Travels With Uncle Chet: Searching for ingredients that make a great leader

COLUMBUS _ ``Who’s the world’s greatest leader?’’ asked the little miscreant, who was at the kitchen table doing her homework.

``Now, or ever?’’ asked Hon, at the stove, making blueberry pancakes.

``Now, I think. It says: `Write a 300-word essay on the topic `Who is the world’s greatest leader?’ Defend your choice with information from at least three sources.’’’

"Well, you’re in luck with sources,’’ said Uncle Chet, who was setting up Buddy’s train set on the living room floor. ``You’ve got four right here.’’

``I think I’m in trouble,’’ the eighth-grader said.

``You are,’’ said Hon, spatula in hand, ``but it’s mostly a writing assignment.’’

The aroma of coffee wafted from the stove, mingling with the scent of wood smoke on this Saturday morning. Uncle Chet and Alice had come over to breakfast, and soon the six of us would be going to her and my 35th college reunion.

``Do you think I should say President Bush?’’ our scholar asked.

``Are you kidding?’’ I called from the bedroom, where I was laying a wood floor.[an error occurred while processing this directive]