I hope that you enjoy this story. I do not support child abuse and these stories are intended solely as a support to roleplay between consenting adults.
If you are a naughty "schoolboy" who loves stern handling, or a strict headmaster who believes that it is infinitely better "to give than to receive", or if you simply enjoyed this story, please drop me an email. I would love to hear from you. I am based in Natal, South Africa.
I looked across at my wife and raised my eyebrows as the front door slammed. A moment later I watched as Phillip sprinted down the garden path, his socks around his ankles and cap awry, obviously late for the bus again. He was not a bad boy, being relatively well-mannered by the standards of modern youth, but at the same time I found his over-familiarity and self-assuredness rather grating. I have my own, no doubt traditional, views on boys and often lamented the recent decline in standards of behaviour. I watched as, a moment later, Phillip threw open the garden gate and disappeared around the corner, dragging his school bag behind him. "In my time, a _c_o_c_k_-sure lad like Phillip would have soon received his come-uppence", I mused, "But such are the times we live in!".
I sipped my tea and leaning back in my armchair, continued with my cross-word puzzle. I always enjoyed mornings in the sunroom after breakfast – the challenge of the Times cross-word and the soothing click-clack of my wife's knitting needles as she worked on yet another jersey for the church bazaar. A moment later I noticed that the needles had stopped and I looked up to find my wife gazing at me.
"It's a pity that they no longer give them the cuts at school, isn't it?" she said, smiling at me over her glasses.
"You've always been able to read my mind, haven't you, Gladys?" I said, chuckling. "Yes, it does seem as though general behaviour has declined sadly since the days of schoolboy corporal punishment".
"I imagine that you were often beaten as a boy, Arthur?", she asked, smiling coyly.
"Oh, yes indeed and it did me a lot of good", I replied.
"Six of the best in the headmaster's study, eh? Well, I am sure that you deserved it!" she added, laughing as she continued with her knitting.
A series of rather painful memories flitted involuntarily through my mind as I picked up my crossword again, but a few moments later I was engrossed in a particularly cryptic clue for "11 across".
Not long after I became aware that the comforting click-clack had again stopped and found my wife looking at me once more.
"Of course, there's nothing to prevent you from caning Phillip from time to time, is there?" she observed, taking a sip of her tea. "I mean you are his guardian. His father had every intention, before he passed away, of beating him. In fact, I believe that there is still a cane up in the attic somewhere. Frank was keeping it for Phillip's sixth birthday".
I gazed across at my wife, not quite sure what to say. If someone had told me 9 months ago that I would marry, I would have laughed and assured them of my confirmed bachelorhood. In fact, the romance had been conducted with a quite uncharacteristic speed and I had given very little thought to the implications of adopting Phillip. He had seemed a nice enough lad and, in the excitement, all the necessary legal papers had been signed with an alarming rapidity. Not that I had any regrets. Gladys was a charming and attentive wife and I had thoroughly enjoyed our first five months of marriage. At the same time, the comfortable domestic scene in which I presently found myself would have been incomprehensible less than a year ago. Even less comprehensible would have been the thought that I would be offered the responsibility of disciplining a 10-year old boy.
"I mean, he's quite old enough for the cane, isn't he?" Gladys asked, "My father caned Henry and George from their sixth birthdays. Boys need the cuts. A good caning helps to keep them in line, doesn't it?".
I took another sip of tea and considered the matter. I must admit that the idea of administering corporal punishment to a boy had always held a strange appeal for me. If my father had not insisted that I follow him in the law, I am quite sure that I would have become a schoolmaster. In any case, I was rather taken aback because, in these modern days, I had never even considered the possibility of beating the lad.
"You must understand, Gladys" I said, "that if the Phillip were to come under traditional schoolboy punishment, he would have to make innumerable adjustments to his lifestyle. Keep his uniform in tip-top condition, watch his manners and so on. There would be a whole set of rules for him to obey".
"You would have full control over the boy, Arthur. And you would, of course, have absolute discretion to punish him as you see fit".
"Well, if we were to give this a trial, I would certainly insist upon that. But you must also realise that, if I agree to assume this responsibility, I may be required to be quite severe with the boy. There is no sense in giving a lad a set of rules and then not enforcing them quite strictly. That will only worsen his behaviour. And from my own experience I can vouch that the cane can be quite severe" I said, adjusting my reading glasses.
"Oh, I am sure you have a wealth of 'experience' draw on", rejoined my wife teasingly. "I have always found it amusing that little boys are whipped and then grow up to whip their own sons".
"Yes" I said, blushing slightly, "I suppose its part of the circle of life".
"But seriously" Gladys assured me, "I am quite used to boys being caned. Father was very strict and whipped the boys often. I used to stand outside the study and listen to them squealing. In fact, I once saw George's bottom after he had been given the cuts and it was clear that he had been soundly punished. No, I am not at all squeamish about Phillip getting what he deserves and I am sure that you would do him the world of good.".
"I have no doubt that a strict disciplinary regime will produce wonders in the boy" I said, pondering the matter further.
"Oh, come on Arthur" said Gladys with some exasperation, "What's the harm in giving it a try? You don't always have to consider these things endlessly, you know! I am sure that you will know how to deal with the boy and it will do him no end of good".
"Alright" I said with a smile, folding the newspaper, "I suppose I do tend to be a bit over analytical, looking at each new situation from every possible angle. I will give the lad a caning this evening. Let's see if we can find this cane in the attic that you mentioned!".
I eventually found the "cane", lying behind a stack of dusty hat boxes in a far corner of the attic. I was disappointed to discover that the "cane" was nothing more than a dry, brittle and rather mouldy bamboo stick. Not at all suitable for what I had in mind. I was quite determined that if I were going to beat the little fellow, I would do so with a proper rattan schoolmaster's cane. I wanted to make sure that he felt each stroke sharply and came to have an appropriate fear for the cane. The problem was: where to find a suitable instrument?
A long morning spent making enquiries in town eventually paid dividends when I called in at an obscure porn broker's shop at the end of a street I seldom visited. I was rather embarrassed making my enquiry, but the shop mistress was very helpful and after rummaging in her storeroom for several minutes produced two wonderful canes. Both were traditional hook-handled canes. The first was a long, thin yellow cane and the other a severe-looking darker cane, considerably thicker and longer than the thin rattan.
"They used to belong to a local schoolmaster" she said, as she wrapped the canes in brown paper. "And I am reliably informed by some local boys that they saw very long and useful service, too!".
"Ah! No doubt, no doubt" I said, staring at the canes as they disappeared beneath their wrapping.
"Are they for your boy?", asked the shopkeeper, neatly taping up the brown paper parcel.
"Yes" I said, blushing slightly, "I recently married a lady, she has a young son from a deceased husband".
"Ah!" she said with a wink as she handed me my purchase, "Well, I hope that you put the canes to very good use on him! A boy needs a sound whipping from time to time.".
I was home by lunch time, rather exhausted from my shopping trip, but delighted with my purchases. I tore open the parcels in the privacy of my study, eager to experiment with my new canes. I found that the thin rattan was delightfully swishy, while the venerable senior cane had a wonderful density that promised to deliver a remarkably heavy stroke.
I am afraid that I rather rushed through lunch with Gladys, but she quite understood when I explained my plans. In less than twenty minutes I was back in my study, working at my typewriter. An hour later, I sat back in my chair and read my work with some satisfaction:
THE BOYS' RULES
Uniforms
1. Boys will at all times ensure that they are properly and smartly dressed in school uniform. Boys are not permitted to wear "casual" clothes at any time. Blazers must be worn to breakfast and dinner, and when reporting for punishment. 2. Boys will require the following items of uniform: school blazer, white shirt, grey flannel shorts, regulation school belt, school tie, long grey socks and black schoolboy shoes, regulation white underpants and school blazer. 3. Navy blue pyjamas and dressing gown must be worn after bath time. 4. Boys will ensure that their shirts are at all times neatly tucked in and their socks pulled up. 5. The school cap must be worn at all times when a boy is outdoors. When indoors, the cap should be neatly folded and placed in the boy's blazer pocket. Any boy found without his cap will be beaten. 6. School shoes must be clean and properly shined at all times. Boys must avoid scuffing their shoes, for example, by kicking objects along the road, or dirtying their shoes by jumping in puddles, playing in mud or otherwise.
Hair
7. Boys' hair must at all times be neatly combed. 8. No "modern" hair cuts are allowed. Boys must ensure that their hair is cut in the "short back and sides" style. Boys will be required to use their pocket money to obtain hair cuts so as to ensure that they at all times may meet the requirements of this rule. 9. Regular surprise hair inspections will be held and any boy whose hair can be combed to touch either his ear, his collar or his eyebrows will be caned. Boys will generally receive one stroke of the cane per offence.
Manners
10. Boys must at all times behave politely towards ladies, gentlemen and girls of all ages. 11. Any impoliteness, particularly to a lady or a girl, will result in a boy being severely thrashed. 12. Boys are required to stand and, where appropriate, offer up their chairs, when a lady, gentleman or girl enters the room. 13. Boys are also required, when wearing a cap, to raise their cap when meeting a lady, gentleman or girl, and to give an appropriate greeting. For example: "Good morning, Ma'am" or "Good afternoon, Sir". 14. Boys must at all times refer to their fathers as "Sir".
Schoolwork
15. Boys are expected to work diligently on all schoolwork and homework. 16. Boys will at all times write neatly and avoid ink blotches and other blemishes on their work. 17. Homework is to be done timeously and thoroughly. 18. Any failure by a boy to apply himself to schoolwork or homework will result in a severe caning. 19. Quarterly school reports will be examined and boys will be given cuts in the event of poor marks or adverse comments.
Meal times
20. Boys are expected to attend meal times timeously and to be neatly dressed in full school uniform for all meals. 21. Boys are not allowed to be seated at the table until everyone else has taken his or her seat. Even if someone is delayed, for example, mother is seeing to something in the kitchen, the boy is required to wait quietly behind his chair and not take his seat until mother has first been seated. 22. Boys will sit neatly and quietly during meals, avoiding any fidgeting. 23. Dinner times are formal occasions and no boy may speak without having first been spoken to during dinner. Boys who interrupt conversation will be punished.
Games
24. Traditional sports, such as cricket, and traditional toys, such as train sets, are encouraged. 25. All "electronic" games and skateboards are strictly forbidden.
TV and bed times
26. Boys will be allowed to watch only one hour of pre-approved TV programmes per day. 27. Bed time will be at 8 o' clock sharp unless a boy has been ordered to report for punishment after that time.
General behaviour
28. Boys should be seen and not heard. No boy should behave in a noisy or boisterous manner. 29. Boys may not run indoors.
Punishment
30. Boys may be given corporal punishment if they break any of The Boys' Rules. 31. Corporal punishment will generally be administered with the cane, although the belt and ad hoc instruments of punishment may also be used, such as a stick from a hedge when on a picnic. 32. A boy may be given up to twelve cuts with the cane on any one occasion. The minimum number of strokes is usually two cuts, but the exact number of cuts given is within the absolute discretion of Sir. 33. Cuts may be given with the junior cane or a heavier senior cane. Sir has the discretion to decide which cane to use when thrashing a boy. 34. A boy may, again in the absolute discretion of Sir, be caned across his school shorts, his regulation underpants or across his bare bottom. Canings may also be given across other forms of clothing in appropriate circumstances, such as pyjamas, in respect of offences committed after bedtime, or across Speedos for poolside misdemeanours. When a boy is being caned in shorts, his shirttails may be pulled out in order to reduce the layers of clothing covering the boy's bottom. 35. Cuts will generally be given across boys' bottoms, but boys may also be caned across the palms of the hands or the backs of their thighs. 36. A boy will typically be required to adopt the "touching toes" position for the cane, but for severe canings may be required to bend over a desk, the back of a chair or the arm of an armchair. When ordered to touch his toes, a boy must actually touch his toes with the tips of his fingers, while keeping his legs straight and avoiding any bending of the knees. 37. Boys are required to remain in position once ordered to bend over. No boy may stand before being instructed to do so, even if the number of cuts officially awarded has already been given (because Sir may have decided to award additional cuts and because the boy must demonstrate obedience). If a boy fails to remain in position, the previous cut administered does not "count" and the boy will also be given an additional cut for disobedience. In addition, boys may not place their hands across their bottoms at any stage during a thrashing, nor may they attempt to place their bottoms out of the path of the cane in any way. Any boy who commits this offence will receive additional cuts as already described above. 38. Any boy caught "padding" (ie. inserting an additional layer of clothing or any other form of protection inside his underpants or shorts) will automatically receive a severe thrashing of 12 cuts of the senior cane across the bare bottom. In addition, whatever cuts may have previously been awarded to the boy before the padding was discovered, will be null and void and the full caning will be administered again in full the next day. 39. No boy may rub his bottom after receiving the cuts while he is still in Sir's study, except with Sir's permission. Any boy who rubs his bottom without prior permission will receive extra cuts, across his bare bottom if Sir deems this necessary. 40. A boy may be ordered to "stand in the corner" after a caning, whether with his hands on his head or at his side. Boys may be required to remain in the corner with their pants and or underpants down and are absolutely not permitted to rub their bottoms while "in the corner".
Rather pleased with my handiwork, I went up to Phillip's room and pinned a copy of the Boys' Rules to the back of the lad's door. I wanted the rules there as a constant reminder to the boy that he was entering a new stage of life. I also took the opportunity to go through Phillip's cupboards, removing all his casual clothes, including his collection of garishly coloured tee-shirts and shorts. I made sure that I gathered up all his coloured underpants, leaving him with only the plain white ones and, grabbing a pair of his school shorts, returned to my study. I locked the confiscated clothes away in a cupboard and made a mental note to take the boy to the school supply shop to buy some more school clothes. Rather exhausted with all my preparations, I sat back in my chair and flexed the junior cane. I suspected that I was going to rather enjoy what came next ....
I sat there for a few minutes, flexing and swishing the cane through the air, before rising and crossing my study to a small sofa.
"Practice makes perfect!", I thought, taking Phillip's school shorts and stuffing them with two small cushions. The shorts bulged nicely and admirably mimicked a pair of boy's buttocks. I placed the suitably-packed shorts on the sofa and adopted a position behind them. I must admit that I was thoroughly enjoying myself by the time I lined up the cane across the shorts and prepared to give my first practice cut with a real schoolboy cane.
Raising the cane above my shoulder, I lashed it down across the shorts, somewhat disappointed to find that the cane landed low and rather ineffectually, just trimming the legs of the shorts, where the boy's thighs would normally have been. Undeterred, I continued practicing and within 15 or 20 strokes, was laying hard, accurate cuts across the unfortunate pair of shorts.
Somewhat breathless, I eventually returned the junior cane to my desk and picked up the heavier cane, enjoying its weighty feel in the hand and its cruel "whoosh!" as I whipped it through the air.
"This is an altogether different matter!" I thought, rather suspecting that the senior boy's cane had seen a great deal of "action" and must have been deeply feared by the boys who came under its sway. Indeed, the cane felt like a coiled cobra as I flexed it between my hands and I had no doubt that it would sting a boy's bottom like a snake bite! I approached my "volunteer" again, carefully lining up the cane and administering a heavy cut. My first stroke landed with a loud "thwack!", inflicting a satisfying striped indentation across the seat of the shorts. "The senior cane was going to be a useful weapon in my arsenal", I thought, administering another 7 or 8 strokes for good measure. Looking up, I was surprised to find that it was almost time for afternoon tea and, carefully placing my new canes in a heavy, dark cupboard, I left the study.
I found my wife pouring tea in the sunroom. She smiled as I entered the room.
"I gather that Phillip is in for a 'hot' time this evening, Arthur?" she asked with a bright laugh.
"Well, I will certainly intend 'talking' to the boy." I said, chuckling as I sipped my tea.
I made sure that I went to fetch the post at about the time Phillip normally found his way home. I was not disappointed. As I reached the garden gate, it was hurled open and the boy dashed past me. He looked, if it were possible, even scruffier than he had when leaving the house that morning.
"Oh, hi, Dad!" said Philip, rushing past me towards the house.
I had prepared myself to be stern, but I do hate the modern greeting 'hi', and this no doubt added some acid to my tone.
"Stop right there, boy!" I said sternly, as the lad scurried away from me.
The boy faltered, clearly surprised at being addressed in this manner. He turned to look at me, all the time continuing to walk backwards towards the house.
"When I tell you to 'Stop', Phillip, I mean 'Stop'", I said, placing the post firmly under my arm.
"Oh!" said Phillip, coming to a halt and looking surprised, "Sorry, I was just ....".
"Never mind what you were 'just' doing, Phillip" I said, "Simply make sure that you do as you are told in future".
The boy looked even more surprised, no doubt wondering what had become of his benign, absent-minded and somewhat neglectful stepfather.
"I want you to report to me in my study in 20 minutes, boy" I said, "And make sure that you smarten your uniform up!".
"But, Dad!" protested Phillip, dropping his schoolbag on the path, "I'm meeting James and Martin at the skateboard rink in the park, I've got to be there in half an hour!".
"Firstly, Phillip" I said, looking down at the boy in front of me, "I think that it will be 'Sir' from now on and not 'Dad'. And secondly, you won't be doing any skateboarding today or, in fact, ever again. It is a detestable past time. A boy should walk respectably on his own two feet and not go riding about the place, chewing gum and creating a disturbance.".
The lad looked up at me, clearly at a loss to explain the new tone in my voice and quite unsure as to how far he could test me.
"Twenty minutes! In my study!" I said, sweeping past Phillip, leaving the lad looking speechlessly after me.
I returned to my study and waited in the large, comfortable leather armchair behind my desk. I must admit that I was in a state of considerable excitement by the time Phillip entered the room. I pretended to be working and looked up severely at Phillip as he stood before me.
"What is that, boy?" I said, pointing at the door.
"The door, dad" said Phillip, clearly confused.
"Well" I said, returning to my work, "You can walk right back out of it, close it, knock and then wait for my permission to enter. Do you understand?".
Phillip scowled and kicked the rug with his shoe.
"I said: 'Do you understand?', Phillip", looking sternly at the boy.
"Yes" said the boy resentfully.
"Yes, who?" I asked.
"Yes, Sir" answered my stepson, displaying some wilfulness.
"Well, out you go, then" I said, returning to my work.
In the end I made the boy wait only a minute or two after his knock before ordering him to enter, but I kept him at attention in front of my desk for a good fifteen minutes thereafter.
"Ah, boy" I said, looking up at last. "I have decided that it is time that you and I had a little chat.".
Phillip nodded, looking somewhat nervous.
"Stand up straight, lad" I said, leaning back comfortably in my armchair, "You're not with your friends on the playground now. This is a formal interview – shoulders back, chest out!".
I watched as Phillip adjusted his posture.
"I have decided that it is time that we made some changes in your life, boy. Some rather important changes, as you will soon find out".
I crossed my legs slowly, enjoying Phillip's growing discomfort.
"Neither your mother nor I appreciate the way in which 'modern' boys are raised, and we rather think that you would benefit from a more traditional upbringing. Why, in my day, a schoolboy knew his place! He had a great deal of fun with his mates, of course, but was respectful to his superiors and accepted his punishments as a matter of course".
"But that's old fashioned" exclaimed Phillip, reddening, "Boys don't get punished anymore!".
"And more is the pity!" I said, taking out my pipe and beginning the laborious process of lighting up.
"More is the pity", I repeated when at last I took a puff, "When I was your age I was regularly caned by my headmasters and given the same treatment at home, mind you. I was seldom without some juicy cane stripes across my bottom, but I accepted that as part of everyday life. I knew exactly what was expected of me and owned up when I fell short of the mark. But more importantly – I was happy. My friends and I played together – conkers, marbles and that sort of thing – we commiserated with each other when we were beaten, compared our cuts and generally had a jolly time together. Now doesn't that sound a lot more fun that skateboarding and computer games?".
Phillip looked at me, his uncertainty clear. "I suppose so" he said, doubtfully.
"I think you mean 'I suppose so, Sir', don't you, Phillip?" I said, looking the boy in the eyes.
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir" said the boy, blushing and staring down at the carpet.
"Well" I said, taking a long draw on my pipe, "I suggest that you watch that very carefully in future, lad.".
"Yes, Sir" replied the little fellow, his cheeks still glowing, clearly humiliated at the way I was treating him.
"Oh, come on, lad!" I said, "You remember the 'William' books and the 'Billy Bunter' stories! You used to love those books, didn't you? Midnight feasts and playing truant; that sort of thing?".
"Yes, they were fun books" admitted Phillip, "I guess I haven't been reading them lately".
"Well, that's part of the problem! You should be reading those sort of books, not these modern comics you lads seem to like these days. They were real schoolboys in those days and they knew how to have real fun! Don't you think that William had a ball running around the countryside with his friends and getting up to all kinds of mischief? And wouldn't you give just about anything to have been one of Billy's mates, sharing in the excitement of his escapades?", I asked, smiling reassuringly at the lad.
"They did seem to have a lot of fun back then.", said Phillip, brightening somewhat.
"It's not as though it's all in the past, lad." I said enthusiastically, "We can still make you into a proper schoolboy, a proper schoolboy like Billy Bunter or William Brown. Yes, a lot of the necessary elements have been removed from schoolboy life – the cane and all that – but there's nothing to say that we can't recreate things here, at home, is there?".
Phillip nodded, looking almost eager for the first time.
"Yes, Sir, I suppose it could be quite fun".
"At the same time, Phillip" I said, leaning forward, "It's not going to be easy.".
I allowed this to sink in before continuing.
"You can't be a traditional schoolboy without rules, can you? I mean, where would the fun be in a bit of mischief if you weren't breaking a rule? The whole thing depends on the rules, doesn't it?".
"I suppose so, Sir".
"And you can't have rules without punishments, can you, boy? It wouldn't be any fun if nothing happened when you broke the rules. Or, if you were simply nagged endlessly or had one of these silly 'modern' punishments, like being grounded", I added reasonably.
Phillip nodded. "I see what you mean, Sir", he said.
"Well, there!" I said, pleased with the little chap's response, "You're starting to get it already! We'll have rules, The Boys' Rules I call them, and you will call me 'Sir' and l'lI call you 'Boy', and we'll have loads of fun! It will be just like in the books! We'll make you into a traditional schoolboy yet!".
"Yes, Sir" said the boy, quite excited now, "I think I've got some marbles upstairs in my cupboard! Perhaps I can find a boy who still plays marbles. It will be such fun to play again!".
"Yes" I said, slowly standing up from behind my desk, "That will be fun, but we must not forget that there is more to being a traditional schoolboy than just playing marbles and conkers".
I walked across to the boy and, taking him by the shoulder, led him to the cupboard in which I had previously placed my canes.
"Now, as I mentioned, you can't be a traditional schoolboy without rules, or The Boys' Rules, as I call them", I said, placing a hand on the cupboard door and looking back at the lad.
"And you can't be a traditional schoolboy if you don't get punished when you break The Boy's Rules, can you?".
"No, Sir" said the little fellow, looking considerably more subdued than a moment before.
With a significant look, I turned around and opened the cupboard. Reaching in, I took out the thin junior cane and held it up for Phillip to see.
"Have a good look, boy" I said, as I flexed the cane in my hands, "This is what traditional schoolboys get when they break The Boys' Rules".
Phillip blushed deeply as he watched me flexing the cane.
"No boy likes the cane, Phillip. And I am sure that you will find that you are no exception in that regard", I added, chuckling.
"But you simply can't be a traditional schoolboy without the cane. Six of the best and all that sort of thing! William Brown and Billy Bunter were all were caned and took their medicine like brave lads. Why in my day it was nothing for a boy to get 12 cuts with his trousers down! They've tried all sorts of modern disciplinary methods, but quite frankly, lad, there is no substitute for .... this".
And so saying, I swished the cane sharply through the air.
The boy jumped.
"I am very much afraid, Phillip, that we are going to have to make very good use of this cane if we are going to help you in your endeavour to become a traditional schoolboy. It's a whole new life and you are going to have to be a very brave boy " I said, looking significantly at the lad, and flexing the cane all the while.
"You can't be a traditional schoolboy without touching your toes quite regularly. You don't see Billy Bunter being 'grounded', do you? Or William being 'sent to his room'? No, its good, hard swishy cuts for traditional schoolboys!".
I gave the cane another few lashes through the air, all the while looking down at the little fellow, as he watched me seriously.
"Would you like to hold the cane, lad?" I asked, smiling down at the lad.
"Yes, Sir" replied the boy softly. Obviously afraid, but his curiosity getting the better of him.
I handed the cane to Phillip, chuckling as he cautiously flexed it.
"It's rather limber and supple, isn't it? Give it a whack through the air! Go on, it's not going to bite you. Not yet anyway.", I said, laughing at my own joke.
Phillip blushed and gave the cane an experimental flourish.
"It's delightfully swishy, isn't it. Can you imagine it whipping through the air and whacking your bottom? You wouldn't like that, would you?".
"No, Sir" replied the boy.
"No. I didn't think that you would" I said, taking the cane back from the boy.
"But I am afraid that that is not the end of the bad news".
I turned and replaced the junior cane in the cupboard, withdrawing the heavy cane with a dramatic flourish.
"This cane is a senior cane" I announced importantly, "Its longer and thicker than the whippy junior cane. And I think that you will find that it delivers a far more painful cut.".
So saying I whacked the back of the sofa with the senior cane, making the boy jump as the cane cracked loudly against the padding.
"This cane" I said, weighing it in my hands, "Would normally be used only on older boys and even then for a pretty severe beating. But it can be used on smaller boys when there is a need to make a .... ah .... lasting impression, as it were".
With one more swish of the senior cane, I replaced the rattan in the cupboard and returned to my chair behind the desk.
"Well, that's enough about punishments for now. I'm sure that we will have quite enough of that in the future. Let's return to the rules, The Boys' Rules" I said.
Phillip nodded seriously. My little demonstration with the canes had obviously had an impact on the lad.
"I have prepared a list of rules" I continued, "And I have pinned them to the back of your bedroom door, so that you will always have them available for consultation.".
Phillip nodded again.
"Now I want you to spend the next few hours perusing The Boy's Rules. And I think that we can help you in making sure that you peruse those rules thoroughly. Shall we say that you are to write them out ten times by supper time?".
"Yes, Sir" said the little fellow despondently.
"So there will be no 'skateboarding' for you, will there?".
"No, Sir".
"And make sure that it is done neatly, lad. I will be checking your lines. You don't want to blotch your copybook at this stage, as it were. You might find that there are rather painful consequences if you do!", I added, looking the lad directly in the eyes.
The boy blushed, clearly understanding my meaning.
"Alright, lad!" I said, "Well, let's make the best of it then. A traditional schoolboy you will become and I am sure that you will find that it is a lot more fun that being a boring old 'modern' boy! So chin up and do your best, and you should find that you generally stay out of trouble".
Phillip nodded. "Yes, Sir" he said, obviously feeling a bit more cheerful, perhaps at the thought of those marbles in his cupboard.
"Good lad!" I said, "Now off to your room to write those lines. Report back here after dinner, say 8 o' clock sharp. And bring your lines with you.".
Phillip turned to leave, but I stopped him with a gesture of my hand.
"One other rather more serious matter, boy", I announced gravely, "I think that we also need to mark the beginning of your new life in some way, Phillip. So I intend giving you two strokes of the junior cane this evening".
Phillip's face fell.
"But that's not fair!" he exclaimed, "I haven't done anything!".
"Oh, come on, lad!" I said, "It's only two strokes, not a full schoolboy's six of the best or anything like that. And I'll give them to you across your school shorts too".
"But I haven't done anything!".
"Well" I said, "You're not much of a traditional schoolboy if you haven't done something in the last day or so that deserves a caning – a mere two cuts, after all!".
"But it's not fair!" said Phillip, a tear glistening in the corner of his eye.
"Well, traditional schoolboys may be called upon to take an unfair hiding from time to time. The point is to bend over and take your medicine like a brave little fellow. It can only do you good, after all".
"But ...." objected Phillip, stopping when he saw me raise my hand ominously.
"Enough, Phillip. You'll take your cuts tonight. It would be unfair of me to expect you to start a new life, and make a good go at The Boys' Rules, if I didn't give you some idea of the punishments you are going to receive, wouldn't it?".
The lad looked down at his shoes, clearly not convinced.
"Now off with you before I decide to make it six of the best" I said, dismissing the lad.
The remainder of the afternoon passed quickly. I practiced a little more with the canes across Phillip's school shorts. By the time I had finished I was satisfied that I could administer a good caning, good enough to have young Phillip rubbing his backside furiously. I then worked a little on my stamp collection, although I was rather too distracted to make much progress. In the end I took a stroll around the garden, returning to find that it was almost dinner time.
After washing up, I entered the dining room to find a rather sombre Phillip, standing behind his chair. I smiled. He had obviously taken The Boys' Rules to heart.
"Well, that's much better, Phillip!" said my wife, smiling as she entered with a plate of hot vegetables, "I see that your father has done you a lot of good already! At least you're not slouching at the table as you used to do!".
The boy spent the meal rather subdued, despite my attempts at schoolboy humour.
I excused the boy at the end of the meal and reminded him of our appointment, as if he could have forgotten!
Gladys was all smiles as she cleared the dishes away and brought me my coffee.
"Are you going to give him his whipping now?" she asked, passing me the sugar.
"Well, I have decided to give him a couple of cuts, just to get things started. But I rather suspect that a more severe caning will be required in due course" I replied.
"Oh, well" said my wife, settling down comfortably on the sofa, "I am sure that you know best".
I sipped the coffee as we listened to one of my favourite quiz programmes on the radio. And, shortly before eight, I stood up to leave.
"Duty calls?" enquired Gladys with a smile. "I do so appreciate you taking the boy 'on', as it were. There is a wonderful improvement already".
"Well, let's see if we can effect some exponential improvement with a few good whacks of the cane" I said, smiling as my wife giggled.
I arrived at my study to find the boy waiting outside for me. A small bundle of papers clutched in his hands. I entered and closed the door behind me, leaving the boy out in the corridor. I had just made my arrangements by the time the clock struck eight o' clock. A moment later the boy tapped at the door and I ordered him inside.
Watching the lad closely as he approached me, I was pleased to see his eyes widen as he noticed the cane lying on my desk.
"Ah, yes!" I said bluffly, "The cane! But we will get onto that just now. Let's have a look at your lines first".
I held out my hand and took the papers from the boy.
I examined his work carefully and found that he had actually done a good job. The handwriting was neat by boyish standards and there were a surprising lack of ink blotches and other unseemly marks.
"Good lad!" I said, tearing up the pages one by one.
"So what do you think of The Boys' Rules, lad?" I asked.
"They're pretty strict, Sir" answered Phillip.
"Well" I replied, chuckling, "All schoolboys feel the rules are too strict, especially when they are caught out. They always have some excuse in order to avoid the cane".
So saying, I slowly reached across and picked up my cane, letting the boy's eyes follow my hand. I lent back comfortably in my chair, flexing the cane as I considered the little fellow standing in front of me.
"We do have some other business to deal with, don't we, Phillip?".
"Yes, Sir" said the boy despondently, his lip quivering as he watched the cane flexing in my hands.
"Caning business, if I remember correctly?" I asked, swishing the cane back and forth.
"But, Sir, please!" said Phillip desperately, "I haven't done anything! And I wrote out my lines so neatly! Please, Sir! Please don't cane me!".
"No, Phillip" I said, rising from my chair and approaching the boy slowly.
"I have decided to give you your first taste of the cane right now. We can't have you starting you new life as a traditional schoolboy without a whacking, now can we? That wouldn't be fair on you".
"But its OK, Sir! I don't need it! I can be a traditional schoolboy, I really can!" said the boy, obviously close to tears.
"It's not for a boy to decide whether he needs the cuts. If it were no boys would ever be whipped! A boy must bend over and take his medicine" I said, standing over the lad and flexing the cane.
"Now, bend over and touch your toes", I ordered the boy.
The boy blushed deeply and looked down at his shoes.
"Come now, lad" I said kindly, "I know that it's a bit embarrassing at first – bending over and presenting your bottom – but you'll quickly get used to it. Why after a while you won't think twice about it – it'll be bottoms up, a couple of whacks and it's all over! So touch your toes, boy, or would you like me to give you six of the best instead?".
With exquisite reluctance the boy bent forwards, neatly presenting his bottom beneath tightly-stretched grey flannel.
"Come on, lad!" I said jovially, as I took up my position behind him. "It's all part of the fun of being a traditional schoolboy! Yes, the cane stings like an adder's bite, but it's over soon enough. And then you can admire a fine set of stripes across your bottom!".
Phillip jumped as I lined the cane up across his shorts. I tapped his bottom a few times, carefully taking aim, and then raised the cane. I must admit that my heart was beating wildly with excitement by this point. As you may have observed, I am generally a quiet and carefully-considered fellow, but the sight of the boy, obediently bending over for me was quite overwhelming.
I took a moment to collect myself and then whipped the cane across Phillip's bottom.
"Swish! Crack!" sang the cane.
Phillip bucked forward under the stroke, gasped and then leaped into the air grabbing his buttocks frantically with both hands.
I smiled at this rather amusing sight of a schoolboy receiving his first, surprisingly-painful stroke of the cane.
A quick tap with the cane across the lad's thighs got me Phillip's attention.
"What does The Boys' Rules say boys must do when they are being beaten?" I asked, holding the lad firmly by the ear.
"Owww! Oucch! Sorry, Sir, we must remain in position, Sir! Oooouch!".
"And what happens if a boy does not remain in position while he is being beaten?".
'Please, Sir!" exclaimed the hapless lad, "He gets more!".
"Indeed" I replied ominously, "He gets more! I shall let you off this time, but do it again and you'll earn yourself extra cuts! Now bend over!".
Phillip slowly adopted the position and a moment later I was tapping his bottom with the cane, preparing to administer the second cut. Tip, tap, tip, tap!.
I kept the boy waiting a goodly while and then swished him hard again, just below the previous cut.
"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuch!" wailed the lad, clearly drawing on all his will power to prevent himself from bounding up.
"Owww! Ouchhh!".
I left him bending there for a moment, tapping his bottom with the cane.
"Alright, boy" I said, "Up you get!".
Phillip jumped up, his face red, and quickly began rubbing his caned bottom.
"No you don't" I said, tapping the lad's thighs for a second time, "What does The Boys' Rules say about boys rubbing their bottoms after a caning?".
Phillip quickly stopped his frantic rubbing.
"I'm sorry, Sir" he said, softly, "We're not allowed to rub our bottoms after the cuts unless you say we can".
"Precisely" I said, "And you omit to mention that the rules go on to say that any boy who rubs his bottom without permission can be given the cuts on his bare bottom!".
Phillip hung his head, in shame, staring down at his shoes.
"Would you like me to take down your shorts and underpants and cane your bare bottom, Phillip?".
"No, Sir!" said the lad emphatically.
"Well, I am going to let you off this time, but next time you'll find out what a bare bottom caning feels like, boy!" I promised, swishing my cane for effect. "It is impudent for a caned boy to rub his bottom without permission. And impudent boys get thrashed!".
"Yes, Sir" said Phillip, blushing at the thought of having his shorts and underpants around his ankles.
"And you can put your hands on your head for now, Phillip" I said, feeling rather cruel.
"So, how did you like your first taste of the cane, boy?" I asked, crossing the room to put the rattan away.
'Owww! I didn't like it, Sir!" exclaimed the lad.
"I rather thought you wouldn't" I said, chuckling, "but it's all part of the fun of being a traditional schoolboy".
Replacing the junior cane, I withdrew the heavy cane and walked back to the boy, flexing the rattan as I walked. I smiled at the ridiculous site of the caned boy, with his hands on his head and desperately wanting to soothe his bottom.
Phillip stared at the cane, wide-eyed.
I stood over Phillip and swished the cane with an evil smile.
"Swoosh!".
"I am very much afraid, boy" I said, "That we have not quite finished yet. I have decided to end of tonight's little demonstration with one cut of the senior cane".
"But you said that you were only going to give me two! That's not fair!" said the boy, clearly on the verge of tears, as he gazed at the cane in my hands, like a mouse caught in a snake's hypnotic gaze.
"Ah, but in retrospect I don't think that your little 'taste of the cane' will be complete without sampling the senior cane, do you?".
So saying, I placed the cane under my arm and taking a firm hold of the boy's shoulder, led him across to a leather armchair.
"Now" I said, giving the armchair a practice cut or two, 'Bend over the arm at once, lad!".
"But it's not fair!" cried the lad, bursting into tears.
"Oh, come now, lad!" I said, all the while flexing and swishing the cane, "Bend over and take your medicine like a brave boy. It's only going to be one, one of the best mind, but only one cut!".
Taking a firm grip of the boy's shoulder, I bent him over the armchair, making sure that his bottom was well presented for my cane.
The boy looked back at me over his shoulder, his eyes fixed on the cane in my hand.
I must admit that I was rather enjoying myself as I slowly took up my position behind the terrified lad, giving the cane a last flex and swish.
As I lined the cane up across the boy's seat, the lad began openly crying, begging me not to give him another cut.
"Come now, lad!" I said, resolutely tapping the cane against my young target, "It's only one good whack and then it's all over!".
I raised the cane high above my head, taking careful aim at the boy's bottom. I wanted to make sure that this stroke hit home very firmly indeed.
I let the cane hover in the air, rather enjoying the dramatic scene as the boy waited in terror for the downward lash. The lad's eyes widened as I gathered my strength and whipped the cane down hard.
"Whooosh!"
"Thwaack!".
The cane slashed across the boy's bottom. Phillip bucked against the armchair as the cane bit. A shocked silence ensued, followed a moment later by a howl of pain from the bending boy, his feet drumming on the carpet in his anguish. I left the little chap bending over the chair for a while, rather amused at his howls of pain.
A few minutes later I tapped the boy sharply across his thighs.
'Come, lad" I said firmly, "You've taken your cut. Up you get and we'll have a little chat. Then it will all be over".
The boy eased himself carefully off the chair. He stood before me, tears streaming down his face and desperately trying not to rub his caned bottom.
I smiled at the little fellow.
'You'd like to rub your bottom, wouldn't you?" I asked, smiling at the lad as I flexed the cane.
"Y .... yes, Sir!" blurted out the punished boy.
"Well" I said, "I'm going to make you wait a little longer, while we have a chat. I want all of your attention. Bend over, boy".
The lad's eyes opened wide.
"But, Sir, you said I wouldn't get any more cuts!".
I chuckled, "I'm not going to cane you anymore, boy. I just want to talk to you while you bend over. I find that boy's ears seem to work better when they are touching their toes and a cane is hovering around their bottoms! Now bend over before I do decide to give you a few more whacks after all!".
I swished the cane sharply through the air to emphasise my point.
The boy quickly touched his toes. I left him waiting there, clearly still in considerable distress. A moment later, I stepped up behind the boy and pressed the cane firmly across his bottom.
I chuckled as the lad flinched, clearly not enjoying the feel of the cane against his seat again.
"How did you like your first taste of the cane, boy?" I asked, rubbing the cane back and forth across his backside.
"I didn't like it, Sir!" said the boy between sobs.
"And would you like some more?" I asked, beginning to tap his bottom.
"No, Sir!" exclaimed the lad, looking back up at me in terror.
"Well, lad", I said, still tapping the boy with my cane, "You've started out on your new life now. You've had your first caning and you're becoming a proper schoolboy!".
"Yes, Sir" said the bending lad tearfully.
"Now what you need to do is make sure that you pay very close attention to The Boys' Rules, because from now on I won't go so easy with you. There will be severe canings in the future and you want to try to avoid those as much as possible. I also won't overlook you jumping up and down during a beating or rubbing your bottom without permission. You'll get extra cuts for that in future!" I said.
"Yes, Sir" said the boy, clearly still desperate to be released and allowed to rub his bottom.
"Well" I said, giving the lad a last few taps with the cane, "Watch your step, keep your socks pulled up, as it were, and you shouldn't get into too much trouble. But when you have been awarded a hiding, make sure that you take it like a brave little fellow. Bottoms up! A couple of juicy cuts and its all over! Understood, lad?".
"Yes, Sir" said Phillip.
"And one last thing" I said, "I am going to be especially strict with regard to you calling me 'Sir'. Watch your step very carefully, lad. Or you'll find yourself nursing a caned bottom again very soon. Understood?".
"Yes, Sir".
"Alright then, up you come, lad!" I said, giving the boy permission to rise.
He quickly stood, then looked at me expectantly, his cheeks still stained with tears.
"Oh, alright!" I said, chuckling, "Go ahead and rub your bottom!".
The boy's hands flew to his buttocks and he began to rub vigorously.
Replacing the cane, I returned to my desk, sitting down once more in my comfortable chair. I must admit, the lad did look rather comical, dancing around with his hands clutched to his bottom.
A few moments later I dismissed the boy, ordering him to say 'goodnight' to his mother and then go straight up to bed.
As I rejoined Gladys in the sitting room, she looked up with a smile.
"Phillip has just been in to say 'goodnight'. And I can see an improvement already" she said with smug satisfaction.
I enjoyed the rest of the evening, reading a novel while Gladys watched a TV program. In the end, I got an early night. I was quite exhausted by all the day's excitement.
The next morning Phillip took his seat at the breakfast table with some care.
"The cuts I gave him are obviously still making themselves felt!", I thought.
Breakfast finished, I went through to the sunroom and began reading The Times. I smiled to myself as I looked up and saw Phillip walking down the garden path off to school, on time for once. He seemed a quite different lad – his uniform neat, his cap on straight and an air about him of a boy who was not quite so sure of himself as he might have been before. I was going to enjoy applying The Boys' Rules, I thought.