PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 213 



from their patient struggle against great odds, have come some of the 

 greatest blessings of our modern life. 



True, we cannot all be naturalists or geologists, but we can learn from 

 them much that would make each little flower, each bird and beast, 

 each pebble at our feet, a companion and a friend. 



Bravely these men and women of understanding have gone on filling 

 case after case in our museums, writing volume after volume, working 

 and pleading for reservations of land, timber and water, until today, 

 we are recognizing the fundamental truth, of their arguments and the 

 usefulness of their plans. 



There are very few people in America who have not some love for 

 the great out-of-doors. There are very few who know anything about 

 it and there are very few who do not listen eagerly when a tale of nature 

 is told. Little children are most susceptible to nature's influence and 

 because they are yet close to her and unmarred by worldly contact, their 

 understanding is often superior to that of the adult. Once they know 

 and understand nature's message, they become nature's protectors and 

 communicants. They revel in their knowledge and its inspiration is con- 

 structive. 



An instance is well worth reciting: 



Not long ago a lady was visiting the museum in the Iowa State Histor- 

 ical Building. Four small ragged, dirty boys were likewise going from 

 case to case. But as they went, they would inquire one of the other 

 "Hey! what's that thing?" Invariably the answer came in true young 

 American fashion, "Search me." The lady thinking to please these 

 urchins of the streets, ventured to say "Hello, boys." Quickly the answer 

 came, "Hello, lady. Say, what's that thing?" 



The thing in question was a specimen of Iowa's coral. The story of 

 the coral and its buildings was told in answer to many eager questions 

 and quaint comments. 



These five went from case to case, the lady answering as best she 

 could the many questions, building in each little mind a love of the beau- 

 tiful and understanding of much that they saw. 



At last they came to war relics and the lesson of destruction was 

 taught. The boys were not as interested and enthusiasm lagged be- 

 hind them, quick as a flash and by unanimous decision came this re- 

 quest: "Say, lady, we don't care about these things; they're only to kill 

 folks with anyway. Come upstairs and tell us some more 'bout what 

 we can find outdoors; 'bout the rocks, the big elephants what lived so 

 long ago, the Injuns and them things they used to hunt with. Come on, 

 lady, won't yer?" And back to the other floor they went. 



For four hours they walked about and talked and childish faces 

 gleamed with joy of knowledge of the great out-doors. When they parted 

 at the door, one little fellow whose sparkling dark eyes looked out from 

 a very dirty face, grasped her hand and said: "Lady! them's great. When 

 summer comes I'm goin' t' hunt fer some of them things. Kin we come 

 agin? Will you be here? Say, couldn't you take us some place and show 

 us somethin' like they got shut up here?" 



Plans for future meetings were laid and four boys went happily on 

 their way. As they went down the outside steps, one boy said, "Hey, 



