The world’s most recognizable clown usually hangs out with Hamburgler, Mayor McCheese and Grimace.

But on Friday, Ronald McDonald decided to make a stop to hang out with kids at Natcher Elementary School to show them it’s what’s “On the Inside” that counts.

Kali Starr, Ronald McDonald program manager, said the visit was by the national Ronald McDonald who travels across the country to make select appearances – such as his surprise stop to the McDonald’s restaurant on Scottsville Road.

Susan Tabor, family resource coordinator at Natcher, said local restaurant owners Paul and Alex Burrell nominated the school for the special one-hour show, which taught nearly 300 kindergarten through third-graders the importance of character.

Welcomed by a gymnasium full of screams, the red-headed restaurant symbol ran into the room “looking for a package.”

“I love to get packages,” he said. “Good things come in small packages – like kindergartners … Maybe it will have bows and fancy ribbon … but I’m just going to open it up because I care about what’s on the inside.”

The first Ronald McDonald appeared in 1966 during national TV commercials where he was shown arriving on his “flying hamburger.” After his first public exposure during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 1966, “Ronald was an instant hit,” according to the company’s Web site.

The one-and-only national clown, not to be confused with those who dress up as Ronald for different regions, was just as big of a hit at Natcher.

With music and magic, he explained the importance of trustworthiness, responsibility, respect and fairness that goes to make good friends and characters.

Five-year-old Logan Graham was selected to help the clown demonstrate his “can do” attitude. Logan told Ronald he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up, and with a little “magic,” Ronald unfolded a scroll with a fireman’s attire on it and held it in front of the future firefighter.

Logan said he has seen photos of the clown at the restaurant but never thought he would get to meet him in “real life.”

“I was so excited, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Logan said.

Each child and teacher who was selected for the show received an award, which 8-year-old Hattie Byrd said she will hang proudly in her locker.

“It was really cool,” she said. “I saw my little brother and he kept waving to me from the audience. When I found out (Ronald) was coming, I was excited, but I had no clue I would be one of the volunteers picked.”

Tabor said she thinks students learned a lot about character as it came from one of their favorite characters.

“I think they grasped the concept of responsibility and character for their age level,” she said. “We’re just so happy to have Ronald McDonald here as the spokesman for “On the Inside.’ ”