"Overcoming Prejudice"

Though it doesn't seem possible it has been nearly a year since Shaver and Splinter magically became Mrs. Hardy's children. It seems each day the boys are learning more and more about the world around them and the pros and cons of being only human.

"You know something, Splinter," asked Shaver, "at times I want very much to be just like the other boys in the neighborhood but sometimes I get so confused. There are still so many things I don't understand yet about being human.

Huh? Thought Splinter...what in the world is he talking about?

"I'm sorry, Splinter." He apologized. "Maybe I should explain."

Shaver reminded Splinter of the new friends they had made last week. He had a problem and he wasn't sure how to solve it.

He first met Bobby, a small lad who lived down the lane. He was about the same size as Shaver and they had a lot in common. They both liked baseball, football, basketball...all the things most young boys enjoyed. They agreed they were best friends.

A few days ago Shaver and Splinter met another young boy who just moved to the neighborhood. His name is Pedro. He and his family came to America for a better life. His country is a poor nation and his dad couldn't earn enough to support them there.

Shaver really liked Pedro a lot though he couldn't always understand what he was saying. This really wasn't a problem for them because somehow, I guess just both being young boys, they seemed to know what the other one was talking about. But, I have to tell you, there is always a look of wonderment on Pedro's face every time he looks at the wooden boy and his dog. We can only imagine what he must be thinking.

"You see Splinter, my problem is Bobby won't play with Pedro and me anymore." Stated Shaver. "I like them both and want to be best friends with the two of them."

"Gruff!" Splinter moaned still wondering what Shaver was talking about. Why can't you be friends with both boys? He thought. Dogs do it...why can't people?

"Bobby told me his father said not to play with Pedro because he was a brown boy, not a white one like him." Shaver pondered. "He said it wouldn't be proper...I don't understand, do you Splinter?"

Splinter whined a response that sounded like he surely didn't have a clue as to what Shaver was talking about.

"This is something I'll have to talk to Mother about...come on, Splinter."

Shaver asked his mother why Bobby's father wouldn't let him play with Pedro just because their color was different. What she told him still seemed to confuse him.

"Well, what you are talking about is called being prejudiced." Said Mrs. Hardy dropping her head. "It hurts me to think I even have to explain to you what it is." She mumbled under her breath.

"You see, every person should be treated equally no matter what the color of his skin is. There are , still, some people in the world who feel hatred for anyone who is different from them." She told the boys. "It's a kind of fear I guess...it's hard to explain but I'll try."

"The word prejudice means to have an opinion of someone before you ever see or meet them, usually a bad opinion." She said. "Sometimes it is because of your religious beliefs or the country you come from but, mostly, it's because your skin isn't the same color as theirs."

"Mother, that's not right...what must some people think of Splinter and me?" He asked. "We are very different from other boys and dogs."

"Just remember boys, always judge a person by how much kindness is in his heart or the kind of person he is...not by the color of his skin. Do you understand?" She asked.

"Yes, Mother." Sighed Shaver.

Poor Splinter was even more confused now. The only thing he kept thinking about was all the different colored dogs that are his friends. Is it the same thing, he wondered. Oh well, we have fun and that's all that matters to me.

Splinter, without knowing it, is doing the proper thing. He plays with them all, having a good time and never giving any thought to what color they are. His attitude is, who cares about color?

"Come on Splinter, let's go outside and play. It is too pretty a day to stay inside." Shaver said.

"Yip, yip yahoo!" He yelped.

If there was anything more fun than chasing his tail it was running and romping in the sunshine...even if it was a little nippy.

"There's Bobby, Splinter. Hi, Bobby." Shaver yelled. "Want to shoot a few hoops for awhile? If you don't, we could race down to Mr. Mike's toy shop."

"Ruff...ru-ff!" Yapped Splinter excitedly. He loved a good race.

The boys chalked a mark on the walk for a starting line, put their right feet exactly on the line...no fudging was allowed. Then..."One, two, three...go!" The boys screamed.

What a race! First Shaver was leading, flying like the wind. Then...look out! Here comes Bobby passing Shaver like he was standing still. Then, without warning, Splinter darts between and in and out the young boys' legs. That dog would do anything to win. Here they come across the finish line...faster, faster, the winner is..."Splinter, that isn't fair. You can't try to trip us just so you can win the race." Shaver said.

Honestly, that hound seemed to be grinning at the boys when he crossed the finish line.

"Look Bobby, it's Pedro. Hi Pedro, want to play?" Shaver yelled. "Si amigo." He answered in Spanish as he was running toward the boys. Shaver had played with Pedro enough to know he had said yes friend, when he was asked to play. Bobby stood quietly for awhile then joined in playing with Pedro and Shaver. The boys were all running down the sidewalk, jumping, skipping and giggling. They were having fun as three young friends should on such a pretty day.

Shaver noticed Bobby had slowed down some, almost to a stop.

"Come on slow poke, what's your problem?" Hollered Shaver.

"It's my dad, there on the corner...I have to go home now." He said as he turned and ran to his father.

Shaver and Pedro played together for several days after that. They wondered why their friend Bobby hadn't been around lately.

"Let's go over to Bobby's house and see if he can come out and play." Said Shaver.

"Yes...my...friend." Said Pedro slowly.

The boys had been teaching each other their way of speaking. This way they learned about one another's country and customs. It was very exciting to Shaver especially since he didn't know a whole lot about his own country just yet.

As the boys knocked on the door they heard footsteps coming to answer it. It was Bobby's father, Mr. Johnson.

"Hello Mr. Johnson, can Bobby come out and play for awhile?" Asked Shaver. "We thought we might all go ice skating on the pond near Mr. Mike's toy shop...is it okay?"

"No boys, Bobby can't play with you today. He...er...that is he has too many chores to do...good-bye." With this he shut the door right in their tiny faces.

"How rude!" Shaver said. "I was hoping he might be feeling differently about you Pedro...I guess not."

"Well, it looks like you and me, amigo." Said Shaver. "Do you know how to ice skate?"

In his new language Pedro made clear he would try his best to ice skate but he was a little afraid of such a sport.

"Nonsense!" Shaver said. "I'll lend you a pair of my old skates, before you know it you'll be skating like everyone else, okay?"

"Hurry Pedro, I want to try to get away without Splinter seeing us." Whispered Shaver. "He's such a show-off on the ice."

The boys quickly laced up their skates and took off on the frozen pond. Pedro was doing an excellent job for someone who never skated before.

"Oh no...look who's here." Remarked Shaver.

Splinter had found an old burlap bag, placed it on the pond, ran as fast as he could then did a belly wop on it so it would slide across the frozen water. He was flying, spinning in circles with his skinny tail rotating about so he could keep his balance.

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