Punch Cartoon No. 8

Charcoal Special

If revenge is a dish best served chilled, then surely self-righteousness is a dish best not served at all. Most went deep into Mrs. Digby’s vegetable patch. Some became stuck on the roof of the Forelock Arms. And some again ended up in the greenhouse of a nearby cottage. “And I’m not giving it you …

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Punch Cartoon No. 9

The Tailender’s Scorecard

It was two o’clock in the morning; everything was going swimmingly when Henry turned around and saw Ed Valour swaying on the barstool beside him. “Could kill one of those gin slims you’re drinking only I appear to be short of a bob or two.” Henry giggled and felt in his pocket: “Ed, never you …

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Punch Cartoon No. 7

Gentlemen, Players & Chokers

(A naughty homage to E. W. Hornung[1]) Raffles was playing a game at Lord’s for the Gentlemen of Essex when he was approached, at the lunch table, by a young cricketer by the name of Crowley. Like everyone else, Crowley was dressed in creamy whites, but Raffles noted at his neck a cravat with a …

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Punch Cartoon No. 6

The Fairytale of Indore

Anika Puri was fuming. The boys didn’t want to let her play. Although she was Lakshay’s sister, he didn’t have the courage to argue on her behalf, so she had to sit and watch. Rohit was quite a good bowler she thought, and Tushar could bat all day, but they really weren’t that good as …

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Horton Tarot Card

Carte Blanche

“Sex is emotion in motion.” Mae West “Emotion is sexual motion.” Mabel Maude thinks I should understand carte blanche, since I always act as if I have it. Contrary to what dearest M thinks, however, the meaning of this expression is not what it seems. Though it is true, the characters in these stories would …

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Horton Tarot Card

Canadian Bacon

It was a very small lift and the lady was rather large. “I am Canadian, you know.” “Oui, so you speak French.” “Well, I think I do but all the locals here hate my accent.” “They are such snobs.” “I don’t care. This is my first time in Paris. It’s amazing!” The lift bumped its …

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Horton Tarot Card

Soft Spots

“She had more curves than a scenic railway.” P. G. Wodehouse “I rather like scenic railways. Especially if they have steam.” Maude Denim jackets are two a penny; but mine was special with studs and little badges of Pisa and Florence. Actually, it was Sylvia who “burrowed” it to me, as we used to say, …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Old Lady and the Tea

Noura was a good girl. One Friday, as she walked through the streets of the market, she was so busy texting on her phone that she fell over. Her phone skittered across the paving stones and came to rest next to an old lady sitting there. “Good morning!” said Noura feeling a little embarrassed. “Good …

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Horton Tarot Card

Death in the Nile

The couple insisted on paying Abid before the boarded the Felucca. He was curious, but never overly so as they had already included a large tip. “How far you want to go, Mister?” “Just out into the channel as far away from land as possible.” The breeze whispered across the Nile and Abid got on …

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Horton Tarot Card

Bella

Though Bella never saw her host, who always sat in the shadows while she played, she had no reason to complain about her stay in the castle of Baron Liebestraum. One day, however, Bella could no longer hide her homesickness. “Baron, I have not been home for six months. I begin to miss my family.” …

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