“It seems that if
Elders can feel that you are open to learning, they are more than generous with
their teaching."
Leonard
George Chief Councilor
They
came in and began to give me instruction in the program that later became known
as Alcoholics Anonymous. There was not much of it at that time.
I
looked up and there were two great big fellows over six-foot tall, very likable
looking. (I knew afterwards that the two who came in were Bill W. and Doctor
Bob.) Before very long we began to relate some incidents of our drinking, and
pretty soon I realized that both of them knew what they were talking about,
because you can see things and smell things when you're drunk that you can't
other times. If I had thought they didn't know what they were talking about, I
wouldn't have been willing to talk to them at all.
After
a while, Bill said, "Well, now, you've been talking a good long time, let
me talk a minute or two." So, after hearing some more of my story, he
turned around and said to Doc--I don't think he knew I heard him, but I did--he
said, "Well, I believe he's worth saving and working on." They
said to me, "Do you want to quit drinking? It's none of our business about
your drinking. We're not up here trying to take any of your rights or privileges
away from you, but we have a program whereby we think we can stay sober. Part
of that program is that we take it to someone else who needs it and wants it.
Now, if you don't want it, we'll not take up your time, and we'll be going and
looking for someone else."
Big
Book pgs. 185 & 186
Grandfather
may I recognize the teachers.