My Book of Indoor Games Part 14

When are two apples alike? When pared.

What is the difference between a blind man and a sailor in prison? One cannot see to go and the other cannot go to sea.

Why is a plum cake like the ocean? Because it contains so many currants.

What pudding makes the best cricketer? A good batter.

When is a sailor not a sailor? When he's a-board.

Why is the snow different from Sunday? Because it can fall on any day in the week.

What trade would you mention to a short boy? Grow sir (grocer).

What tree is nearest the sea? The beech.

Why is a game of cards like a timber yard? Because there are always a great many deals in it.

Why is a tight boot like an oak tree? Because it produces a corn (acorn).

Why is a city in Ireland likely to be the largest city in the world?

Because each year it is Dublin (doubling).

What is the easiest way to swallow a door? Bolt it.

Why is a dancing master like a tree? Because of his bows (boughs).

Name a word of five letters from which if you take two but "one"

remains. Stone.

Why is A like twelve o'clock? It is the middle of "day"

When is a man thinner than a lath? When he is a-shaving.

THOUGHT READING

This is a very good game, which always causes considerable amus.e.m.e.nt, and if skillfully carried out will very successfully mystify the whole company.

It is necessary that the player who is to take the part of thought-reader should have a confederate, and the game is then played as follows:

The thought-reader, having arranged that the confederate should write a certain word, commences by asking four members of the company to write each a word upon a piece of paper, fold it up in such a manner that it cannot be seen, and then to pa.s.s it on to him. The confederate, of course, volunteers to make one of the four, and writes the word previously agreed upon, which is, we will suppose, "Ohio."

The thought-reader places the slips of paper between his fingers, taking care to put the paper of his confederate between the third and little finger; he then takes the folded paper from between his thumb and first finger and rubs it, folded as it is, over his forehead, at each rub mentioning a letter, as O, rub, H, rub, I O, after which he calls out that some lady or gentleman has written "Ohio." "I did,"

replies the confederate.

The thought-reader then opens the paper, looks at it, and slips it into his pocket; he has, however, looked at one of the other papers.

Consequently he is now in a position to spell another word, which he proceeds to do in the same manner, and thus the game goes on until all the papers have been read.

THE CUSHION DANCE

The children first of all divide themselves into two parties. They then form a ring, and commence dancing round a ha.s.sock which is placed, end upward, in the middle of the room. Suddenly one party endeavors to pull the other party forward, so as to force one of their number to kick the ha.s.sock and upset it.

The player who has been unfortunate enough to touch the ha.s.sock has then to leave the circle. The game proceeds until only two remain; if these two happen to be boys, the struggle is generally prolonged, as they can so easily jump over the ha.s.sock, and avoid kicking it.

THE FARMYARD

This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amus.e.m.e.nt. One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possible. Instead, however, of giving the name of an animal to each, he whispers to all the company, with the exception of one, to keep perfectly silent. To this one he whispers that the animal he is to imitate is the donkey. After a short time, so that all may be in readiness, the signal is given. Instead of all the party making the sounds of various animals, nothing is heard but a loud bray from the one unfortunate member of the company.

"I POINT"

It is necessary in this game for the player acting the part of guesser to have a confederate; he is then able to leave the room, and on his return to mention what person was pointed at during his absence. It is done in this way: It is agreed between the guesser and his confederate that whoever speaks last before the door is closed upon the guesser shall be the person who is to be pointed at. It is very seldom that any one discovers this trick.

DIAMOND RING

The players sit in a circle with their hands placed palm to palm, the little fingers downward, between the knees. One of the company is chosen to act the part of maid. She takes a ring between her palms, which she keeps flat together in the same way as the rest. She then visits each person in turn and places her hands between the palms of each, so that she is able to slip the ring into some one's hands without the others knowing. When she has visited each, she touches one child, and says:

"My lady's lost her diamond ring; I fix upon you to find it."

The child touched must then guess who has the ring. If she guess correctly, she becomes the maid; if not, she must pay a forfeit. The maid then touches some one else and repeats the two lines given above.

Each guesser may be allowed three trials.

THE FORBIDDEN LETTER

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon.

Supposing, for instance, the letter "f" is not to be introduced; the first player might ask: "Is this a new game to you?" The second player could answer: "Oh, no! I played it years ago when quite a youngster."

He would perhaps turn to the third player, and ask: "You remember it, do you not?" The third player might answer: "Yes; but we used to play it differently." This player, having used a word with an "f" in it, must pay a forfeit and remain out.

The answers must be given at once, without hesitation, and the player who avoids for the greatest length of time using a word containing the forbidden letter wins the game.

GRAND MUFTI

One of the company is chosen as Grand Mufti. The others then form a circle with the Grand Mufti in the center, and every action which he performs, if preceded by the words, "Thus says the Grand Mufti," must be imitated by every member of the circle.

The Grand Mufti, in order to lead one of the company astray, will sometimes omit to say the words: "Thus says the Grand Mufti;" in this case, if any member of the company imitate his action, he is compelled to pay a forfeit.