By Harold Keller

Last week, I had a voice message from a man who identified himself as Michael Smith from Baton Rouge.  He wanted to know how I was and asked that I return his call.

When I called him, he wanted to know if I remembered him – “The Toothpick Man.”  That rang a bell.  I recalled meeting a young black man, years ago, at a drug treatment center that spent his spare time making things with toothpicks.

“Michael,” I said, “it’s been a long time.”  “It sure has,” he responded.  “In fact, February 26 made 13 years that I’ve been free of drugs.”  He then reminded me that about nine years ago I visited him at a halfway house in Baton Rouge to view an exhibit of his work with toothpicks.  

“What have you been doing with yourself?” I asked.  He told me that last year he was asked to go to China and do a workshop on toothpick art.  I was curious to know how the people in China heard about him.

“Well, Mr. Keller,” he said, “it took me three years and over three million toothpicks to make an alligator 5’4” long, which weighs over 300 pounds.  I put this on my website and the Guinness Book of Records now has me in its 2007 issue.”  As he spoke, I was in awe of what God was doing in Michael’s life.

I then recalled a saxophone he made out of toothpicks that you could actually blow.  “I sold that to a musician in New Orleans for $4,000,” he said.  

“What are you going to do with the alligator?” I asked.  

“Ripley’s Believe It  or Not offered me $175,000 for it, but they will have to come closer to a million dollars before I decide to sell three years of my work,” he answered.  

“Sounds like you have had an exciting life,” I continued.  

“Mr. Keller, I really have,” he replied, “but one of the most rewarding experiences I have is volunteering at the Louisiana New School Academy five days a week.  I teach toothpick art at this alternative school and have a chance to talk to some young troubled kids about the evils of drug use.”  It was evident that Michael Smith’s life is fulfilling.

Michael, unlike most people, has found his purpose in life and won’t take the treasured gift that God gave him to the cemetery.  He has used the unique qualities which God blessed him with to bless other people.  

Crossing paths with Michael during my lifetime has been an exciting experience.

If you have any question, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.