Haile entertains all ages with stories, music
Lee Haile holds a captive audience thanks to his performance and the assistance of Aiden. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
As a part of their ongoing series, the Bandera Natural History Museum brought in longtime Tarpley resident Lee Haile to add a humorous, entertaining bent to their programs. Haile, a long time Tarpley resident and local raconteur, always brings smiles to young and old during his performances.
Settled in on the outdoor patio at the museum, Haile introduced himself to the parents and youngsters in the crowd. His folksy humor and good nature put everyone at ease.
He started the afternoon with a tall tale about taming a rattlesnake. As he got deeper into the story, the children’s eyes got bigger as he recounted the details. At the end, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Haile finished the tale.
A tongue twister was next on the agenda as Haile told the tale of Little Larry Lizard and his gal pal Linda Lou Lizard.
As the story went on, it capitalized on adding more words beginning with the letter “L.” Haile adeptly told the story without a slip, an almost impossible task. At the end of the story, Larry saves Linda Lou and all is well.
The most popular story of the day was the story of “Polecat Stew.”
As the audience sang along with the refrain, it was evident Haile had weaved a story using Hill Country animals into a tale of humor as they tried to save their friend the polecat.
When Haile picked up his guitar and harmonica, he played popular folk favorites for the audience. As the group sang along with Haile, the toe tapping increased, and the children swayed with the music. The group clearly enjoyed the tunes and Haile’s outrageous Texas tall tales.
The afternoon ended all too soon and the children went along with their parents humming “Oh, Susanna” and thinking about the wild stories of taming rattlesnakes for pets.
Haile’s jovial demeanor and storytelling talent brought a lighthearted lift to everyone’s spirits.
On Saturday, June 25, the Museum will host State Park Ranger Arlyne Martinez, who will present a program on butterflies.
For more information about the Bandera Natural History Museum, go to www.banderanhm.org