Graham A. Schofield

In the light of today's 'Cotton Wool Cocooning Culture' this picture is highly amusing. For those of you, and especially those over-sanctimonious, blinkered Health & Safety types, who don't know what this image represents, I will tell you. It is a picture of children using their imaginations and thoroughly enjoying themselves. What fantasies has the crate formed in this girl's mind. That curved object the little child is sitting upon; is it an aeroplane, a racing car, a boat? Whatever it is, it will be taking him into a world of total enjoyment. Look at the den that's being constructed, or could it be de-constructed. That must have provi ded hours and hours of enjoyment and excitement for many many children. We can only guess as to what is going on in the background, but I think we can be assured that some wild, imaginative, and child-like creative activity is being planned, or is already underway . There would, of course have been plenty of grazed knees and minor cuts along the way, but hey, isn't that how kids 'learn by experience'. And let's not forget, that kids didn't play far away from home, and 'Mam' would be at home, on hand, to wipe away tears and put on whatever plasters might be needed, or just 'kiss it better'. You were soon back in the game. I wonder what some of the over zealous H.& S. types would do if they came across a scene like this today? They'd probably froth at the mouth, get their knickers in a twist, pass out and then apply for (and probably get it), permanent sick leave due to the excessive trauma brought about by the exposure to "Real Life".

25-Oct-2010

GrahamScho@AOL.com