The story begins when my sons were younger. Stuart was 7 when he was given his first formal punishment. Prior to this it had been a hard hand swat across his backside but when he reached the age of 7 my wife and I decided he was old enough to be properly disciplined when he misbehaved. Like most 7 year olds Stuart was mischievous without being truly naughty but sometimes he tried our patience. One day I had explained to him that as he was the oldest he had to set an example to his younger brothers, 5 year old Jimmy and Robert who was 3. I had explained firmly that the next time he was in trouble he would be punished "properly".
Some days went by and I noticed a change in the boy. He was less cheeky and was very careful about saying please and thank you. All the boys had been swatted a few times for forgetting those basic manners. One Monday however he lapsed into his old ways. My wife had made up a little spread for the old folks home where she worked part time. Nothing elaborate just a few cakes and home made biscuits. The children had been told to keep their hands off this food but Stuart had been unable to resist the biscuits. He had reached up to take one and to his horror pulled the plate onto the floor. My wife rushed into the kitchen to see the tearful child standing over the pile of broken china and biscuits. "Get to your room" she ordered, "and wait till your father comes home". Stuart had expected the usual swat from his mum but now remembered my stern warning a few days earlier. He made his way to his bedroom and waited.
I arrived home and was told what had happened. I decided to let the boy stew for a while and took my time over dinner. I then read the evening paper, watched the television news and enjoyed a glass of whisky before deciding to deal with my errant offspring. I strode up the stairs and into the bedroom which Stuart shared with his 2 brothers. He was sitting on the single bed which he normally occupied. His 2 brothers occupied the double tier bunk bed opposite. "I'm disappointed with you Stuart" I began. "I told you the other day what would happen when you next misbehaved but obviously you didn't listen. Your mother spent ages making those biscuits for the old people and you broke them. Have you anything to say ?".
"I'm very sorry dad" Stuart whispered.
I turned and went into the master bedroom. In the cupboard I found what I would use on this occasion. It was a size 10 gym slipper, one of a pair which I used to wear at school many years previously. I had been on the receiving end of one a few times at school and knew the discomfort it would cause. I went back into Stuart's bedroom with the slipper held behind my back. "Stand up" I ordered the boy. "I warned you what would happen when you next misbehaved. I am going to teach you to do as you are told in future". I took my hand from behind my back and Stuart's eyes became fixed on the slipper in my hand. "Lower your shorts" I instructed. A tear slowly ran down the boy's cheek as he complied, lowering to his ankles the white shorts he was wearing. "Now your pants" I continued. Stuart, hands now shaking, pulled down his tiny orange briefs and looked at me pleadingly. "Turn around, bend over, and touch your toes" I instructed and the small child obeyed. "I shall be lenient today Stuart" I said to the bending child "I shall only give you 6 this time. After each one you will repeat the words . You will not put your hand across your bottom or get up until I tell you. If you do you will get 2 more for each occasion". With that I stepped back to take aim, paused slightly and then drew back my arm fully before delivering a stinging blow to my son's backside.
"OWWW, PLEASE DAD" and then he remembered "I will do as I am told". He braced himself for the second which landed just below the first. "AAAHHH I will d-do as I am t-told". He was weeping softly. The third landed dead centre on the boys bottom. "AAAAHH, PLEEEEZ NO MORE DAD".I had to remind him firmly to say his line and he struggled through it. I then administered the next crack. "OWWWW, AAAHH I w-w-will do as I am tol-told" he stuttered through tears. The fifth "NOO DAD, PLEEEZ –I will d-d-doo as I am told". Finally the sixth and a further plaintive cry for mercy followed by his line. He stayed, as ordered, in position until I told him to rise and face me.
His hands went straight to his bottom. "HANDS ON HEAD" I commanded and my son obeyed. "Have you learnt your lesson Stuart?" I asked. He nodded. "What have you learnt?" I enquired.
"To do as you tell me and to do as mum tells me" He sobbed.
"Very well. You may pull up your pants and shorts and when you finish crying you can join your brothers. I suggest you tell them what happened here as a lesson to them for the future. And don't forget young man next time I may not be quite as lenient". With that I turned and went back to my bedroom where I replaced the slipper. I decided that the following day I would purchase a bamboo cane from a school supply shop to use for future misdemeanours which I felt sure would happen.