A couple of days ago, I visited an orphanage in the Bulgarian countryside. I went with some friends who are part of Kids to Kids, a humanitarian organization that arranges for kids in different countries to exchange paintings, and for fortunate kids to donate toys to those who are less fortunate. A professional magician and I were supposed to each do a short show to entertain the kids.
Let me tell you, I was more nervous than when I was in the Green Room waiting to get on the Letterman Show! Although I’m not really an entertainer, I thought of a few things I could demonstrate, but I wasn’t sure how the kids would react. When my turn came, I joked around a little (there was a translator), and then started bouncing around on my pogo stick. I could tell it was the first time they had seen a pogo stick in person, and they were excited. Then, I did a short juggling routine followed by a yodeling demonstration. When I called one of the older boys up and tried to teach him to yodel, the kids broke out into howls of laughter! What a great feeling!
Finally, I tied the pogo stick around my waist, picked up the juggling balls and began hopping, juggling and yodeling all at the same time. The kids were mildly impressed, but when I convinced one of the organizers to kneel on the ground and challenge me to a race where we each pushed an orange with our nose, we brought the house down! I guess the kids don’t often see grownups making complete fools of themselves!!!
After the magic show, we all went outside to the yard and the children received their gifts. Each kid got a painting, a bag of toys and also the orphanage received some sports equipment. The kids were in seventh heaven, running around, kicking soccer balls and balloons, playing badminton and hockey, and trying out the pogo stick with my help. But even in the midst of all the hoopla, the kids were incredibly well-behaved. Before I left the orphanage, I made a promise to myself to join more of these excursions. We gave so little, yet I could tell from the kids’ beaming faces, that it meant so much.
