a timeless work

i was probably six years old when mr. pike senior (my older brother) received an electric kit. the contraption was about the same size as my talespin lunch box and was designed to feed the curious mechanical mind. i remember the first time he configured the wires to light the bulb in the corner of the electric board. wow. that was a moment to remember.

until recently, i thought such boyhood thrills could and would only be relived in my memory...until, that is, mrs. pike introduced me to one of the greatest books ever written - the dangerous book for boys.


the book contains tidbits on just about everything you'd ever want to know. for example, how to make a periscope, build a battery, write a poem, communicate in morris code, make cloth fireproof, and teach dogs tricks. it tells about constellations, timers and tripwires, tree houses, and girls. yes, the book contains advise about girls. despite my marital status, i found the advise profound. with two little brothers who just recently joined the dating ranks again (after an extended hiatus) in mind, i'd like to quote a few passages, found on page 109.

"It is important to listen. Human beings are often self-centered and like to talk about themselves. In addition, it's an easy subject if someone is nervous. It is good advise to listen closely - unless she has also been given this advise, in which case an uneasy silence could develop, like two owls sitting together."

and this wise advise about humor...

"Be careful with humor. It is very common for boys to try to impress girls with a string of jokes, each one more desperate than the last. One joke, perhaps, and then a long silence while she talks about herself."

and, finally, this advise about lending a helping hand...

"If you see a girl in need of help - unable to lift something, for example, - do not taunt her. Approach the object and greet her with a cheerful smile, while surreptitiously testing the weight of the object. If you find you can lift it, go ahead. If you can't, try sitting on it and engaging her in conversation."

it's bound to be a timeless classic in the pike home. we may, however, be using the dangerous book for girls, which a friend of mrs. pike's kindly contributed to our family library, sooner than the book for boys.