Kids will be kids. The common lament usually is invoked to rationalize less-than-preferred behavior of some kind.

But there are enough instances of responsible, thoughtful and generous acts by children to reaffirm our collective faith in yet another upcoming generation.

Such an occurrence took place in Hays over the Memorial Day weekend. Troy and Denise Weigel were hosting this year's family reunion which, if not for the actions of a 10-year-old relative, could have ended in disaster.

It began when 3-year-old Lindsey Marchbanks attempted to grab a toy out of a children's pool set up at the Weigels. Little Lindsey ended up falling face-first into the water and getting stuck -- out of sight of the adults.

Fortunately for her, cousin Kane Schumacher happened by. The 10-year-old boy pulled Lindsey out of the pool, then performed CPR upon noticing she wasn't breathing. By the time she was released from the Hays Medical Center later that day, it was apparent she was in fine shape.

The Great Bend boy saved Lindsey's life.

"I knew I had to do something," Kane said at this week's annual board meeting for the Ellis County Red Cross. He was invited to attend in order to receive an "Extraordinary Personal Action" award from the local non-profit organization. The self-proclaimed aspiring EMT also received worthy praise of safety officials and family members, including grandparents Mary and Randall Braden, Hay, and Jim and Geneva Schumacher, Russell.

Kane's heroic efforts reflect well on his instinct and attentiveness, but likely just as much on his upbringing by his family. While any number of lessons can be taken from this act, we'd like to think the most important is that childhood does not have to equate merely with self-centered pursuits.

We believe Lindsey and her family will be forever grateful for Kane's selfless act. We're pleased to report if this is indicative of how kids behave, the world is in fine shape.

Editorial by Patrick Lowry

plowry@dailynews.net