RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 21

RANDOM REMINDER

TIT FOR TAT

Getting one’s own back as some sort of retaliatory gesture for a slight inflicted, either real or imaginary, is an inborn trait The very thought of it is often repressed at the time, and most people are inclined to mentally rebuke themselves for giving the idea even passing attention. No - one, it seems, has ever given valid reasons why a worm should turn. Probably because of an acceptance of the fact that they are the same on both sides. But turn, they do. A North Island woman found herself increasingly annoyed with the suburban butcher whom she patronised—until recently. She had long sus*

pected that his hands were getting in the weigh, and was given positive proof of it when her last order was delivered. It included Jib of topside steak and was charged to her on the docket as 11b. She picked up the small portion of meat — which fitted into the palm of her hand, and weighed it on her kitchen scales. It registered soz. She returned the entire order, with a terse covering note, suggesting that he should attend night school to brush up on nis arithmetic and not send further samples of meat to her—ever.

But some people, it seems, wait a lifetime to turn the tables. As for

instance, the case of the Australian farmer asked to sell a pedigree cow to his local garage proprietor. The man of the land had been plagued over the years by receiving accounts from him itemised down to the most minor detail and worth, in many instances, only a cent or two. He rendered his own account for the transaction as follows: Basic cow, $200; two - tone exterior, $45; extra stomachs, $75; product storage compartment, $6O; dispensing device, four taps at $lO each, $4O; genuine cowhide upholstery, $125; dual boms, $l5; automatic fly swatter, $35. Total $595.