Bored. Listless. A general sense of been there, done that. When every fiber of you wants to escape the dreadful slowness of this day. And when there seems like there is nothing beyond this boredom–sometimes fate chides in with just the right touch to lighten the occasion.
“Daddy Fell into the Pond”
by Alfred Noyes
Everyone grumbled. The sky was grey.
We had nothing to do and nothing to say.
We were nearing the end of a dismal day,
And there seemed to be nothing beyond,
THEN
Daddy fell into the pond!
And everyone’s face grew merry and bright,
And Timothy danced for sheer delight.
“Give me the camera, quick, oh quick!
He’s crawling out of the duckweed.”
Click!
Then the gardener suddenly slapped his knee,
And doubled up, shaking silently,
And the ducks all quacked as if they were daft
And it sounded as if the old drake laughed.
O, there wasn’t a thing that didn’t respond
WHEN
Daddy fell into the pond!
“Daddy Fell into the Pond” is an incredibly infectious narrative poem of how dull boring family gatherings can become suddenly full of excitement. You can not plan fun into every day. It is more elusive than just leaving the house. This family seems to be utterly incapable of escaping the boredom they are faced with– WHEN– suddenly fate throws a cog in the wheel for some gut busting laughter at poor Dad’s expense.