MOMENTS OF MIRTH - 2

PROLOGUE.

The famous Barrister at Law and Author Clifford Cohen once said " The best advice I ever received from my Mother was "Do at least one funny thing everyday". The American Lecturer, Author and Pioneer in the field of public speaking Dale Carnegie remarked " Without the element of fun, it is not worth trying to excel at anything !".  The late Actor/Comedian Danny Kaye is famous for saying "Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint you can on it !" I dont have any paint handy right now, but all I have are words to give life to Part 2 of the article MOMENTS OF MIRTH - PART 2. recollecting Anthonian comedy at its very best !

Any Hollywood  writer whose forte is writing scripts for comedy movies should have spent some time at Saint Anthony's College, specially in the Boarding. He or She would have come up with some record breakers - humorous incidents, hilarious escapades and anecdotes which were an integral part of life. Today, after 61 years these moments of fun still live in the collective Anthonian memory.

Parting the veil of time let us return to that great College by the river.

A TALE OF THREE ROSES.

Many Anthonians of the early sixties will remember the famous Anthonian - Kingswood cricket encounter in 1961 when Michael Landsberger kept wickets for College. KIngswood were at the crease having lost two early wickets. The new batsman at the crease was determined to increase the run rate showing scant respect for our bowlers. What transpired next still chills the bone although 61 years have elapsed since this dreadful incident. Attempting a mighty hook shot he missed completely and propelled by the momentum of the stroke, brought the bat down with a sickening thud on Michael's head. So horrifying was the sound that an ominous silence spread over the ground when we saw Michael collapsing in a heap. He was carried off on a stretcher and rushed to the Kandy Hospital. I was in "The Journey's End" at the time and around 7.30 pm. during study time, we heard that Michael had been discharged from Hospital and was in the sick room. Our warden Reverend Father Bruno Daniels supervising studies suggested that we all pay Michael a visit after dinner to lift his spirits and boost his moral - a suggestion which was welcomed and appreciated by every body. After dinner we trooped in and gathered around Michael's bed. Michael lay comatose in bed his head bandaged like that of an Egyptian Mummy - similar to one seen by many a tourist taking a trip down the Nile river. He lay there in obvious pain, severely concussed.  Well intended questions were directed at him by concerned Journey's Enders. " How are you feeling Michael?" "Is there anything we can get you Michael ?"  "Are you in severe pain ?" "Can we get you some Ovaltine?" etc....etc...Father Bruno remained silent in deep distress  worry and concerned etched on his ample cheeks. Finally, he asked Michael in hushed tones " IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED MICHAEL - JUST LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GET IT FOR YOU. DONT WORRY, WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU....."

The transformation was stunning ! Michael who up to that time had remained comatose slowly opened or rather half opened one eye, and established eye contact with Father Bruno saying "IF YOU DONT MIND FATHER, PLEASE GET ME A PACKET OF CIGARETTES, PREFERABLY THREE ROSES".

Considering the seriousness of the situation, never has an answer to a question had such a 

dramatic effect, turning a grave situation into one of high comedy ! While the rest of us cracked up in peals of laughter, Father Bruno recoiled as if he had been stung by a venomous snake ! The sombre mood turned into one of hilarity, while Father Bruno stormed out of the sick room in high dudgeon muttering under his breath followed by some comments of the others present. One comment made by a Journey's Ender which I remember to this day was '' FATHER, WHILE YOU GET A PACKET OF THREE ROSES FOR MICHAEL, COULD YOU PLEASE GET A PACKET OF NAVY CUT FOR LINTON VAN STARRAX ?  "(He was referring to Linton Van Starrax a chain smoker in "The Journey's End" !!).  Uproarious laughter erupted in the sick room just like Mount Vesuvius did in 69 AD much to the consternation of the Matron in Charge. This tale had a happy ending. Michael was discharged from the sick room ten days later, and life continued on its merry way.  Father Bruno who also revelled in fun enjoyed life with us, and our days in "The Journey's End " were never dull. One could say we lived happily ever after.

THE GHOST WHO WALKED BY DAY.

There was a large Store room in the vicinity of the Refectory from which Jamis the Cook our Master Chef made his daily requisitions. In the absence of the storekeeper, the room was always locked.

But not on the day when Keith Haynes walked in trying to retrieve a ball. As can be expected from Keith, he thought that the ball may have found itself into the large flour bin and he climbed in hoping to get it out. Unfortunately he slipped and fell in headlong into the mound of flour and his attempts to 

climb out were unsuccessful because he slipped each time. As time passed he began to panic. For his good fortune, who should happen to pass by but Mrs.Mulholland. Hearing the sounds of Keith in distress because by this time he began to shout for 'Help', she rushed into the store room and after a dramatic struggle rescued Keith who being fair in complexion by nature, was covered from head to toe in flour and this made him appear whiter than white ! Meanwhile a small crowd had gathered to witness this drama and Mrs.Mulholland now in charge of the situation evoked riotous laughter when glancing at Keith, she made the following announcement to those present " I THOUGHT I WAS RESCUING A BLOODY GHOST !!"

EPILOGUE.

Michael Landsberger departed this earth a few years after he left College. Three weeks before he left us he wrote me a letter which I still have and cherish. That was his last letter to me. By some bitter coincidence it was in this letter that he mentioned the incident about Keith Haynes falling into the flour bin. I wrote this article after his death. The lovable Father Bruno and Mrs.Mulholland too have gone to their eternal reward.

Walt Disney said that laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever. Good times are even better when they are shared. Cherish the memories, because they are treasures of the heart. By cherishing these moments we hold onto a personal collection of heartwarming tales that shape our lives and often bring us comfort when times get tough