Ancient Rules

We took my sons, ages seven and five, up to Friendship Park for a picnic. My seven-year-old read the sign with the playground rules to his brother:

“Do not jump on the merry-go-round when in motion.” “Go down the slide while sitting, only.” “Only one child on a swing at a time.” (There were a good twenty rules.) The boys promised to obey them if I would let them play without Daddy standing by. So, I joined my wife at the picnic table.

Just before it was time to eat, I went over and watched them play. They were obeying the rules, that is, all but one. On the tall semicircular slide, they were coming down head first! I took them over to the posted regulations. We read them, again. I asked the boys what they had to say for themselves.

“Oh, don’t be silly, Dad… no one uses the slide rule anymore!”