As a youngster, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday aftrnoons
at my
grandfather\''s farm in western Pennsylvania.
Surrounded by miles
of winding stone walls, the house and barn provided endless hours of
fun for a city kd like me. I was used to neat-as-a-pin parlors that
seemed to whisper, "Not to be touched!"
I can still remember one afternoon when I was eight years old.
Since my first visit to the farm, I\''d wanted more than anything to be
allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the property. My parents
would never approve. The walls were old; some stones were missing,
othrs loose and crumbling. Stil, m yearning to scramble across those
walls grew so strong that finally, one spring afternoo, I summoned all
my courage and entered the living room, where the adults had gathered
after Sunday dinner.
"i, uh--I wanna climb the stone wall, " i said hesitantly.
Everyone looked up. "Can I climb the stone walls?" Instantly a chorus
went up from the women in the room."Heavens, no!" they cried in dismay.
"You\''ll hurt yourself!" I wasn\''t too disappointed; the response was
just as I\''d expected. But before I could leave the room, I was stopped
by my
grandfather\''s booming voice. "Now hold on just a minute, " I
heard him say." Let the boy climb the stone wall. he has to learn to do
thins for himself."
"Scoot," he said to me with a wink, "And come and see me when
you get back." For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old
walls--and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to
tell him about my adventures. I\''ll never forget what he said. "Fred,"
he said , grinning, "you made this day a special day just by being
yourself. Always remember, there\''s only one person in this whole world
like you, and I like you
exactly as you are."
many years have passed since then, and today I host the
television program Mister Rogers\'' neighborhood, seen by millions of
children throughout America. There have been changes over the years,
but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of
almost every visit."There\''s only one person in this whole world like
you, " the kids can count on hearing me say, "and people can like you
exactly as you are.