tI woke up early Saturday morning. It was about 6:30 a.m. and I couldn’t get back to sleep. My years in the military have ruined my ability to really get a good night’s sleep. I can easily sleep for about 4 hours and wake up without the assistance of an alarm clock. This morning was no different when my popped opened at about 5:30 a.m... I had two choices, I could get up and log on to my computer and check my email or I could attempt to make myself go back to sleep. Well I can tell that I wasn’t in the mood to check my email. I also knew that making myself go back to sleep would be a hopeless battle as well.
     It was then that I decided to turn on the television set in my bedroom. I thought I could at least surf the channels to find something of interest to watch. It was then that I came to station that was showing the old cartoons that I used to watch as a kid. These cartoons in my opinion were the best because unlike today’s cartoons where you need a Master’s degree in computer science these cartoons conveyed simple and easy life lessons. These cartoons were produced by a company called Merry Melodies. These were the same people that brought us Bugs Bunny, Porky pig and all those cartoons that exposed us to classical music. This particular feature caught my eye. It started with a father owl that lived in a big oak tree with his wife. On the outside of his tree he had posted signs that advertised that he was a classical music teacher who taught classical voice, piano and violin. In big bold letters at the bottom of the sign he clearly states ‘Classical Only, No Jazz!’  The next scene takes us into his house where he is pacing back and forth as his wife sits on 4 eggs in her nest. He stops periodically as his wife checks to see if the eggs are ready to hatch.
     Suddenly the mother owl feels a stir underneath her and she jumps up to finally watch her eggs hatch. The father owl takes out his trusty conductor baton and taps each egg. As he taps each egg you hear the notes of the C major scale until he taps the last egg and you hear a note that is out of tune.
    The first egg breaks open and a baby owl pops out and he starts singing like Pavarotti. The second egg breaks open and another baby owl comes out playing a classical piece on the violin. The third egg breaks open and the third baby owl comes out playing a beautiful song on the flute. By this time both parents are excited what they see and can’t wait to see the final egg hatch. Finally the last egg hatches but this time this baby owl jumps out and he is different. This baby owl begins to sing jazz! The baby owl begins signing this cool jazz tune ‘I Love to Sing’. Both parents are overcome with disappointment, so much so that the mother faints. The baby owl is now ordered by his father to practice classical music only. This baby owl sits in a room day after day singing classical music as his father stands over him. The father leaves the room for a minute and when he returns he finds the baby owl singing jazz again. This time the father owl is furious with his son and orders him to leave their home. The baby owl is sad by the decision but he soon finds happiness in finally having the freedom to be himself. Back home momma and papa owl are beginning to regret their decision about asking their son to leave. It is then that they decide to go after their son and bring him back home.

The baby owl is walking through town where he discovers that a talent show is being held at the local radio station. The scene shows the judge of the talent show listening to each person as they stand in front of him performing. Each act is so bad that the judge hits a bell with his gavel and suddenly each performer falls through a trap door that slides them through and outside the building. The judge by this time is so frustrated because each participant is just so bad and he doubts that he will ever find a talented winner. The baby owl decides to jump in line with the rest of people to get a shot at performing in the competition. Soon it is the baby owls turn to perform. He starts to sing his catchy jazz tune ‘I Love to Sing’.  The judge takes notice instantly and begins to hand the baby owl the first place trophy. The baby owl’s parents happen to hear their son singing on the radio, so the take off to the station to go get their son. The baby owl notices immediately as his parents come into the radio station. It is then that the baby owl reverts back and starts to sing the classical music his father made him practice. The judge of the talent show begins to change his mind and starts to pick up his gavel to open the trap door on the baby owl. The father owl quickly jumps in and starts to sing the catchy jazz tune himself encouraging his son that it’s okay to sing jazz. Soon the mother and the three other baby owls join in singing the jazz tune.

Watching this cartoon brought a smile to my face. I can’t tell you how many times that I felt like that baby owl. I didn’t purposely try to be different; the point is I am different. I can just imagine that all of us have found ourselves to be the ‘odd egg’ out. I sure there were times when no one understood us. I understand now that it takes great courage to be different. To stand up in the midst conformity and dare to be one’s self is truly a personal achievement. It is truly our differences that make each us unique. This cartoon taught me a simple life lesson this morning. We should never be afraid of being different. We all can’t sing classical music. I know one thing that’s true for me, I like to sing jazz and I am proud of it.