after doing one, sometimes, I would get a packet in the mail of drawings the kids did of me. I saved all of them. They're wonderful and give insights into what the kids found interesting, what they remembered. Since these drawings were done after the fact I'm often amazed at the level of detail, the accuracy of their memory.

Back years ago, before Zero Tolerance policies, I would wear a sgian and inevitably many of the kids would find this the most memorable part of the concert. They also were always fascinated with the fact that my bodhran was made of goatskin and my pipe bag made of sheepskin. And that my bagpipe is over 100 years old. Older than their teachers! Hard for them to imagine.

(Hmmm... I wonder how many bagpipe bags can you get from one sheepskin?)

And the questions! Always questions about the sgian. What I found odd is that kids would always ask how much bagpipes cost.

[Jock Scot]

That reminds me of folks who would call my husband's orthodontic practice and ask how much braces cost. I finally began answering that question by saying it was like calling a garage and asking how much it would cost to repair a car...without a clue what was the problem. But at least now I have a mental picture of sheep on a hillside all wearing a kilt apiece! Now let's talk which tartan. Are they all the same clan? Might some be rebels and wish another tartan? Obviously it's too early for me to be serious! Coffee, I need coffee..

Google "Tartan sheep pictures".

[Piglet]

Wow! What a lot of replies - thanks very much. I must admit, I made a very silly mistake when weighing my husband's kilts (I'll blame it on having had a glass of wine before the weigh in took place). Having checked on the bathroom scales, its more like 3 1/2 lbs which makes a lot more sense with it being 13oz wool.

I realise that it will depend on the type of sheep etc, but I am more confident now that I can go in with an answer of roughly one sheep's fleece per kilt. I must admit, that surprised me quite a bit - I had expected it to take more than that per kilt, so this has been a very interesting episode in my tartan education!

Thanks again for all your input.

[Stitchwiz]

Google "Tartan sheep pictures".

Good thing I wasn't drinking anything, Jock! I just can't justify another computer.

[Blupiper]

Wow what a great question! Kids are amazing that way.

I used to do a load of school concerts. A couple weeks after doing one, sometimes, I would get a packet in the mail of drawings the kids did of me. I saved all of them. They're wonderful and give insights into what the kids found interesting, what they remembered. Since these drawings were done after the fact I'm often amazed at the level of detail, the accuracy of their memory.

Back years ago, before Zero Tolerance policies, I would wear a sgian and inevitably many of the kids would find this the most memorable part of the concert. They also were always fascinated with the fact that my bodhran was made of goatskin and my pipe bag made of sheepskin. And that my bagpipe is over 100 years old. Older than their teachers! Hard for them to imagine.

(Hmmm... I wonder how many bagpipe bags can you get from one sheepskin?)

And the questions! Always questions about the sgian. What I found odd is that kids would always ask how much bagpipes cost.

Richard:

Too true! I was piping in church recently and a four-year old came up to me. "What' that in your sock?," he asked. I made the mistake of referring to the sgian as a "small dagger" and, wow, it was on. "A DAGGER!," he shouted and then everyone wanted to see--some of the mommies not amused. I explained the historical and social significance of a sgian dubh and left it at that. Definitely trumped any questions about the pipes.

[OC Richard]

Yep!

I've shown up dressed like this, years ago, and everyone wants to know about and hold the dirk and the sword! Turns into a weaponry show-and-tell, and there's no more music!