This is great for mom's and Dad's, Gramma's Grandpa's brothers and sisters to
tell thei5 young ones.
WHAT ABOUT ABSTINENCE?

 
  I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting
to preview the new course in sexuality.  Parents could examine the curriculum
and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to
the students.
 
  When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen
parents there.  As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page
after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease.  I found
abstinence mentioned only in passing.
 
  When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any
questions.  I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the
material.
 
  What happened next was shocking.
 
  There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought
abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand.
 
  The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of
embarrassment.  My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say. 
 
  The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach "facts,"
and the home was responsible for moral training. 
 
  I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained.  The
other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.
"Donuts, at the back," announced the teacher during the break.  "I'd like you
to put on the name tags we have prepared - they're right by the donuts - and
mingle with the other parents."
 
  Everyone moved to the back of the room.
 
As I watched them affixing their nametags and shaking hands, I sat deep in
thought.  I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a
serious discussion of abstinence in the materials  I uttered a silent prayer
for guidance.
 
  My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder.
 
  "Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?"  The nurse smiled sweetly at me.
"The donuts are good." 
 
  "Thank you, no."  I replied.
 
  "Well then, how about a name tag?  I'm sure the others would like to meet
you." 
 
  "Somehow I doubt that."  I replied.
 
  "Won't you please join them?"  she coaxed.
 
  Then I heard a still, small voice whisper "Don't go."  the instruction was
unmistakable.  "Don't go." 
 
  "I'll just wait here."  I said.
 
  When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long
table and thanked everyone for putting on nametags.  Then she said "Now we're
going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children.  Everyone
please peel off our name tags."  I watched in silence as the tags came off.  
 
  "Now then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower.  Who has
it, please?" 
 
  The gentleman across from me held it up.  "Here it is!" 
 
  "All right.,"  she said.  "The flower represents disease.   Do you recall
with whom you shook hands?" 
 
  He pointed to a couple of people.  "Very good."  she replied.  
 
  "The handshake in this case represents intimacy.  So the two people you had
contact with now have the disease." 
 
  There was laughter and joking among the parents.
 
  The teacher continued, "and whom did the two of you shake hands with?"  
 
  The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show
students how quickly disease is spread.
 
  "Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease." 
 
  It was then I heard the still, small voice again "Speak now, but be humble."
 
  I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair.
 
  I apologized for any upset that I might have caused earlier, congratulated
the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth and concluded
by saying that I only had one small point I wished to make.
 
  "Not all of us were infected,"  I said, "One of us... abstained."