What are Big Sisters for. 
by M. C. 
Cathy  'explains' to the boys in the weightroom that girls need to be strong too. 

Cathy had just finished her daily run around the park. As she neared her 
home the sixteen - year old athlete saw her twelve - year old 
sister,  Susan, sitting on the poarch with Jenny, her friend.  Both girls 
looked depressed. "What's the matter guys ", Cathy asked as she sat down 
next to them.  "It's not fair ", Susan said, dejectedly. "What's not fair ? 
", Cathy asked. "The way the boys in the park's weightroom won't let us 
work out ".  "Why not ?" Susan fought back her tears and said,  "they told 
us that girls didn't have to be strong - just pretty ". "Oh they did, did 
they ?"Cathy remarked. "It looks like I'll have to have a little 'talk' 
with them ". Susan perked up when she heard this. "Could you, would you? "  
"Of course I can ", Cathy said as she playfully shook her sisters 
head, "what are big sisters for ?"The three of them got up from the 
poarch and began walking towards the park.  

As they approached the weightroom Cathy turned to the two girls and 
said, "you guys wait out here while I deal with them - this shouldn't 
take too long ". As she walked towards the doorway, Jenny called out , "be 
careful, Cathy - those boys looked awfully mean ". Cathy smiled at 
her, "thanks for the warning Jenny - I'll try to be careful ". She looked 
at Susan, winked, and went inside. Jenny turned to Susan and said,  
"Gosh, your sister sure is brave".  "I know ",  Susan responded, then added 
"just like I'll be in a few years ".  

As Susan and Jenny waited outside they suddenly heard fighting sounds 
coming from inside the weightroom.  "POW, WHAM, SMASH, WHACK, PUNCH " A large 
boy , about 16 or 17-years old,  came flying out.  He landed on the 
grass, rolled over a few times, then lay still. Susan held up one of her 
fingers.  "One", she said.  "PUNCH, CRACK, SLAM, POW , SOCK ". Another boy flew 
out and landed next to the first .  "Two ", Susan said - giggleing this 
time.  "CRASH, POW, CRUNCH, WHACK, SLAM ". Yet another sailed out and landed 
on top of his friends.  Susan held up her third finger and smiled at 
Jenny.  In addition to fighting sounds now the girls began to hear cries 
and pleading. "Please don't hit us anymore, we're sorry, your hurting 
us, PLEASE STOP !!!!! "PUNCH, WHAM, SOCK, POW ". A fourth boy was added to 
the pile.  "Four "- Jenny said it this time.  "I'm sorry, we didn't mean 
it, they can use the weightroom whenever they like, please don't hit me ".  
"WHACK, SLAM, CRACK, PUNCH". The last boy flew out and landed -
well. . . . . . . you know where.  Susan and Jenny both held up their 
hand, slapped them together and said "Five".  

Cathy appeared at the doorway, smiling - she didn't have a mark or 
scratch on her.  " It's O. K.  girls - you can use the weightroom whenever 
you want to. The matter has been settled ".  Susan and Jenny walked past 
the pile of battered boys and entered the weightroom.  As they passed 
Cathy, Susan looked up at her, smiled and said "thanks sis ".  Cathy 
playfully tweeked Susan's nose.  "Don't mention it - what are big sisters 
for ? "