What's Blowing in the Wind?

Sarah getting ready for the first talent show, with Amanda

          When Sarah was in first grade she was in Bethesda Elementary's talent show dressed as a clown in full white-face make-up. She did a ballet to Tom Chapin's song Don't Make Me Go To School Today which has the same tune as Swan Lake. She was a hit! The crowd loved her.

          So when it was time the next year for the talent show, everyone at school was expecting Sarah to be a clown again. But Goobs told me she did not want the white-face anymore – it was too hot and uncomfortable. Then I suggested a hobo clown – hobos require a charcoal make-up which is much cooler. She said she would try it.

The Hobo Clown 1992

          Next, Sarah needed something for the hobo to do at the talent show.

          We had a tape that we listened to all the time by Peter, Paul, and Mary. The first time Sarah heard the tape and Bob Dylan's song Blowin' in the Wind came on, she asked quite earnestly afterward, “Mom? What is blowing in the wind?”

          I suggested she keep listening.

          For the talent show, the hobo with a hobo bag on a stick over her shoulder listened to Blowin' in the Wind and gestured along with the nine questions the song asks – she walked down the road, pointed to the dove and cowered from the cannon balls; the hobo watched the mountain crumble, strained to break free, and turned her head; she looked to the sky, cupped her ear to hear; and shook her fist at the too many deaths and then continued on down the road as the song subsided to its end.

          The crowd loved her again!

          A few days later I asked, “Well, Sarah, now that you've studied the song a bit more, tell me, do you now know what is blowing in the wind?”

          Her soft voice responded, “Yes Mom, the answers.”

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