How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger

Author:Joan Bodger [Bodger, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7710-1295-2
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
Published: 2009-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

These particular chimpanzees began seriously enough. Tea time in Britain is as fraught with significance as any Zen ceremony, and a reverent hush fell over the audience as the first decorous cup was poured. There followed a second cup, but by this time enthusiasm began to overflow. There followed a third and fourth cup in rapid succession, with more and more tea being slopped over the little table.

An anxious, puzzled look spread over the countenance of the two apes. One of them lifted the lid of the teapot and peered in, as if to see what was causing the leakage. In doing so, he tipped the pot so that more tea spilled out. His friend turned and leered at the audience. Lucy shrieked with laughter. Ian, beside me, was laughing uncontrollably and John suddenly came out with a loud Haw-haw-haw. I looked about us and noticed the other families nearby. Some of the grownups were smiling politely, but the children – all those Christopher Robins and prim Alices – looked as tense and grave and anxious as the chimpanzees.

The little girl next to Ian had her hand clutched in a fist, the knuckles up to her teeth. She looked as though she did not know whether to laugh or cry. Suddenly one of the apes reached over and poured a cup of tea on the head of his fellow guest. A gasp – almost a groan – rippled through the crowd, then the second monkey retaliated. A few smiles appeared. After all, this was fair play! The little girl next to Ian took her hand from her mouth and craned to get a better look. The party was growing wilder. With the next peal of laughter from Ian she joined in. All around the ring, in wider and wider circles, the ripple of laughter grew. It was all right to laugh! It was permitted to laugh! It was proper to laugh!

And they danced and they sang, and each visitor’s attitude

Was his very best way of expressing his gratitude

To Johnny Crow and his garden.

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