"There's a red bull that way."
"Then I'll go this way."
"There's a mad cow that way."
But the mother insists upon going into the witch's house to look for her children. The witch generally hides the children behind chairs. The mother stoops over one child: "This tastes like Monday," she says, but the witch replies: "That! it is a barrel of pork."
"No, no," says the mother, "it is my Monday, and there are the rest of the children." The children now jump out and they and their mother begin to run home; the witch runs after them, and whoever she catches becomes witch, while the witch becomes the eldest daughter.
The Ants and the Grasshopper
Lots are drawn in order to decide who shall be the grasshopper; the ants then seat themselves in a circle, while the grasshopper writes on a piece of paper the name of a grain or food which a grasshopper might be supposed to like. He puts this in his pocket and then addresses the ants:
"Dear friends, I am very hungry; would any of you kindly give me some food?"
"I have nothing but a grain of barley," says the ant spoken to.
"Thank you; that is of no use to me," replies the grasshopper, and goes on to the next player. As soon as any one offers the grain of food which the grasshopper has written down the paper must be produced, and the one who guessed the word pays a forfeit and becomes grasshopper. If no one guesses the word, the grasshopper pays a forfeit.
The game then goes on in the same way, except that a different question is asked on the second round.
"Neighbors," says the grasshopper, "I have eaten abundantly and would have a dance. Which would you recommend?"
A waltz, a polka, a quadrille, etc., are suggested, and when this question has gone the round, the grasshopper asks what music he can dance to, and the ants suggest the music of the violin, the piano, cornet, etc. Then the grasshopper says he is tired of dancing and wishes for a bed, and the ants offer him moss, straw, grass, and so on, to lie upon.
"I should sleep very comfortably," the grasshopper says, "but I am in fear of being pounced upon by a hungry bird. What bird have I most reason to fear?" The ants answer: The rook, the lark, the cuckoo, etc.
When the game is ended, the forfeits that have been lost must be called.
The Magic Whistle
All the players but three stand in two rows facing each other. One player sits at the end of the two rows, another leads a third player into the room and makes him kneel down before the player who is seated, and who is called the President.
The President then proceeds to make all sorts of "magic" passes over the kneeler's face, back, and hands. While he is doing this, the boy who led the victim in fastens a whistle to his coat. It must be slung on to a piece of string or tape, and fastened very loosely, so that it can be easily grasped and yet will not knock against the wearer's back.
The whistle is then blown by the boy who attached it, and the kneeling boy is told to rise and search for the magic whistle. The players who stand on each side must hold their hands before their mouths and pretend to blow whenever the whistle is blown, which must be as often as any one can get a chance without being found out.
The victim will search all along the rows trying to find the magic whistle, and it will be some time before he discovers that it is pinned to his own coat.
A Running Maze
Form a long line of children, one behind the other. The leader starts running, and is followed by all the rest. They must be sharp enough to do exactly as the leader does.
After running for a moment or two in the ordinary running step, the leader changes to a hopping step, then to a marching step, quick time, then to a marching step, slow time, claps and runs with hands on sides, hands on shoulders, hands behind, etc.
Finally, the leader runs slowly round and round into the center, and can either wind the children up tightly or can turn them on nearing the center and run out again. For another change the long line can start running and so unwind the spiral.
The Coach and Four
Two children stand hand-in-hand, side by side. These are the front horses. Two others, close behind, stand also hand-in-hand and side by side. These are the back horses.
Slip reins over the left arm of one of the front horses, and over the right arm of the other. The two back horses hold on the reins, standing inside them. A driver must then be chosen, who gathers up the reins in his left hand and in his right hand holds a whip.
Running beside him, equipped with a horn and parcels and letters, is another child, who acts as guard or conductor. The rest of the children form village streets, by standing in rows facing one another.
The coach and four, with the driver and guard, gallop about the room and through the villages, the guard blowing his horn and tossing out a paper or letter here and there.
Change horses every now and then, so that all may have a turn at being horses. A change of driver and guard, too, is also much appreciated.
When the children have had about enough of this game, start a cheer as the coach dashes through the villages for the last time. Two coaches greatly add to the fun and enjoyment, as they have to pass and repass each other.
Malaga Raisins
The players sit in a circle, and one who is acquainted with the trick takes a small stick in his right hand, makes some funny movements with it, and then, having taken it in his left hand, passes it to his neighbor, saying: "Malaga raisins are very good raisins, but I like Valencias better." He then tells his neighbor to do the same. Should any of the players pass on the stick with the right hand, they must pay a forfeit, but of course they must not be told what mistake they have made until the stick has been passed right round the circle.
Sally Water
This game can be played by any number of children. A ring is formed in which all join with the exception of one little girl, who kneels in the center of the ring. The children then dance round her, singing the following verses:
"Sally, Sally Water, sprinkle in the pan,
Rise, Sally, rise, Sally, for a young man;
Choose for the best and choose for the worst,
And choose the very one you love best.
"Now you're married I wish you joy,
First a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after, son and daughter,
Pray, young couple, come kiss together."
When they come to the words, "Rise, Sally!" the child in the center rises and chooses another from the ring. The next two lines are then sung, and the two children in the ring dance round and kiss. Sally then joins the ring, the second child remaining in the circle, and the game is continued as before until all the players have acted the part of Sally.
Pigeon-House Game
Make a ring of children. In the center place five or six of the smaller children of the party. This forms the pigeon-house and pigeons.
Now choose one child (boy or girl) to open or shut this old-fashioned dovecote.
He runs round the ring outside and gently pushes the children in toward the center, and close to the pigeons, who are sitting on the ground softly cooing (or not, just as they please).
This done he moves back. Let him be called the farmer or the farmer's boy, if a name is wanted.
A pretty and lively tune is now started on the piano. Directly it begins, the boy runs forward and pulls open the ring of children, which widens out with raised arms, to form pigeon-holes.
The pigeons rise to their feet and fly out of these holes, round and round the room.
As the music begins to stop and die away, the pigeons should return to their dovecote, and when the last note sounds they should all be settled again. The farmer's boy now runs round the ring, closing it in and making all safe for the night.
This game can be played without music, and the elder children can take their turn at being pigeons.
Oats and Beans and Barley
All the children form a ring with the exception of one player, who stands in the center. The children then dance round this one, singing the first three lines of the verses given below. At the fourth line they stop dancing and act the words that are sung. They pretend to scatter seed; they stand at ease, stamp their feet, clap their hands, and at the words: "Turn him round," each child turns round.
They then again clap hands and dance round, and when the words, "Open the ring and take one in," are sung, the center child chooses a partner, who steps into the ring, and the two stand together while the other children sing the remaining verse, after which the child who was first in the center joins the ring and the game is continued as before.
"Oats and beans and barley O!
Do you or I or any one know
How oats and beans and barley grow?
"First the farmer sows his seed,
Then he stands and takes his ease,
Stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns him round to view the land.
"Oats and beans and barley O!
Waiting for a partner, waiting for a partner.
Open a ring and send one in.
Oats and beans and barley O!
"So now you're married you must obey,
You must be true to all you say,
You must be kind, you must be good,
And help your wife to chop the wood.
Oats and beans and barley O!"
Bingo
"The miller's dog lay at the mill,
And his name was little Bingo,
B with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
His name was little Bingo.
"The miller he bought some peppermint,
And he called it right good Stingo,
S with a T, T with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
He called it right good Stingo."
One child represents the miller, the rest stand round him in a circle, and all dance round and sing the verses. When it comes to the spelling part of the rhyme, the miller points to a child, who must call out the right letter.
Any one who makes a mistake must pay a forfeit.
Lubin Loo
This game can be played by any number of children. The players form a ring by clasping hands; they then dance round singing the first verse, which after the second verse serves as a chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo,
Here we dance lubin, light,
Here we dance lubin, loo,
On a Saturday night."
While singing the second verse, the children stop, unclasp their hands and suit their actions to the words contained in the verse.
"I put my right hand in,
I put my right hand out,
I give my right hand shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Each child while singing this first stretches her right arm toward the center of the ring, then draws the same arm back as far as possible, next shakes or swings her right hand, and when the last line is sung she turns right round. The children then once more join hands, and commence dancing, at the same time singing the chorus. The game proceeds as before until all the verses have been sung. Here are the remaining verses:
"Here we dance the lubin, loo,
Here we dance lubin, light,
Here we dance lubin, loo,
On a Saturday night.
"I put my left hand in,
I put my left hand out,
I give my left hand shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo," etc.
"I put my right foot in,
I put my right foot out,
I give my right foot shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo," etc.
"I put my left foot in,
I put my left foot out,
I give my left foot shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo," etc.
"I put my own head in,
I put my own head out,
I give my own head shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"I put my both hands in,
I put my both hands out,
I give my both hands shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo," etc.
"I put my both feet in,
I put my both feet out,
I give my both feet shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself about."
Chorus.
"Here we dance lubin, loo," etc.
The Little Lady
For this game a number of pieces of rolled-up paper to represent horns are required. Whoever makes a mistake in the game has a horn stuck in her hair; or, if little boys are playing, the horns might be stuck behind the ears.
The leader of the game begins by saying to her right hand neighbor: "Good morning, pretty lady, always pretty; I, a pretty lady, always pretty, come from that pretty lady, always pretty" (here she points to the girl on her left), "to tell you that she owns an eagle with a golden beak."
The next player turns to her right-hand neighbor, saying: "Good morning, pretty lady, always pretty; I, a pretty lady, always pretty, come from that pretty lady, always pretty" (here she points to the last speaker), "to tell you that she owns an eagle with a golden beak and silver claws."
The next girl continues the story word for word, adding "a rare skin." The next adds "diamond eyes," and the next "purple feathers." If there are a great number of children, other charms must be added to the eagle, but each child must say the whole of the story, and for each mistake made she receives a paper horn, which must be stuck somewhere about the head. At the end of the game a forfeit must be paid for each of these horns.
"Birds Fly"
This is a very simple game. Each player places a finger on the table, which he must-raise whenever the conductor of the game says: "Birds fly," "Pigeons fly," or any other winged creates "fly."
If he names any creature without wings, such as "Pigs fly," and any player thoughtlessly raises his finger, that player must pay a forfeit, as he must also do if he omits to raise his finger when a winged creature is named.
I Say Stoop
Teacher says to the class: "I say stoop."
Upon the word stoop all the children must stoop. If they do not they must be seated. The teacher must say "I say stand." The children must stand. If they do not they must be seated.
This game will cause the children to think quickly, and to act quickly.
The teacher can say: "I say fold the hands behind the back.
"I say take a deep breath of air."
"I say hands on hips."
"I say raise the arms over the head."
Anything else may be substituted; those who are slow to act and think must be seated.
The one who remains standing the longest wins.
Flag Race
Players seated at desks. Rows need not be full, but there must be same number in each row. Choose a player to stand in front of each row to hold the flag, and another to stand at the rear of each row. At the signal the rear player of each row rises, runs to the front, takes the flag from the one holding it, carries it to the one standing at the rear, and takes his seat. As soon as he is seated the next player goes and takes the flag back to the player in front. This continues till all have run. Be sure that no team has an unfair advantage because of the positions taken by the flag holders.
Squirrel and Nut
Players all seated, but one, heads on desks and eyes covered, one hand open on desk with palm up. The odd player is a squirrel and passes up and down between the rows and puts a nut in the hand of some player.... This one rises and chases the squirrel. If the squirrel is caught before he can reach his own seat, the one who caught him becomes squirrel; if the squirrel is not caught, he can be squirrel again.
Racing and Counting Scores
Make a scoreboard on the blackboard, indicating each row by a number of letter. Players run as in "Racing" (First Grade, First Half Year). Have front players run, tag front wall and return to seats, sit erect; mark score; others in a similar manner. Repeat, runners tagging rear wall. See which row has largest score.
School-room Basket Ball
Place a basket in the front seat of the second row and another in the front seat of next to last row. Draw a throwing line on floor 20 feet from each basket. At some time beforehand choose four captains and have these captains choose teams, choosing in turn. Teams stand at least two rows apart and behind throwing line, each team having a ball. Captains stand beyond baskets, two captains at same basket. Each captain passes the ball in turn to his players and they throw for the basket. Team throwing the most baskets in a round wins one point, first to get five points wins the contest.
Last Man
Players seated at desks. Rows playing must be full rows. The game is much like "Fox and Squirrel" (see First Grade, Second Half Year). One player is "it," and there is one runner, besides the full rows of seats. The runner may come to the front of any row and call "Last Man," and then each player in that row must move back one place, leaving the front seat for the runner, who is now safe. The last one in the rear of the row will be out of a place and thus becomes runner. When a runner is tagged, he is "it," and the one who caught him becomes runner and must get out of the way at once.
Changing Seats
Players seated at desks. When teacher commands "Change right," all move one place to right and the right hand row stands. In like manner the command may be "Change front," "Change back," or "Change left." At first it is best to follow each change by the reverse, so as to allow those standing to get seats, but later they may be told that they must run to the vacant seats on the opposite side or end of the room. Leaders may be chosen to act in place of the teacher.
Huckle, Buckle, Beanstalk
The children close their eyes and put their heads on their desks. A small object—a thimble or button—is placed in plain sight. At a signal, the children move about the room, and when they see it, take their seats without making any sign of its whereabouts. The first one to see it may hide it the next time.
Blackboard Relay
This is like the blackboard relay played in the third grade, but instead of marks and letters, words must be written; these may be required to form a sentence, numbers may be written and afterwards added, subtracted, etc., by the succeeding players, or each player may write his own name. It is often interesting to have the last player required to erase all his team has written, or each child may erase his own writing, passing the eraser as he did the chalk.
Hide the Thimble
One child goes out of the room. A thimble or button is placed in plain sight by another child. The one who was sent out is then guided to the object by the clapping of the children—soft clapping for "cold," and louder for "warm."
Suggestive Breathing Work
1. March winds whistling through the trees. Inhale a deep breath and imitate the wind.
2. Keeping a feather in the air. Run with head back and blow short breaths, keeping an imaginary feather from falling to the ground.
3. Making Ocean Waves. By blowing the water in a large basin.
The Fox Chase
Four farmers are in their home in the country enjoying a quiet evening.
They hear a sound outside, they watch and listen and decide that the foxes are near the cabin. They wait until they are very close, then give chase—and catch as many as they can before the foxes have reached their home in the forest. All caught become farmers and help to catch the rest.
Poison
The players join hands to form a circle. About ten erasers are placed in the center of the circle, with spaces between them through which a player might step. The players then try by means of pushing or pulling their comrades by means of clasped hands, to make them knock over the erasers. Any player who knocks over an eraser or who unclasps hands must take his seat, the erasers again being replaced. The first players so leaving the circle form a scrub circle. The player wins who remains longest in the first circle.
Slap-Jack
All the pupils are seated except one. The odd player walks or runs through the aisles, touching some player, and runs around the room in the direction he is going. The one touched immediately leaves his seat, and runs around the room in the opposite direction. The first one back in the empty seat wins.
Dodging through the aisles to shorten the distance is not allowed. The run must be around the outside of the room.
Crow's Race
All players form in a straight line. Grasp just above ankles and on "Go," run a very short distance and return, keeping hold above ankles all the time.
Riding the Bicycle
Hands in position in front, as though grasping the handle-bars, running in place with lifting the knee high and pointing toe to the ground. The same movement, traveling forward with short, quick steps.
Cat and Rat
Children form a circle around the room, with hands joined. A "cat" is chosen to stand outside the circle, a "rat" to stand inside. The players are friends of the rat, and raise their arms to let him under, but keep them down when the cat tries to get through. The cat chases the rat in and out of the circle, among desks and over seats, till the "rat" is caught, when a new cat and rat are chosen.
Jumping the Rope
This makes a splendid combination exercise. Swing the arms in a large circle, as though swinging the rope, and jump each time that the rope comes down. Travel forward with the same exercises, jumping and landing on one foot instead of both.
Teacher
The children stand or sit in one line. One is teacher and he or she throws a bean bag or soft ball in rotation down the line, the child missing goes to the front. When the teacher misses he or she goes to the foot and the child at the head becomes teacher. No bad or swift throws are counted.
Bird-Catcher
This game is a great favorite with all the children, even in the upper grades. Two players are chosen as bird-catchers, and stand in one corner of the room. The "mother-bird" is chosen to stand in another "nest" in the other front corner of the room. The other players are named in groups (those in one row of seats usually) for various birds, "robins," "wrens," etc. As the name of each group of birds is called, they go to the back of the room, and, at a signal, run to the "mother-bird's nest." The bird-catchers try to catch them before they reach it. The "birds" dodge in and out among the desks, jumping over the seats, etc. The mother-bird and bird-catchers count their birds at the end of the game, and all "fly" back to their seats; that is, wave their arms and skip to their seats.
Tag Me, or Heads Up
The pupils, upon the command of the player who is the leader and stands in front of the class, fold their arms upon the desk and lower the head upon the arms. The leader has an eraser or other article which he places upon one of the desks. He commands "Heads up" and the pupils raise their heads. The one finding the eraser on his seat rises and chases the leader. If he catches him he becomes the leader; if not, the first one is again the leader. If they fail to catch him after two trials he chooses another leader.
An Eraser Game
A boy places a rubber eraser, or any small object, on the desk of a girl. She takes the eraser and chases him around the room to his seat. If she tags him, he goes to the corner to stand, with others who are caught, till the end of the game. The girl then puts the eraser on a boy's desk, and the game continues.
Circle Ball
Children stand in a circle around the room; one stands in the center, with a bean bag or ball, and makes quick throws to children in different parts of the circle.
Seat Tag—A School-room Game
The one starting the game runs and tags someone near and gets to that child's seat as quickly as he can. The child tries to tag him on the way. If he tags him the one tagged must go in the mush pot, that is, to go to the front of the room and sit down. The one who caught him continues the game, and when another one gets in the mush pot the first one is permitted to take his seat. The game continues until all have had a run.
The runs should all be very short to make the game go quickly.
Dead Ball
Children stand by desks. A tennis or soft rubber ball is thrown among the players. The child hit sits and is out of the game. The child standing near where the ball falls throws it the next time.
Preliminary Ball
Children stand in rows, facing each other, two rows of desks between them, those on one side having bean bags. On the teacher's counts they throw to those in the row opposite, throwing and catching with both hands. After a given number of throws, they put the left hand behind them, throwing and catching with the right hand; the same with the left hand. This is good muscular training.
Dodge
Players divide into equal groups. One group forms a circle, the other within. Outside group has a volley or an outdoor baseball with which they try to hit the one's (players) within. As soon as one is hit he must immediately join the circle and help hit the others. When all have been tagged in this way, groups change places and repeat. The two players who were last to be hit in the two games are captains to choose up for the next time.
Third Man
Played much like "Three Deep." Players stand in couples, facing each other, couples scattered in any way around the room. The runner is free from being tagged when he steps between the two players of any couple, and the chaser must chase the one toward whom the runner turns his back.
Fox and Chickens
Choose a player to be fox and another to be the mother hen. The players are the chickens and all form in a line behind the mother hen, and each one grasping the waist of the one in front. The fox tries to tag the last chicken; the line, led by the mother hen, turns and tries to keep between the fox and that chicken. When the last chicken is tagged he becomes fox, and the mother hen chooses another player in her place.
Eraser Relay
Place an eraser on the front desk of alternate rows. At a signal to start the first child in each row takes the eraser in both hands and passes it over his head to the child behind him. This continues till the last child receives it. The last child runs forward with it, running down the right aisle. On reaching the front seat, his entire row moves one seat backward, so as to leave an empty seat in front. The runner then sits down in the empty seat and passes the eraser backward with both hands as before stated.
The changing of seats should be on the left side.
The game ends when each child is returned to his own seat.
School-room Tag
Mark a circle on floor in front of desks. Choose a player to be "it." He stands near but not in the circle and calls the names of three players. The players must rise and try to reach the circle without being tagged. They run in any style in either direction.
The first one tagged is "it" and the game continues as before. If none are caught, three more are named. Encourage naming players who have not been called.
The Serpentine Maze
Players all in single file, teacher leading. Each player reaches right hand forward to player next in front and left hand back, grasping hands. March forward, circling to left and winding up into a spiral. When tightly wound, last player should lead, all turn about to left and wind up, circling to right. Several variations should be used later:
1. Same as first method without grasping hands.
2. When wound as far as possible and leave enough space, teach circles right from center of spiral and line follows, passing out in a reverse spiral; this is done first grasping hands and later without.
3. When leader reaches center of spiral, tight wound, she signals to players in some direction and they lift arms, forming arches, under which the line may pass, teacher leading, hands are kept grasped in this case.
Teacher and Class
Similar to "School Ball." A leader is chosen for each group of eight or ten players, the players in a line and the leader eight or ten feet away at the side. A row in the school-room may be taken as a group, with a leader standing in front. The leader tosses the ball or bean bag to the players in turn, beginning at the head. Any player missing goes to the foot. If the leader misses he goes to the foot and the one at the head becomes leader. If the ball goes twice around and the leader does not miss, he goes in the line just above those who have missed and the head player becomes leader.
Blackboard Relay
The competing rows must be placed where there is a blackboard at the front of each row. First player of each row has a piece of chalk. At the signal he runs to the board and makes a mark with the chalk, then he returns to his seat, and hands the chalk to the next player, who runs and marks in his turn. Later, players may be required to make a cross, circles, capital letters, small letters, add columns of numbers, write words, construct sentences. The teacher is the judge as to whether the marks come up to the requirements, and each team is charged with a foul for each defect.
Tag the Wall Relay
This is like "Racing" (See First Grade), but more continuous. Two or more rows compete. The player in the back seat rises at a signal from the teacher, runs forward down the aisle, tags the wall at the front of the room, and returns to his seat. As soon as he has reached his seat the player next in front of him does the same, the relay being complete when each player in turn has run. The line whose front player is seated first wins.
Slow Poke (Indoors)
Alternate rows of children are chosen. On a signal from the teacher, the last children in the alternate rows, run down the aisles, turn to their left; run down the other aisle, turn on reaching their seats, and tag the person who sits in front of them. The person tagged does as the first person did, tagging the person in front only when he reaches his starting place. Each person running when tagged. Equal numbers should be chosen for each row. The object of the game is to see which row is the winner, depending entirely upon alertness, quickness of mind and honesty in playing with fellow students.
TRICKS AND PUZZLES
Any one who wishes to play a trick or show off a puzzle should test it privately, before attempting to show it before company, for often, owing to some slight error, the trick may at first prove a failure, whereas a little practice will soon make one perfect.
The Dancing Egg
Get a hard-boiled egg and place it on the reverse side of a smooth polished plate or bread-platter. If you now turn the plate round while holding it in a horizontal position, the egg, which is in the middle of it, will turn round also, and as the pace is quickened, the egg will move more and more quickly, until it stands up on one end and spins round like a top. In order to be quite sure that the experiment will succeed, you should keep the egg upright while it is being boiled, so that the inside may be hardened in the proper position.
The Magic Thread
Soak a piece of thread in a solution of salt or alum (of course, your audience must not know you have done this). When dry, borrow a very light ring and fix it to the thread. Apply the thread to the flame of a candle; it will burn to ashes, but will still support the ring.
The Swimming Needles
There are several ways of making a needle float on the surface of the water.
The simplest way is to place a piece of tissue paper on the water and lay the needle on it; the paper soon becomes soaked with water and sinks to the bottom, while the needle is left floating on the top.
Another method is to hang the needle in two slings made of threads, which must be carefully drawn away as soon as the needle floats.
You can also make the needle float by simply holding it in your fingers and laying it on the water. This, however, requires a very steady hand.
If you magnetize a sewing-needle by rubbing it on a fairly strong magnet and float it on the water, it will make an extremely sensitive compass; and if you place two needles on the water at the same time, you will see them slowly approach each other until they float side by side, that is, if they do not strike together so heavily as to cause them to sink.
The Bridge of Knives
Three knives may be supported by their handles in the following manner: Place three glasses in a triangle, each side of which must be about the length of one of the knives. The blade of the first knife should rest on the blade of the second, by passing over it near to the point where the handle and blade are joined; the blade of the second passing in the same manner over the blade of the third, which is to be made to rest on the blade of the first. The handles being then carefully placed upon the glasses, a bridge is formed strong enough to bear a considerable weight.
To Balance a Coffee-Cup on the Point of a Knife
The articles necessary for the performance of this trick are very simple, a dinner-fork and an ordinary sized cork being all that are needed. Fix the cork firmly in the handle of the fork, then stick the fork into it so that two prongs shall be on each side of the cup handle, and slope the fork in such a way that its handle will come under the bottom of the cup. The heaviest weight being thus brought underneath, you can hold the cup on the point of a knife, if you very carefully find the exact place on which it will balance.
As the surface of the cup is usually glazed, the hand which holds the knife must not tremble, or the cup will slip off.
You may also obtain the same result by using two knives instead of a fork.
The Obstinate Cork
Take a small cork and ask some one to blow it into a fairly large sized, ordinary bottle that has a neck.
This seems to be quite an easy matter. The one who tries it will probably blow as hard as possible upon the little cork; but, instead of going into the bottle, as expected, it will simply fall down. The harder the puffs or blows, the more obstinate the cork will appear to be; and even if the effect of blowing gently be tried, it will be of no use; the cork will not go into the bottle, much to the amusement of those who are watching. The reason why the cork will not go in is this: The bottle being already full of air, when the cork is blown, more air will be forced into the bottle, and consequently the air inside will be greatly compressed and will simply force the cork back. The following is a simple way of overcoming the difficulty: Instead of trying to force the cork through the compressed air in the bottle, just the contrary should be tried, that is, some of the air should be sucked out of the bottle; this being done, the bottle will become partly emptied, and when the outside air rushes in to fill up the empty space, it will carry the cork with it to the bottom of the bottle.
Six and Five Make Nine
This is a simple little puzzle. Take eleven strips of cardboard, lay six of them at exactly equal distances on the table, and ask one of the company to add the five other strips and yet only make nine. It is done by placing six of them parallel to each other—the others are used to spell out the word nine.