This game may amuse any number, if those playing will each pleasantly
do their part.
The company should be seated in a circle and the one in charge repeats
from memory, reads from a book, or makes up a line of poetry. The
individual to whom he addresses it, must add a line of the same rhyme
and sense.
When the director has given his line, he runs three times around the
outside of the circle, or he may spin a large tin platter. The second
line of poetry _must_ be added before he completes his third round
of the circle, or before the platter has ceased to spin. Should the
line fail to be given in time, the one to give it must pay a forfeit.
The director then gives another line to another person, the game thus
continuing until all have taken part, or the players desire a change.
The director may change any time with any one of the company. Poetry of
merit is not expected.
Examples:
Director, (giving a line),
“Miss Beecher’s class came down the street.”
Answer.
“And every one looked perfectly sweet.”
Director,
“Ring, ring, rosy,”
Answer,
“I’m your Josy.”
Director,
“I wandered by the brook-side.”
Answer,
“I saw you on my morning ride.”
Another way of playing laughable rhymes, is to give each one of the
company a piece of paper and a pencil. Each paper has a verse written
on it of the same number of lines in length. But these lines are
incomplete, as each line is minus one word. This word may be the last
one of a line, or it may be any of the others. Five minutes is a fair
time to allow for the completion of these rhymes. Then the papers
should be collected and read aloud, the reader indicating the supplied
words. All failing to complete their verses within the time allowed
must pay a forfeit.
Examples:
“It fell of itself
The lazy ball
And you needn’t tell me
I let it fall
Perhaps it was tired
Like me and you
And wanted to rest
A minute or two.”