Dear Friends,
While reviewing certain images, I was reminded of a lesson I'd learned
in the not-too-distant past. Having been an ethusiastic swimmer, I
often went to the public pools. Not long ago, I had two occassions
to share a public pool shower with some young lads whom I knew not.
In the first instance, there was a class of schoolboys who had been to
the pool for holiday and were entering the showers. The first boy, a
rather small but well-built nine-year-old of Anglo-Chinese extraction,
had shyly entered the showers in his swimming togs ... the large baggy
Hawaiian print type so popular then (and now) ... and thereby
preserving his modesty, began showering. I supposed him to be a new
student, and I secretly admired him. He paid no attention to me,
although I was starkers. Shortly, the rest of the boys, all nine or
ten, came into the shower, completely naked. He became so
uncomfortable that he soon peeled off his own swimming togs. I was
particularly surprised because, unlike every one of the other lads, he
was circumcised ... which I would think set him apart from the others
in the most personal way. But it apparently bothered him not a whit,
having made himself just as all the others!
In the second circumstance, I entered the pool showers. There were
three young brothers, the oldest probably ten or so, then eight and
then perhaps seven years of age. Each one of them were naked and
rather casually showering, but held their bunched up swimsuits tightly
in their hands. Some argument broke out between the two oldest, and
the ten year old suddenly snatched his brother's togs away and held
them tauntingly over his head. The effect was immediate. The younger
brother shouted angrily and began to cry as if horribly humilated,
trying to leap in vain and snatch them back. In spite of his
previously naked state, he then appeared to feel utterly naked ...
hence the tears. Soon, the older brother tossed the togs back at him
with a laugh, and the younger clutched them protectively to his chest.
All was well again! It was a beautiful sight ... and quite curious!
Sincerely,
V
God Save the Queen.
God Bless the Prince of Wales.
God Preserve the Windsors.
Rule Britannia!
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