Constable Alexander Mistletoe has had a busy day.
First of all, the fire brigade had been called out to a blaze starting in the backroom of a church hall. He had to be there to keep the crowd back. And he acted as spokesperson:
“Fortunately,” he said, “the church hall had sprinklers and an alarm system installed. It shows the value of having a sprinkler system, and completely warrants the cost of a fire alarm installation. Because of this, we were able to save the building. Everyone should check the batteries in their smoke alarms throughout the house. It is quite irresponsible not to do so.”
Next, Constable Alexander Mistletoe had to attend an accident. A pedestrian had been knocked down by a car:
“Unfortunately,” he said, “the pedestrian was deceased at the scene. It highlights the importance of wearing bright clothing with reflectors when walking along the side of the road. It is quite irresponsible not to wear bright clothing.”
Next, Constable Alexander Mistletoe went in search of a missing teenage boy. His parents were in a panic. He was eventually found at a friend’s house.
“This,” he said, “highlights the importance of letting other people know where you’re going and your estimated time of return. To behave responsibly in this matter would save a lot of police time and energy. Always let others know where you’re going.”
Next, Constable Alexander Mistletoe arrested a drunk man for loud and bawdy behaviour.
“This goes to show the importance of drinking responsibly,” he said. “Far too many people have not learnt to know the limits of what they can and cannot drink. And how much they can drink.”
“And, Constable Mistletoe,” asked a reporter, “do you think people are learning from their mistakes?”
“How would I know? I’m not here to moralize.”
To listen to the story being read click HERE!
Such a well-built little story…with the prosodic use of refrain, and inevitable, ironic ending. I like this one a lot; it’s artificially real.
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Thanks, Cynthia. It was inspired by something I read last December: the Police Spokesperson said, “The message of Christmas is to always carry condoms.” 😀
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😀 😀 😀 !
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😀 😀 😀
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REally??!!!!
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True!
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Cynthia you are sounding most erudite this fine morning – what are you imbibing?
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Just spring water at the moment, but it will be 5 o’clock in just three hours and eleven minutes, and then I will make a change….
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By the way, my light catcher is doing glorious tricks on the wall beside my piano…and on the ivories….I am going to go and play “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” right now!
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If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why can’t you…!
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My daughter tells me, as she pours a glass of wine, it’s 4 pm somewhere in the world ….. Salud!!
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I find if you start drinking at 4 pm, then 5 o’clock comes a lot faster.
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I say and do the same thing, only it’s at Five..cheers!
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The closer to 5 o’clock the more time drags.
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You got that right!
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This ad, for Ally Bank, about wine, has me in stitches each time I see/hear it. I especially like the “look” on the young woman’s face https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQMAoqFn-A
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Oh, boy. Peanut of the night. I like her look as well. Drink the wine and run!!!
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Good idea, Lisa!
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It’s a very Blanc look she gives!
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Ha! Ha!
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Thank you!!!
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Anyway, we all know it is always the victim’s fault
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I know – have you seen what half the victims wear? !
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Hah! Back to the clean underwear again, aren’t we!
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LOL!
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Dear heavens he sounds like me!
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He sounds like a lot of people I know!!
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Then what would he say if somebody wearing bright clothes has an accident ?
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Blinded by the light!
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…or “everybody should be aware that wearing bright colours can be distracting” (I could not help it) 🙂
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😀
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Nice one Bruce. Quite agree with him. He’s not moralizing – just stating the truth as he sees it! 🙂
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He’s a worthy constable of the Nanny State! ?
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One perfectly packaged piece of prose which highlights the importance of stories and storytelling. Nice one Bruce!
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I’m never too sure of the validity of everything having a “moral” – like when I was at school: “What is the moral of this novel?” ! It’s when PC formulations take the place of ethical considerations that I start to get ever-so-slightly riled!
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Perhaps, if there is a moral (and I share your feelings on this), it is that one should keep a suitable distance from the constable Alexander Mistletoes of this world.
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One wouldn’t want to be caught under Mistletoe!
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I had something to say. Something smart and kind and perfectly appropriate to this excellent story but then I started reading the comments and now I can’t remember.
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You were about to bequeath to me your life’s savings I believe…
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There’s something about the British expression “knocked down” by a car. We say “hit” here in the States. Goodness. Being knocked down leads one to believe the person will get up again. Billy has probably knocked someone down, sweet as he looks. In any event, I did love your punch line. This officer is just taking advantage of teachable moments….
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If the police don’t give us a moral the press reporting of it will fill in for them. Even the weather has gone PC – the weather is an aberration if it doesn’t tie in with global warming.
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Ah, yes. Weather is not climate…
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Oh, I loved this Constable Alexander Mistletoe. It is hard not to. Likes of him make life worth living. Thank you for spinning out him!
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😀
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This one would go with a perfectly nice shot of bourbon before I dress in dark clothing to take my walk without telling my husband, leaving my home without a smoke detector.
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Please let us know if and when you arrive back!!!!
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I’m baaaack!
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I was about to phone the police and say there seems to be a strange lady wandering about!!
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Guilty 😦
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😀
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An Alexander 🙂
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They come in all shapes and sizes…
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