My middle school students had a show last week at Legacy Memory Care, a facility in Falmouth, Maine. I'm learning that there is a wide range of geriatric care, and it is getting more and more specialized.  Legacy's focus is on the early stages of dementia, so their clientelle have minimal physical disabilities.  They also tend to be very lucid in the moment; they are able to enjoy the show as it's happening without a lot of confusion. They also seem to have pretty good long term memories form their younger years.  The challenge comes with remembering events after they have happened.  While we want our audiences to remember our shows long after we're gone, the audience's short term memory challenges may have worked to our advantage in at least one case.

Don't get me wrong, the show was awesome. Avery made his entrance juggling while riding a rip stick.  Faith was able to adjust her diabolo throws to the lower ceiling.  Liam was, as usual, perfect in both the roles of the father in "The Prodigal Son", and the husband in "Me".  The regular show went as well as ever.

But, as the end of the school year approaches, each eighth grader is given an opportunity to be spotlighted with a solo.  Often, students choose to juggle for their solo, but some have done magic, danced, sang, even shared a devotional thought.  But this year, Jasmine had a whole new idea.  Jasmine raises goats.  She wanted to do a trained goat routine.

While preparing for her solo, I asked Jasmine what tricks the goat, "Raindrop", would be performing.  Raindrop, I was told, would dance on her hind legs and jump an obstacle.  Then I asked her, "What is the likelihood of Raindrop peeing on the floor?"  

"70%" was Jasmine's answer.

Oh, Great.  But then another student had what seemed to be a brilliant idea.  Andrew suggested Raindrop perform inside a kiddie pool.  Perfect!  Our Kindergarten teacher happened to have one in storage!  

When we got to the point in the show when I turned the stage over to Jasmine, she introduced Raindrop to the audience and explained that the goat would be doing tricks.  As soon as the introduction was over, Raindrop peed in the pool.  A LOT!   Then she pooped.  A LOT!

Then she did nothing.  

No dancing.

No jumping.

Nothing.

After a few more moments of trying, Jasmine realized there would be no goat tricks tht morning, and the solo was over.  The good news is, Jasmine is a trooper, who was not particularly embarressed or disappointed in the way things turned out.

And the audience has long since forgotten it ever happened.