The kindergarten counselor would walk in for her weekly session with the class, with Duso The Dolphin on one hand. As the two of them approached, we'd all sing, "Hello, Duso. How are you?" At the end of the session, we'd sing, "Goodbye, Duso. See you again." During the session, Duso would impart wisdom to us about staying calm, treating others with respect, and not letting anger get the best of us. Back then, I thought that the counselor had created Duso. Years later, I learned that Duso was part of a national curriculum designed to teach kids about conflict avoidance and resolution. Although it was a little disappointing to learn that Duso wasn't her original idea, I thought, "Why shouldn't there be hundreds of Dusos all over the country, teaching these lessons? A dolphin, after all, is more appealing and less threatening to kids than the many hectoring adults they'll encounter during their lives. A dolphin puppet also works as a sympathetic ear and lesson dispenser in any era--certainly more than any well-meaning yet corny theater troupe singing lyrics to kids such as, 'A peaceful resolution, that's what it's all about. No need to raise your voices, no need to scream and shout.'" (Granted, I've never heard anyone sing those exact lyrics, but they're not far removed from what I remember about school assemblies and Saturday morning TV shows aimed at kids.) I don't know if counselors still use Duso puppets in kindergarten today, but it wouldn't be a bad idea if they did.
It's puzzling what stays in your mind, 39 years later.
