BEING KIND can be KINDA FUNNY

 I was watching the 7am TV news, when a moving shape outside our Hamilton home lounge caught my eye. A hooded figure came into view. He was struggling to lift two large bags over a hedge bordering a neighbours property. Quickly realising he was making for the gap between our house and another neighbouring property, I yelled to Val, “Burglar! Burglar!” 
I sprinted on to our lawn, intending on cutting the intruder off. Perhaps a good rugby tackle would stop him? It was a great plan with very poor execution as old calf and hamstring injuries came back with a vengeance. Down I went with arms flailing. Val ran inside to ring the police. 
At this stage two of our neighbours came out to see what all the early morning yelling was about. Raewyn and Peter looked at my contorted, moaning face. Val and Raewyn couldn’t help themselves and started to giggle. 
Two policemen arrived a few minutes later. They tried to be professional, but soon they too were turning their heads away attempting to suppress their mirth. “Great commitment Steve,” they commented. “But you need to work on your technique.” 
To my added embarrassment, an ambulance arrived. The two paramedics quickly gave into smothered laughter, as well as giving me ‘laughing gas’ to manage the pain. 
In the Waikato Hospital Emergency Department I filled in some time by ringing  brothers Chris and Mike. Once they knew I was going to be OK they both thought it was very funny. Time for me to laugh about it too.



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