This story was prompted by the local high secondary schools going into their summer uniform. While it is over 40 years ago since I left school, the sight of boys cycling off to school in the morning brought back some memories. As you may have guessed or know already, I live in New Zealand.
Jason Briggs stood in the bathroom of his parents house, looking in the mirror through the steam. It was a Tuesday in late October, the first day after a long weekend and it was the time for summer uniform. He was 15 years old, tall for his age, a bit on the thin side, but wiry. Like most boys his age he was fit, playing rugby in winter and he swam and played cricket in summer.
He heard his mother calling, Come on Jason or you will be late for school.
Ok mum, Im coming, he finished drying himself off, gave the mirror an other wipe with the towel, I think Ill have to start shaving soon. Wrapping the towel around his waist he left the bathroom and went along the passage to his and his brothers bedroom.
His young brother was 12 and still in bed. Come on Chas out of bed or youll be late for school.
I was waiting for you to finish in the bathroom so I can have a shower.
Excuses excuses.
Chas got out of bed and wandered off to the bathroom. Jason dropped the damp towel on the floor got some clean briefs out of his drawer stepped into them and drew them up his legs. He had just got them on comfortably when his dad went past the open door.
Jas, dont leave that wet towel on the carpet, you will ruin it.
Yes Dad. He picked up the towel, grabbed his singlet and shrugging it on went along the passage to the laundry and threw the towel into the washing machine on top of yesterdays dirty clothes. He went back to the bedroom and pulled a freshly ironed shirt out of his drawers and then lifted out a pair of summer shorts. Made out of cotton drill material and a pale gray in colour, he hated them because they looked and felt wrong, sort of uncomfortable. He put on the shirt and then pulled on the shorts. They were tighter than the flannel winter ones and the leg was about two inches higher up his thighs. He looked in the mirror above his chest of drawers and then pulled on his socks which came up to the regulation 2 inches below his knees. He went along the passage to the kitchen, just as Chas came out of the bathroom.
Hurry up Chas or youll be late for school again and old Scotty will give you the strap. Ive had the strap before and it doesnt hurt.
Not from Tom Scott, or you wouldnt be saying that, said Jason remembering the six strokes, three across each palm of his hands, he and his friend had got for rushing across the road from school and causing a car to crash into a power pole. His hands had been bruised for two days and he found it very hard to write anything in his exercise books.
Hurry up boys or your breakfast will get cold, called their mother.
Yes Mum, they replied together. Jason went to the kitchen while Charles rushed back to the bedroom to get dressed. Jason finished breakfast excused himself and went to his room to finish getting ready for school. His homework was finished on Friday so no worries there, he pulled his shoes on, although they looked a bit scruffy, he thought that they would do, grabbed his bag and headed back to the kitchen to say goodbye to his mother.
Poking his head around the door he said, Bye Mum.
Jason, come here I want to make sure you are presentable. They went through this routine every school morning. Yes, you are not too bad, wait a moment, your shoes are a disgrace. Polish them before you leave.
Yes Mum. Dropping his bag with a bang, he got out the shoe box with all the polishes in and started to clean his shoes. He finished them off and went out the back door and to the shed to get his bike. He was very proud of his bike it had three speed rear hub gears by Stermy Archer and a dynamo hub on the front wheel for the lighting set. Looking at it he decided that he would polish it on Saturday. It had taken him two years of working at paper rounds after school to pay for the bike and the gear on it, before that using a second hand bike that Chas now used for going to school.
Wheeling the bike out of the shed and putting his bag properly over both shoulders so it was on his back, he swung his leg over the seat, pressing down on the pedal he moved away from the shed and took off down the drive to the road and then to school. He was at his best friend Allan Joness home in ten minutes and they had a further ten minutes ride to get to school.
Allan came out of his house and called, Ill be about five minutes, you can wait or carry on if you want to.
Ill wait.
Come in then.
Ill wait at the gate.
OK, wont be long, and true to his word Allan came around the side of the house just before the five minutes were up wheeling his bike. They set off to school.
As they cycled they chatted about this and that.
Suddenly Allan said, Hey, wasnt it funny the other day when Ian Fairbrother got the cane. I thought he was going to cry, his face was so red when he came back to his seat in class.
Yeah when Phil gives you the cane it stings like hell, so I can understand how he felt.
Have you had the cane from old Phillpot?
Yeah I got two last year in the third term for flicking paper pellets when I should have been working on an essay. It isnt easy sitting on a hard chair with two lines of fire burning on your bum, knowing the rest of the class is watching you wriggle and laughing about it behind your back.
Well I havent had the cane yet and I hope I never do, specially on these summer shorts.
Got it a couple of times last year. One lot was the two I got from Phil the other was three I got from Keith Jones in maths. He took me out into the corridor and gave me the three. I was in my winter shorts thank goodness and the welts stayed on my bum for more than a week. Like you I hope that I dont get it on these summer shorts, its bad enough getting it over double seated flannel with a lining as well.
Now we are in the 5th form Ive heard the cane is not used so much.
Ive heard that too. But then last week Ian got whacked, so I dont know who to believe. Anyway weve made it so far through the year and there is only a couple of months to go till the end of the year. Also we have got School C at the end of next month. Look weve arrived at school, see you in the third period.
Ok. The two parted at the bike sheds and went off to their separate classrooms before assembly. Although they were in the same year and had a few classes together English, Science and Maths, Jason did languages and Geography while Allan did Tech Drawing and advanced Maths as he wanted to be an architect. Jason thought that he may be a teacher, but he hadnt really made up his mind yet.
The third period arrived and Jason was waiting for Allan to arrive and when he hadnt and he saw the teacher for the period coming along the corridor towards the classroom he went in, wondering what was keeping Allan. Five minutes into the lesson with Mr Phillpot, Allan arrived in the classroom asking to be excused for being late.
And why are you late, Jones?
I was kept after class by Mr Adams Sir.
Mr Phillpot looked at Allan closely and decided that he was telling the truth and said, Go to your seat and try not to disturb the class with your antics today Jones or you may be in more trouble.
Yes Sir, said Allan as he came to sit down by Jason. Once they were sure Mr Phillpots attention was elsewhere they looked at each other.
What happened,?
Adams saw me throw a rubber at Charlie Smith in retaliation for him flicking me with his ruler as he went past me at the beginning of that last period.
What happened?
I got a jawing and Ive got to see him before afternoon school at his office. Mr Adams was head of Technical studies and as head of a department had his own office.
Gee Allan you may get it.
I know, I am thinking Ive got this far through school without getting whacked and now....
Jones and Briggs if you dont stop talking you both will be in trouble, rumbled Mr Phillpot.
The two looked at each other and got on with their lessons vowing to talk more at lunchtime. At the end of the period they separated again, Jason to geography and Allan to algebra.
At lunch time they met in the quad as the weather was fine and ate lunch together, then went to the library to do some of the homework already set for the day. At 12.45pm, Allan said, Well I guess I better go to Adams office and wait for him.
Im rubbing my bum in anticipation.
Thanks a lot friend.
Look if you like Ill wait in the corridor near his office.
Ok. They gathered their books and went to their classrooms and got the books required for their next periods, and then together made their way to Neville Adams office. They had been there about two minutes when Mr Adams came along and looked at them both before telling Allan to follow him.
Jones, come into my office. They went in and the door was shut. Through the door Jason could hear the murmur of voices then he heard a louder command from Mr Adams. Alright Jones, enough excuses, bend over.
Poor Allan, thought Jason as he listened outside the door. The first three strokes fell, all Jason could hear was the high pitched crack as the cane met its target. At the fourth stroke he heard a moan of pain, it wasnt a cry or a yell, but a definite sound of someone in pain. There were no more strokes and a minute later Allan came out of the office.
Jason could see tears glistening in his eyes and as they still had five minutes to the bell said, Come into the bogs here and clean up before we go to class. They went into the toilets which at that time had no one at the urinals. Come over to the basin and clean up.
Allan started to run water into the basin to rinse his face. Jesus Im sore, it feels as though my arse is on fire.
Drop your shorts and lets see the damage.
Allan undid his belt and his fly and lowered his shorts, pealed down the back of his underpants. Whats it look like?
There were four deep red lines across both of Allans buttocks, in places it looked as though it was going to start bleeding at any moment. Turn and look in the mirror above the basins, those look worse than when I got it. The bloody bastard must have hit you hard.
The bastard, I hope he goes to hell.
Unknown to the friends they had been joined in the toilets. The first they knew was when the voice boomed at them, Jones I suggest that you get dressed again and then both of you follow me to my office. Allan quickly pulled up his shorts and they glumly Mr Adams back to his office.
Once back there with the door open, Mr Adams said, I will see you both here after school. The only reason that I dont deal with you now is that I am too angry and I may do something that Ill regret later. So I will see you here at 3.40pm at the latest, am I understood?
Yes Sir, they replied.
Very good, you had both better be getting off to your classes now before you miss more of your lessons.
They both turned and left his office. They had two and half hours of misery and conjecture about what might happen at the end of the school day.
For them both the afternoon seemed to drag by and after the final bell of the day had rung at 3.30, they either didnt know whether they were happy the wait was finally over or that they might be in serious pain before much longer. For Allan all afternoon the four lines of fire had burned into his backside and he was wondering if he was going to get more, he hoped not, the four he had got just before 1 oclock was enough for him.
Jason was already at his locker when Allan came along. Hows your bum chum?
Remembering where they were, Allan replied, Still very sore.
Weed better get along to his office then. There was no need to say the name, they both knew it. They both walked along the corridor towards Mr Adamss office. Arriving before the deadline they looked at each other again before knocking on the door.
Come in.
Opening the door, Jason went into the office ahead of Allan.
Stand in front of my desk boys, said in what sounded like a reasonable tone. Now before you say anything, I will tell you what I saw and heard earlier, and then we will go from there. Seeing the two nod, he went on, I went to the toilet before going to the next lesson. I saw you Briggs, looking at Joness backside mouthing off obscenities about me. Am I right Briggs?
Yes Sir, said Jason feeling his backside clenching in anticipation.
Then you Jones, referring to my parentage and hoping that I will go to hell. Am I right again Jones?
Yes Sir, with a sigh.
Right, I am glad that I have my facts right, now we can proceed to an understanding, he gave a slight smile. First I dont appreciate being called names, nobody does, specially when there are obscenities attached Briggs. Jason looked at Mr Adams, blushed and lowered his head to stare at his feet.
Second, I dont enjoy hurting people. I cane perhapes two people a year, but when I do use the cane I make sure that the person that receives it, knows he has been hurt, and that way I hope that I wont have to use it very often because the news gets out that people must behave in my class or suffer the consequences. If Jones had been up front about what he was doing in my class this morning he would have got a detention, but he gave me a load of excuses which were rubbish, and even before I caned him, he still wouldnt tell me what really happened, but still gave me excuses.
Well, Allan, do you want to tell me now what really happened?
Jason looked at Allan and saw that he was near tears again. He could see them glistening in his eyes. He spoke, Sir, if I may speak?
Go ahead Briggs. Remember you were not there so you can only report on what you have been told. Yes Sir. Allan...., at Mr Adamss nod he went on, told me that an other boy had flicked him with a ruler as he went past him towards the back of the room.
I see, is that what happened Allan?
Yes Sir.
Who was that boy? Was it Charles Smith? seeing their surprised looks, went on, I know he is fond of bullying anyone that he thinks he can take advantage of, but I have never been able to prove it before. So I will keep a sharper watch on Master Smith and talk to the teachers in the common room about him as well. Thank you both for letting me know about him. Now to deal with your problems, and these were only caused by the both of you, you both understand that dont you?
Yes Sir.
Yes Sir, they said after one another.
Very good, Jones, you have already been caned enough today, although legally if I was a true so and so, I could cane you again. You will serve two detentions. In those detentions you will do whatever set homework you have. I will give you a note to that effect for the teacher in charge.
Thank you Sir.
Jason felt his backside clench again as his turn came to pay the piper.
Briggs, when I first saw you and heard you mouthing off obscenities I was going to give you six of the best, however I have had time to think over what happened. I now realize that you were angry that your friend had perhapes been unjustifiably caned, notice I said perhapes, never the less you must be punished for swearing as you broke the rules. You Briggs will serve four detentions under the same conditions as your friend Jones.
Thank you Sir.
Remember, you are in the fifth form now, you are growing up so you are supposed to start behaving like men, rather than boys.
Jason looked at Mr Adams fully for the first time. Sir, I am sorry for what I said.
I am too Sir, added Allan.
Thank you, your apologies have been accepted, you may go.
As soon as they got outside the office, Well, Mr Adams is not a bad sort after all, said Jason.
Thats easy for you to say, you dont have a sore backside.
Oh, does the little boy have a sore bum bum then. Are you going to get Mummy to kiss it better.
No you fool.
Allan my mum is out shopping this afternoon, why dont you come over for a while.
Chas will be home wont he?
Oh yeah, what about your house?
Ok. Mum and Dad are at work, although Mum sometimes gets away early.
Ok lets go.
Grabbing their stuff from their lockers they went out to their bikes to ride to Allans home. Ten minutes later they had arrived.
Can I offer you a glass of water or something?
Ok. After drinking the water, Lets go to your room so I can inspect your damaged arse more closely.
Is it kindness you are offering, or are you trying something on, you pervert?
Youd be so lucky. No if you have some Solarcairn or something like that I can rub that on and it will help cool down the sting.
Yeah I got some, come on, and he led the way to his bedroom.
Allan was an only child and both of his parents worked. He was given things that Jason could only dream about having. (this story is set in the time before computers and while TV was in NZ, it is still the time before VCRs were around.) He had a stereo, a radio and a small 14 inch black and white TV. Jason was quite envious, he didnt even have a radio of his own. Allan while an only child was not spoilt, his parents had instilled in him the ethic of hard work, and he had earned all the things in his room by bringing home god reports Also unknown to Jason, Allan was no stranger to a sore backside. Being a typical teenager he sometimes pushed the set boundaries. If he got too cheeky to his parents, or did something stupid, his father believed in a swishy stick being applied to the seat of learning as he put it. It did not happen often, maybe once or twice a year, but when it did happen Allan would have at least six stripes across his bum.
Nice set up you have here.
Yeah, I can see you green eyes showing. You know I work for it.
I know Allan. Lets get you fixed up. Drop your pants and bend over. I always knew you were a pervert.
Come on stop mucking about, drop em and lay over your bed. Allan did as he was told. _s_h_i_t_ that looks sore mate.
A muffled, What do you think Ive been telling you for the last 3 hours.
Ok, ok, where is the Solarcairn?
In the bathroom cabinet.
Ok, Ill be back in a mo.... Got it, Jason squeezed a generous dollop onto his fingers and started to gently massage it into Allans inflamed backside being careful to avoid rubbing the wealds.
Allan was enjoying what Jason was doing and he started to wriggle.
Am I hurting you?
No..no ............Im getting a stiffy.
Now who is the pervert. Here I am being the milk of human kindness, and you start getting _s_e_x_cited on me. Jason giggled a bit. You know when I have been caned or when dad gives me a hiding, I always get excited too. Usually after the fact when things are glowing nicely as your bum is at the moment. Actually at the moment just thinking about having hidings and looking at your freshly caned arse, Im getting a bit stiff too.
Jas, if I tell you something.....you wont spread it around?
Allan you know I can keep secrets.
Ok then, the caning I got today was not the first one Ive ever had. It was the first I got at school. Dad gives me the cane when Ive been playing up a bit. He doesnt hit as hard as Adams did today, but hard enough to sting like hell and the marks usually stay for a couple of days at least.
Do you get a hard on after he does?
Yep, as soon as I know I wont be disturbed I wank like crazy.
Me too..I wonder if our dads know we do?
Probably....they used to get hidings in their younger days, if you believe all the war stories they tell ....how gramps used to whip his bare tail with an old buggy whip.
Yeah, my dad always telling me how he used to get it with an old razor strop. He reckons that Ive got it lucky getting his belt instead of that.
Do you ever get it bare arsed?
No, the closest was once he was really mad at me cause I called him an old fool, he gave me twelve across the underpants. Some landed below the edges of the underpants. What about you?
Like you I got six on my underpants. It was for being cheeky to mum. _s_h_i_t_ this has got me really hard, do you want to wank?
Race you, but youve got to wait until I get my pants down............
Feedback would be appreciated at eddybear@xtra. co. nz Thanks Ted B