The Singing Scoutmaster: Cork In A Soda Bottle

(Before the presentation, insert a small cork inside a soda bottle whose mouth is just a little bit smaller than the cork. Hold up the bottle with the cork inside it.)

Does anyone know how to get the cork out of the soda bottle without breaking the bottle? (Allow Scouts to offer opinions of how this might be done, and allow several to try to get it out.)

Can you think of any items that would help get the cork out of the bottle? (You probably will get some more opinions. After hearing some ideas, pull a piece of heavy string out of your pocket.)

Do you think a piece of string will do the job? The key to removing the cork with the string is a knot tied on the end of the string. (Tie a stopper knot on one end of the string. Run the knotted end into the bottle, turn the bottle upside down with the small end of the cork turned toward the crown of the bottle. Gently pull the string out, and as the knot slides against the cork, it will pop out.) The knot is the key to the success of removing the cork.

If something as small as a knot can serve such an important role, think how important each of us are to our patrol and troop.