March 2019

  From the Dragons’ Den

One of the best things about Little Dragons, in fact perhaps the very best thing, is when a very young child who has been coming to Dragons practically since birth, suddenly realises that they know you, they recognise your face – and they give a huge smile when they see you.  There is nothing quite like the beam of recognition that lights up the space between you and gladdens the heart immensely.

In particular, for me, there is the special thread that attaches me to some of these little children.  It is sometimes the case that 20+ years ago, I may have taught their parent, be it mother or father, and it is lovely to see a likeness from the time when the, now, parent was a big part of my life and likewise, I was a big part of his or hers.

You may remember a song from earlier days, ‘When You’re Smiling, the Whole World Smiles with you’– written, apparently in 1928, famously sung by Louis Armstrong:

When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling,
The whole world smiles with you.
Yes when you’re laughing, when you’re laughing,
The sun comes shining through.

But when you’re crying, you bring on the rain.
So stop your sighing, be happy again.
Keep on smiling, keep on smiling, 
And the whole world smiles with you.

There is a huge truth in this song.  I once did an experiment whilst walking up Pride Hill in Shrewsbury and I repeat this experiment practically every Friday morning as I make that journey.  I hold my head up, as opposed to looking at the ground, and I smile.  It is amazing how many people smile back (maybe they are thinking, ‘Who is this crazy woman?’).  One Friday, a lady stopped me and asked, ‘Do I know you?’ ‘No’ I replied.  ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘I thought you must know me because you smile at me every week as we pass each other!’

And it is a fact.  Smiles breed smiles! Truly, the world seems to be a nicer place when faces carry smiling eyes and lips – and it is an excellent way to make new friends.

So, like the little charmers at Little Dragons, who share their smiles so readily, why not try it yourself; definitely making the days seem brighter (and it makes the face look younger!!!!!!!!).

Every good wish, and big smiles from George, Uncle Sam and Idris!

                           Val Butterworth

P.S.        Best wishes, George, Uncle Sam and Idris.