Random reminder

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 33

Random reminder

ANYTHING \OU CAN DO

It is awkward explaining to a child why nature snuuld encourage poor lit::e worms to wriggle their wav out of the sodden soil for hungry birds t . suck them up like pieces of spaghetti. We would not like it if we were a worm: nor if we. were a starving bird, would we appreciate' nature warning all the lush juicy worms that it was a sin to poke even I thei- noses out of the| ground or to make the slightest sound down-| stairs when any sort of; bird is hungrily hopping: about upstairs. But some folk find it, easie: to discuss the birds" and the worms with their'

offspring than to dwell on the pleasanter habits of the birds and the bees. Sex can be a touchy subject but we should not look down our respectable noses at it for without sex not one of us would have a respectable nose to look down: and even though the odd per- : son may be unhappy about the size or shape of his proboscis, it is generally agreed that almost any nose is better than no nose at all. Which informative dissertation brings us. at last, to today’s story in which ficticious names have! been used to protect the 1 innocent. The scene: Aunt Marga-|

ret, mother and father sitting round roaring log fire, young son apparently absorbed in game of patience on the carpet nearby. Aunt Margaret: “When is Pat and John’s baby expected?” Mother: “Not till November.” Father, referring to his favourite nephew whose wife is also expecting: “By the way, when is Charles’s baby due?” Young son, looking up from his cards in greatly concerned manner: “Gosh, can men have babies; now?”