"Gotta problem?" Ryan asked as Austin missed the third shot in a row.

"I just don't get my dad sometimes," Austin harrumphed. "I said I'd mow the lawn while he was out of town -- and I did. But he jumped all over me because I did it this morning, right before he came home. He wanted me to do it the day he left."

"Sounds like your dad is a Lion," laughed Ryan.

"A lion? Well, he bit my head off."

"No. No. Remember the video we saw at youth group?"

"Oh yeah! Lions. Lions think people should 'do it now and do it my way!' That's so my dad!"

"Dealing with Lions is worse for you, Austin, because you're a Golden Retriever. You're sensitive, but you're a good listener and always careful with other people's feelings. Chicks love that about you."

"Yeah, right!" snorted Austin. "I wish I were more like you, Ryan. You're a party waiting to happen, and you can blow off things that would really bug me. What animal are you?"

"I'm an Otter. I love to play -- and have lots of friends. The youth group material said we're 'energetic and creative.' I like that. 'Energetic and creative.' 'Cept it bugs my parents. They're always on me about not taking life more seriously."

"That's gotta include your homework."

"Yup! Big time."

"Weren't there four types of people?"

"Yeah. Beavers. My sister is a Beaver. Suzy, Little-Miss-Perfection. She likes everything to be flawless. She studies all night, organizes everything -- including her sock drawer. She drives me nuts!"

"I guess even good qualities can have a downside. My mom is a Golden Retriever, like me. We're pretty calm and easy going, but it takes a lot to motivate us and get us to make decisions. Her motto is, 'Lets keep things the way they are.' I think if it wasn't for Dad, we'd never get anything done. Lions do make good leaders. They know how to make things happen. Just don't let them bite you."

"I guess being a Beaver like Suzy isn't always so great either. She gets really down on herself sometimes. My mom keeps telling her that Jesus was perfect so she doesn't have to be. I'm not sure she's ready to buy that."

"I guess I remember more from that video than I thought. It's neat that God created all of us with different gifts. Like a body with millions of parts all working together."

"So we should appreciate each other's differences. Even Lions."

"And Beavers."

"Not if any of those Beavers are my sister."

"Betcha can't hit three free-throws in a row, Mr-Party-Animal."

"Betcha it doesn't bother me if I don't."

Adapted from the video: "Discovering Your Personality Strengths by Gary Smalley and John Trent.

Linda Reed is a personal therapist in private practice in Milwaukee, WI.