A Hazy Memory of an Uncle’s Trick

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 17 Oct 2023
  • 993 reads
13 comments
 

His father made him a wooden box
(– I think the making gave him pleasure),
for his father taught in a boarding school
where each boy had a box for ‘tuck’ and treasure.

It had a padlock and a key
(or was it a combination lock?).
He took it up for his gran to see,
and his uncle played a trick.

His uncle said he could, with ease
open and remove something.
(Just why do uncles love to tease?)
So the boy went out ‘til called back in.

It had been done – he showed how he did
– he’d a screwdriver in his pocket!
the hinges or lock-base unscrewed, so the lid
was lifted – no need to unlock it!

… and. of course, before the little boy came in, the lid replaced looking as if nothing had happened!

[IP:  a mystery trunk, plus a key. Write what happens next]

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Drama
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Oh no! Was your father upset, or just intrigued at how he'd done it

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oh, the trick was on our son, who was only about 8, but he kept placid, but had been so proud it had a lock! I expect his father was just bemused. It wasn't necessary for it to be super-secure! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

ah- sorry thought it was your father when a child. Boys do like locks. I knew one once who asked for a bicycle lock for Christmas - he didn't have a bicycle, he just wanted an impressive looking lock

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

! smiley I can just imagine that. Youngsters always surprising us with their complicated thinkings! Rh

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

I used to admire those bicycle locks too with the chain buried in some trendy looking plastic tubing. I can just imagine an uncle indulging in a trick like this, they certainly do 'love to tease', it's their job.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thanks. I think it was a lesson to the little boy not to get too readily fazed by a challenge he didn't yet understand! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"..where each boy had a box for ‘tuck’ and treasure."

Intrigue and mischief. A naughty uncle's trick and a charming tale. Enjoyed, Rhiannon. Paul :)

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Paul. I'm glad you enjoyed the little tale! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

A tuckbox in boarding schools was  box for storing eatables, etc other things probably, a personal place. Rh

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Nice poem! Nice story!

But did his uncle always carry a screwdriver in his pocket? It sounds to me like it may have been a bit uncomfortable.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

! I don't know, it  happened about 40 years ago ! But there are those littel screwdrivers you know, for little screws! Thanks for reading. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Got you! The sort you get in Christmas crackers. laugh

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

or on a Swiss Army Knife? ! Rh