An Undeserved Punishment.
It was a Monday in January 1969; a windless sunny day and we were on the beach. I was almost 17, have just passed the 11th grade and would start my final year in school in a week or two. The tourist season was at an end and the beach was fairly quiet.It was my mother, my father, my two brothers, my sister and I. Also with us was my father’s best friend, our local preacher man with his wife, two sons and a daughter.
We were all sitting under beach umbrellas while my mother dished up food that came with the picnic basket. The stage was set for the disaster about to come.
Along came a man, visibly drunk, carrying a gallon of cheap wine. He was followed by a woman carrying picnic basket. Next came a string of 8 children, ranging from about 16 to 5 in age, each one carrying something. The man pointed to a spot right next to us and declared that they will sit right there. Every second word started with a capital ‘F’.
The man got talkative and asked my father if he was on leave for being able to relax on the beach on a Monday. My father confirmed that he was on leave.
And you, big man, the man said to our preacher, who must have had a good physique before his stomach ran off for a career of its own. Are you also on leave or did you book off sick for the day? Note that the F-words were still used very lavishly.
No, said our preacher, I don’t work on Mondays, it is my day off.
That is funny, he said, my day off is on a Sunday.
No, our preacher replied, on Sundays I work full time.
The man looked at our preacher with real incredibility in his eyes. F*ck, he said with disgust, but you’re working for a shit boss.
I started laughing uncontrollably and so did all the other kids. Eventually I left my food and went into the water, still laughing and within a minute I was joined by the preacher’s eldest son. Every time we looked at each other, we started laughing again.
That night, about five weeks before my 17th birthday, we had another kitchen table trial. The charge? Being a bad example. My father ruled that I was not too old for a hiding and afterwards, while I stood in my bedroom rubbing my stinging backside, I was still laughing. I daresay, my last hiding was about the only one I did not deserve.
Enjoy this day and remember, Tuesday's child is full of grace.
Comments (37)
Aaahhh...so cute the story. Thanks again Catfoot
The more I read ,the more I laughing...
The drunk man with his wife and their 8 kids followed sounds like "an army of penguins paraded along the beach". and what they carried one by one I just wonder?
The conversations are also funny...
Oh, it's time for me to sleep now.
Thanks for making me happy and enjoy your day !
Yes, I found it funny too and paid the price for it. Actually my father made a very good case of it. He explained that if I did not behave so bad, they could have explained to the man that our preacher worked for the best Boss in the universe.
I can assure you that my posterior end did not find it interesting at all.
Independence day? I don't know your history at all and thought Norway was always independent. I will have to do some reading on it.
Although I also use a curse here and there I keep it below the clouds and above the belt and NEVER in front of children or ladies.
He did ask them more than once and I guess they had it coming to them.
You want to kiss my WHAT?
Friday's Child is loving and giving.
My mother was too busy during the week. I was born on a Saturday.
Saturday's Child works hard for a living.
Yes, they looked very much like a set of organ pipes.
Hmm, It is a very well known poem. I based a blog on it some months ago. I think everybody in the West knows it. For a moments I forgot that we have different cultures here.
Congratulations Norway!
See, contrary to popular believe there are thing I don't know.
I'm sure He had a good giggle about it too.
Sorry for laughing but it is too funny. not too sure if the punishment was undeserved you did start the ball rolling.
So you think I deserved it. Good to now who my allies are.
I could have done with a bit of sympathy.
You know how sensitive I am.
Now please note I am always on your side but I am honest too
Hi how are you?
Yes, I can still remember how quiet you used to sit in the front row of the Sunday school; and how neatly your hair was combed. You had more then.
I thought honest meant to agree with me.
LOL.... Really? nope but I am on your side always
Hi Shay, I'm fine, how's you
Methinks you have lots of support already so mine won't be missed.
I am okay.. Fighting a cold and working hard. but will be on leave soon.
that boy looked just like you.
No imagining here. but if you are sensitive about going to Sunday school, I will keep it as a secret.
I would seem that you have made your mind up about it. So I will have to put it in my pipe and smoke it.
Just remember I will always your back
Anyway, going to Lala Land now.
I saw school as a minor inconvenience but liked in general. I seldom bunked school.