RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 22

RANDOM REMINDER

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

The most enjoyable part of a father-son relationship does not last long. This is the period when a small boy believes his father must have been the fastest bowler, the biggest hitter, the best wing threequarter, the most dynamic golfer, and the cleverest man in the world. It is brief enchantment: the boy grows up and learns better. But while it lasts, it is highly flattering for the

father. On the other hand, he needs to spare his son disillusionment as long as possible. So the man we know who recently took his 10-year-old down to the Waitaki for some fishing made his preparations carefully, checking all the tackle and technique before they left. They spent almost a whole day wading about the icy waters of the Waitaki, and neither of them, notwithstanding the most diligent application, was able to land anything at

all. The boy was disappointed that he had not caught a fish. It was also obvious that his father's lack of success had brought back to mind stories he had heard about there being no Father Christmas. In compensation for this lack of success, he was allowed to go that evening to a fair. The inevitable happened: being a true little Kiwi, he had a go at the wheel of fortune, and won. His prize? Four fine, fat cod.