Brick wall Quote by Damon Thomas
““I learned many things at Dixie County High School. There was a class called Life Management. One week we brought in a 5lb sacks of flour. For 2 weeks we were to carry this around as our baby. It needed to return intact to get a grade. But tape could be used for repairs. So the first night I wrapped my Piggy Wiggly-brand flour baby in 2 rolls of duct tape. Added a face. Glued on some orange faux fur hair. Five pounds became 8. They grow up so fast! Over the next week we tossed this tape baby against brick walls. No harm was done. Parenting came naturally it seemed. Until we decided to drop junior out a car window while heading down County Road 55A. It bounced off the road and out into a field. We searched... but never found that sack of flour. It might be out there still. The next morning I told my teacher what had happened. Baby went out a window. Was lost in a field. She just stared. Told me not to tell anyone else this story. I still got full credit though. No one expected much of parents back then.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal Narrative, 2020
A classroom exercise using a fragile flour “baby” illustrates how care, improvisation, and loss teach responsibility and resilience.
In simple terms: Flour baby lesson on care.
Key Takeaway
Embrace responsibility.
Themes
growth
responsibility
creativity
loss
resilience
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- project teamwork
- creative problem solving
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
Symbolic learning
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “baby” represent for you?
- How can you apply this lesson to real responsibilities?
A Different Perspective
The story’s absurdity may limit its seriousness.
