Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Sign

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, Good Middle-of-the-Night—whenever you're reading this, I wish goodness upon you!

I'm going to post twice a week for now instead of three. I love summer! And I'm freaking out because we're so deep into June, and I want to enjoy more of these splendid days with my kids before they're gone. Poof!

So Terrific Thursday to you!



I was reading in this great old book from 1908, Smiling 'Round The World by Marshall P. Wilder, about his travels. He recounted this experience of a Japanese boy:

A young Japanese student, living in London, was so unfortunate as to be located in an apartment house where the janitor did not keep the hall in good condition. It offered a great contrast to his own spotless home in Japan and the young man felt it keenly. On the approach of winter the janitor put up a notice in the entrance. "Please wipe your feet." The young student, the first night he observed this notice, took out a pencil and added, "On going out."


The boy's response to the sign made me laugh. I admired his spunk in letting his opinion be known, and the cleverness of his message. He didn't go yell at the janitor or owner of the apartments, but his message came across loud and clear with a few simple words.

Have you ever seen a sign that caught you off guard and made you laugh? Have you witnessed someone send a clear message with a few great words? Have you done it? 




Here's a photo the author took during his travels in Japan. Maybe this is what the student in the story was like when he was a small boy with his mother.

Hey everyone—Smile! And have a Wonderful Weekend! 

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Very funny! Here's something not so funny--sometimes I could hang that sign at the exit of my house #inneedofmaid

Chatty Crone said...

I enjoyed the post - good thinking on his part!

Have a nice weekend too!

Donna K. Weaver said...

What a fun story. And good for the boy in handling it so well.

Amy said...

Great story, and thank you for sharing! Have a good weekend Brenda! :)

Angie said...

That is a cute story. I know what you mean about summer. It's going by so fast!

Beverly Diehl said...

A-Zr hre from the Warrior Muse - what a fun story to share. Thanks!

Hogan's Hero's Swim School said...

Of course you get the 6 extra points!!!thanks for playing

Peaches Ledwidge said...

A good story. I've seen many signs that I could write about. Can't think of any now.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

I need to follow your example and blog less! it takes up so much time!

Brenda Sills said...

WHOA! I'm SO happy for your comments! Thank you!

BECKY - Oh, Becky, Becky, Becky - how sadly true that we might need to use such a sign ourselves. I always make myself feel better by my awesome epiphany that us creative types get more leeway in the cleaning department. Besides, summer=kids=popsicles=stickiness on the dern floor! Oh how I would love to have enough moolah to hire a maid!

CHATTY CRONE - Thanks for enjoying my post! You're awesome!

DONNA - I often think of doing things like he did, but I procrastinate and let the glorious opportunity pass by! Never again, I tell you! I swear allegiance to my goal! - unless something sends me on another tangent.

AMY - Thank you for thanking me for sharing! I had a great time when I found that story - I'm so glad you liked it too. Thanks for your wishes for a good weekend! - You have one too!

ANGIE - Thanks for enjoying my story. Ah, sweet summer, don't pass by so cruelly, so fast and swift, or I shall weep into my ice cream, ruining it in my sorrow.

BEVERLY - Thank YOU! I'm so glad you enjoyed my story - I love things that catch me off guard and make me laugh. I'm so happy you visited my blog! And hey, I love your name - people have called me Beverly a lot over the years because my last name is Sills and they get me confused with the opera singer Beverly Sills - not because of my masterful singing, but on account of our similar names!

CINDY - I enjoyed being a part of your blog party for your book! I'm so happy for you!

PEACHES - That's EXACTLY how I am - I can't think of things when I want to and it drives me crazy wishing I could remember because there are so many fantastic things to remember out there! Thanks for enjoying my story!

TAMARA - I can't believe what a difference it's made to blog twice a week compared to three. WAY less time consuming for some reason. Try it, you'll like it!

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