Back in the late 1970's, I was introduced to the Wolf Cub (Scouting) movement. I happily went to the evening meetings in the basement of Resurrection of Our Lord Church. These evenings included ceremonies handed down through the Handbook and commentary by the Pack Leaders. 
As I recall the Wolf Cub Promise:
On my honour I promise that---I will do my duty to God and the Queen.I will do my best to help others, whatever it costs me.
I know the scout law, and will obey it
And along with the Wolf Cub promise, there was the ritual "We - Dyb-Dyb-Dyb-Dyb!" and "We Dob-Dob-Dob-Dob!"
So how do the Apples come in? Well, during the Fall Season, the Wolf Pack would be provided with a harvest of Apples which would be sold door to door (or at the local Shopping Mall - like Elmvale Acres). The Macintosh Apples would sell from between .50 cents to $1.00 and it would be the task of the Wolf Cubs to sell the apples both door-to-door and at events scheduled on the weekend. The money raised would help finance the Spring Camping trip.
Initially, I was apprehensive in approaching the houses in the neighbourhood as I did not know what would happen after I rang the doorbell. What would I say? We did have a script to follow -but holding the paper in my hand, crumpled it too much to be able to read it.
I also pictured myself being shooed away from the doorway - all the while being asked why I was bothering them to buy such a pithy object as an apple. Moreover, wondering if people would be disappointed that I wasn't the paperboy collecting money for the Ottawa Citizen or the Ottawa Journal.
Thankfully this was not the case.
So on cool evenings of the Fall - with the Fall smells in the air - my memories are still vivid of walking around the neighbourhood carrying a small basket of Macintosh Apples. To my astonishment, my interruption of my neighbour's evening with the request to purchase an apple was met with smiles and "... honey, can you fetch me my purse (or wallet) ..." It was my first introduction of kindness of neighbours. I am thankful that many of my neighbours obliged my simple sale's request.
These days I'm on the look out for the current young beavers and cubs and their baskets. And I make sure I have change for their very persuasive sales pitch.
