April 21, 2008

The Jungle Gym

Remember the jungle gym?
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We were just little guys and the allure of that steel metal maze called to us. "Come, little ones, take your life in your hands and climb up! High, above the asphalt!" Of course hundreds of other kids were climbing, too, so your chances of getting hands stepped on was high. In the 50's the boys ruled the jungle gym. We girls wore dresses. That in itself stopped us in our tracks. A dichotomy in kindergarten as well, boys played blocks. Not girls. Blocks looked enticing. The guys could build some big towers and knock them down. We girls played with the dolls and the play telephone and read books.
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Today things are different. Bark or rubber cushions falls. Stairs ensure safe climbing. But swinging on the bars remains the same!
The dichotomy at school today is not between girls and boys, but between swingers and non swingers. Seems as if strong muscles combined with light weight does the trick. Round and round they go. Some swinging in slow motion; look at that strength! One rung after another; swing, hang, reach slowly towards the next rung, grasp.
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Amazing feats of strength on the jungle gym!




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