being bent to bring the hand toward the chest. Three or four pennies
are placed in a pile on the bent elbow. Suddenly the elbow is dropped
and the same hand moved downward quickly in an effort to catch the
pennies before they fall to the ground.
CHINESE GET-UP.--Two persons sit on the floor back to back with arms
locked, and retaining such relative positions they try to stand
upright.
COIN AND CARD SNAP.--Balance a visiting card on the tip of the middle
or forefinger. On top of the card place a dime or nickle; this should
be exactly over the tip of the finger and in the middle of the card.
Snap the edge of the card with a finger of the other hand, so that the
card will be shot from under the coin and leave the coin balanced on
the finger.
DOG COLLAR.--Two players on hands and knees on a mat, rug, or cushion,
face each other with about three feet distance between them. A knotted
towel or a strap, or anything that will not chafe or cut the flesh, is
thrown over both heads like a collar, being long enough to encircle
the two. The head should be held well upward to prevent this from
slipping off. At a signal, the players pull against each other, each
trying to pull the opponent from the mat or to pull the collar from
around his neck.
DOG JUMP.--The performer holds a stick horizontally between the
forefingers of his hands, pressing with the fingers to keep it from
falling. Keeping the stick in this position, he should jump over it
forward and then backward. The same feat may be performed by pressing
together the middle fingers of the two hands without a stick and
jumping over them forward and backward, as a dog jumps through curved
arms.
DOT AND CARRY TWO.--This is a spectacular feat of strength for three
performers, A, B, and C. They stand in line, side by side, A standing
in the center with B on his right and C on his left. He stoops down
and passes his right hand behind the left thigh of B, and clasps B's
right hand. He then passes his left hand behind C's right thigh, and
takes hold of C's left hand. B and C pass each one arm around A's
neck, and A, by raising himself gradually to a standing position, will
find that he is able to lift the other two from the ground.
HAND STAND SALUTE.--A player is required to stand on his hands with
legs stretched at full length in the air, and then wriggle the feet at
the ankles.
HEEL AND TOE SPRING.--A line is drawn on the floor. The performer
places his heels against this line, bends down, grasps the toes with
the fingers underneath the feet and pointing backward toward the
heels. He then leans forward slightly to get an impetus, and jumps
backward over the line.
This same feat may be reversed. Standing in the same position, the
performer toes a line and jumps over it forward.
JUG HANDLE.--The performer places his hands across the chest, with the
tips of the middle fingers touching and the elbows extending on each
side like a jug handle. Another player tries to pull the arms apart,
either by working at them separately or together. Jerking is not
permissible; the pull must be steady.
Until one has tried this, it is surprising to find that even a strong
person cannot overcome a weaker one in this position.
LAST AND FIRST.--Place one foot immediately behind the other. On the
rear foot place a small object, such as a light book, a slipper, or a
small stick. With a sudden movement lift the forward foot, at the same
instant hopping on the rear foot with a kicking movement forward, so
as to throw the object forward beyond a given mark.
LATH AND PLASTER.--Rub the top of the head with one hand, and
simultaneously pat the chest with the other hand. Reverse the
movement, patting the head and rubbing the chest. Do each of these
things with the hands changed, the hand that was on the chest being
placed on the head, and _vice versa_.
PICK ME UP.--The performer is required to stand against the wall, drop
a handkerchief at his feet, and without bending the knees stoop and
pick up the handkerchief.
PICK UP AND PUSH UP.--A line is drawn about two feet from a wall,
which is toed by the performer, facing the wall. Between the line and
the wall is placed a stool directly in front of the performer. The
player leans forward, puts the top of his head against the wall, picks
up the stool with his hands, and pushes himself backward to an upright
position, getting an impetus from the head only, and lifting the stool
as he does so.
PINCUSHION.--On a chair having a cane or rush or wooden bottom a pin
is stuck on the edge of the seat, or just under the edge, well around
on one side toward the back. The performer starts sitting in the
chair, and without leaving it, or touching his hands or feet to the
floor, must reach around so as to remove the pin with his teeth.
PRAY DO.--A line is marked on the floor. The performer stands with his
toes on the line, and without using his hands or moving his feet,
kneels down and gets up again.
RABBIT HOP.--This should be done on a soft mat or cushion. The
performer kneels; then sits back on the heels and grasps the insteps
with his hands. From this position he leans suddenly forward, and
while doing so pulls the feet up from the floor. In the instant that
his weight is released, he hitches forward on the knees, the two knees
moving forward alternately.
ROTARY.--Raise both arms above the head. Move both with a rotary
motion in opposite directions, describing a circle in the air, with
the right hand moving forward and with the left moving backward
simultaneously.
Extend both arms in slanting position downward from the shoulders,
elbows straight. Describe circles in the air with both arms, the hands
at about the level of the hips, the right turning forward and the left
backward.
"RUBBER NECK."--In this feat a kneeling performer is required to pick
a card up from the floor with his teeth, both hands being behind his
back. The card is placed in front of him at the length of his forearm
and hand from one knee. This distance is measured by placing the elbow
against the knee and stretching the forearm and the hand at full
length on the floor; the point which the middle finger reaches is the
point at which the card must be placed. The card has the ends folded
down so as to rest like a small table on the floor. The nearer edge of
it must rest on the line determined as above specified.
SCALES.--Hold a weight out at arm's length for a given time.
SIAMESE TWINS.--Two players (two boys or two girls), of about the same
height and weight, stand back to back and lock arms. The object is to
walk in one direction, using first the legs of one player and then
those of the other. This may be done by one player moving his feet
forward slightly. This is accomplished by both bending the knees, and
the player on the side toward which progress is to be made sliding his
feet forward. Bracing his feet in the new position, he straightens his
entire body upright, drawing the rear player after him until both are
in the same relative position as at the start. This constitutes one
step, and is repeated over as long a distance as may be specified or
desired.
[Illustration: SKIN THE SNAKE
_Reprinted from Dr. Isaac T. Headland's "Chinese Boy and Girl," by
kind permission of Messrs. Fleming H. Revell and Co._
]
SKIN THE SNAKE.--This is a feat for several performers--from five to
fifty or more, and is suitable for the gymnasium. The players stand in
a line, one behind another, with a short distance between. Each player
bends forward and stretches one hand backward between his legs, while
with the other hand he grasps that of the player in front, who has
assumed the same position. When all are in position, the line begins
backing, the player at the rear end of the line lying down on his
back, and the next player walking backward astride over him until he
can go no farther, when he also lies down with the first player's head
between his legs. This backing and lying-down movement continues until
all the players are lying in a straight line on the floor. Then the
last one to lie down gets up and walks astride the line toward the
front, raising the man next behind him to his feet, and so on until
all again are standing in the original position. The grasp of hands is
retained throughout.
It hardly need be said that this game is of Chinese origin. It
makes a very funny spectacle, especially if done rapidly.
STOOPING PUSH.--Draw a line on the floor. Toe it with the feet spread
wide apart. Reach around outside of the legs and grasp a light
dumb-bell or other object of similar weight with both hands; throw or
slide it forward on the floor from between the feet, the hands being
kept together throughout. The object is to see how far the dumb-bell
may be thrown without the player losing his balance.
TANTALUS.--The left foot and leg and left cheek are placed close
against the wall. The right foot is then slightly lifted in an effort
to touch the left knee. Having reached it, the position should be
steadily maintained for a few moments.
THUMB SPRING.--This is similar to the Wall Spring, but differs both in
method of execution and in general difficulty. The performer places
the inner side of the thumbs against a wall, or the edge of a table or
window sill may be used. No other part of the hands should touch this
surface. The feet should then be moved as far backward as possible.
The body will then be leaning forward; and from this position, without
any movement of the feet, a sudden push should be made from the
thumbs, the object being to recover the upright position. It is well
to begin with a slight distance and work up to a greater one.
WALL PIVOT.--One foot is placed against a wall at about the height of
the knee. The other foot is thrown over it, the body making a complete
turn in the air, so that the free foot may touch the ground in time to
sustain the weight before a tumble. Thus, if the right foot be placed
against the wall, the left leg will be thrown over it and the body
turned over toward the right, the left foot being replaced on the
floor to receive the weight. This is usually easier if done with a
short run, and is best practiced on a thick gymnasium mattress.
WALL SPRING.--The performer should stand facing a wall and a short
distance from it. Keeping his feet in one spot, he should lean forward
and place the palms of his hands flat against the wall; from this
position he should then make a sudden push and spring backward to an
upright position. With some practice, this may be done with a very
considerable distance between the feet and the wall.
WOODEN SOLDIER.--The arms are folded across the chest. In this
position the performer is required to lie down on the back and rise
again to an upright standing position, without assistance from either
hands or elbows.
WRIGGLE WALK.--The performer stands with heels together and toes
pointed outward. Simultaneously he raises the right toes and the left
heel, and turns them toward the same direction, the right toes inward
and the left heel outward, pivoting on the opposite toe and heel. This
is then reversed, so as to continue progress in the same direction.
Resting on the toes and heel just moved, he lifts the opposite ones;
that is, the left toes moving outward, the right heel moving inward,
and so progresses for a specified distance.
IV. FORFEITS
Many of the things described in the previous section of this
chapter may be used as forfeits.
Forfeits are used in many games as a penalty for failure, and
may be an occasion for much merriment. The usual method of
collecting and disposing of the forfeits is for each player
when he fails, to deposit with some one person designated for
the purpose some article which shall serve to identify him when
the penalties are assigned. This may be a ring, some small
article from the pocket, a bonbon, a pebble, or flower, a bit
of ribbon, or other ornament of dress.
When the game is over, the forfeits are redeemed. For this
purpose one player is chosen as the judge, who is seated.
Behind him stands a player who takes one article at a time from
the pile of collected forfeits, holds it over the head of the
judge so that he may not see it, and says, "Heavy, heavy hangs
over thy head."
The judge then asks, "Fine or superfine?" (meaning, boy or
girl?)
The holder answers, "Fine," if a boy, and "Superfine," if a
girl, and adds, "What must the owner do to redeem it?"
The judge then pronounces sentence. Part of the sport of this
imposing of penalties for forfeits is the ignorance of the
judge as to who is the owner of the forfeit.
The following penalties are appropriate for the paying of
forfeits, and many of the feats previously described are also
suitable.
The practice of forfeits is prehistoric, and is thought to have
originated in the custom of paying ransom for immunity from
punishment for crimes. As used in games of later years, the
main object has been to make the offender ridiculous.
AFFIRMATIVE, THE.--A player is required to ask a question that cannot
be answered in the negative. The question is, "What does y-e-s spell?"
BLARNEY STONE.--The player is required to pay a compliment to each
person in the room in turn.
BLIND WALTZ.--Two players are blindfolded and told to waltz together.
CHEW THE STRING.--Two bonbons are wrapped in paper and tied each to a
piece of string six yards in length. These are placed on the floor at
a distance from each other, the free end of each string being given
to one of the two players who are assigned to this penalty. At a
signal, each player puts his piece of string in his mouth, and with
hands behind back chews rapidly at the string, trying to get it all
into the mouth. The one who first gets to his piece of candy is
rewarded by having both pieces.
CONSTANTINOPLE.--The player is required to "Spell Constantinople, one
syllable at a time." As soon as he gets to the letter "_i_," all of
the other players shout the following syllable, "No!" The speller
naturally thinks that he has made a mistake, and commences again. Each
time that he gets to the letter "_i_," the same cry of "No" is made,
and the poor victim may become very much confused, and doubt his own
memory as to spelling before he discovers the trick.
CORDIAL GREETING, A.--This penalty is imposed upon two players at
once. They are blindfolded and led to opposite corners of the room.
They are then told to go toward each other and shake hands.
CRAWL, THE.--The player is required to leave the room with two legs
and come back with six. He does this by bringing a chair with him when
he returns.
DANGEROUS POSITION, A.--The player is required to sit upon the fire.
This is done by writing the words "the fire" on a slip of paper, and
then sitting on it.
ENNUI.--The player is required to yawn until he makes some one else
yawn.
FOOTBALL.--A ball the size of an orange is made of crumpled paper. It
is placed on the floor, and the player is required to stand at a point
three times the length of his foot from the ball. From this point he
is required without bending the knees to kick the ball out of the way.
FORUM, THE.--The player is required to make a speech on any subject
assigned by the judge.
FOUR FEET.--The player is required to put four feet against the wall.
He does this by placing the feet of a chair against the wall.
GRASSHOPPER.--The player is required to hold one foot in his hand and
hop on the other around the room.
HAND-TO-HAND.--A player is given some small article to hold in each
hand, such as a flower or lead pencil, and required to stretch both
arms at full length sideways, the right arm to the right and the left
arm to the left. He is then required to bring both articles into one
hand without bending shoulders or elbows; or, to state it differently,
without bringing the hands any nearer together. This may be done by
placing one of the objects on a table with one hand, turning around,
and picking it up with the other hand.
HAYSTACK.--A player is required to make a pile of chairs as high as
his head, and then take off his shoes and jump over them. (Jump over
the shoes.)
HOTTENTOT TACKLE.--The player is required to cross the arms and grasp
the left ear with the right hand and the nose with the left hand. He
is then suddenly to release the grasp and reverse the position of the
hands, grasping the right ear with the left hand and the nose with the
right hand. This should be repeated several times in quick succession.
INSIDE AND OUT.--The player is required to kiss a book inside and
outside without opening it. He accomplishes this seemingly impossible
task by taking the book out of the room, kissing it there, coming
back, and kissing it again inside the room.
JINGLES.--The player is given two pairs of rhymes and required to
write a verse of four lines ending with the prescribed rhymes. This
same forfeit may be imposed on several different players at once, an
added interest arising from comparison of the finished verses.
KNIGHT OF THE RUEFUL COUNTENANCE.--This requires two players, one who
is assigned to be the knight and the other to be the squire.
The squire takes the knight by the arm and leads him before each lady
present. The squire kisses the hand of each lady in turn, and after
each kiss carefully wipes the knight's mouth with a handkerchief. The
knight must display his grief at the loss of so many opportunities by
preserving throughout an unsmiling countenance.
LITTLE DOG TRAY.--The player is required to crawl under the table on
all fours and bark like a dog.
LITTLE GERMAN BAND, THE.--Three or four players are told to imitate a
little German band, each being required to represent a certain
instrument, and all to join in rendering some popular air, which
should be assigned.
LITTLE SUNSHINE.--The player is required to walk around the room and
bestow a smile on each person in turn.
LUNCH COUNTER.--An apple is suspended at head height on the end of a
string from a chandelier or portière pole. The delinquent player is
required to walk up to the apple and take a bite from it without help
from the hands. For obvious reasons, only one person should be allowed
to bite at an apple.
MOODS.--The player is required to laugh in one corner of the room, to
sing in the second corner, to cry in the third, and to whistle or
dance in the fourth.
NEGATIVE SIDE, THE.--The player is required to answer "No" to a
question put to him by each member of the company in turn. This may be
made very funny if he be required, for instance, thereby to express
dislike for his favorite occupations or friends.
PILGRIMAGE TO ROME, A.--The judge announces that the player who is to
redeem this forfeit is about to make a pilgrimage to Rome, and
requests that each member of the company give him something to take on
his journey. The pilgrim is then required to pass around the room
while each person, in turn, presents him with some article, the more
inappropriate or difficult or cumbersome to carry the better. These
may consist, for instance, of a small chair, a sofa pillow, a house
plant, a big basket, a lunch consisting of a nut, etc. These must all
be carried at once, and when all have been collected, the pilgrim must
make one entire round of the room before laying any of them down.
SAFETY POINT.--The player is required to put one hand where the other
cannot touch it. He does this by placing the right hand on the left
elbow, or _vice versa_.
SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR.--Two players are required to stand upon an
open newspaper in such a manner that they cannot possibly touch one
another. They will find the solution of the problem in placing the
newspaper over the sill of a door, and then closing the door between
them.
SPOON FOOD.--Two players are blindfolded and seated on the floor, each
with a large towel or napkin pinned around the neck like a bib. Each
is then given a bowl filled with corn meal or flour, and a spoon.
When all is ready, the two players are told to feed each other. This
forfeit makes as much sport for the rest of the company as for those
engaged in its performance.
THREE QUESTIONS.--The delinquent player is sent out of the room. While
he is gone, the remaining players decide on three questions, to which
he must reply "Yes" or "No" before he knows what the questions are.
When he returns, he is asked if he will answer the first question with
"Yes" or "No." Having made his choice, the question is then repeated
to him, often resulting in much laughter from the incongruity of the
answer. The other questions are answered in the same way.
TIDBIT.--The player is required to bite an inch off the poker. He does
this by holding the poker about an inch from his face and making a
bite at it.
TOAST OF THE EVENING, THE.--The player is required to propose his or
her own health in a complimentary speech about himself or herself.
UMBRELLA STAND.--A closed umbrella or a cane is held upright on the
floor by pressing on the top of it with the forefinger. The player is
then required to release his hold, to pirouette rapidly, and snatch
the umbrella before it falls to the ground.
VERSE LENGTHS.--The player is required to repeat a verse or jingle,
stating the number of the word after each word. For example:--
"Yankee, _one_, Doodle, _two_, went, _three_, to, _four_, town,
_five_," etc.
WALKING SPANISH.--The player is given a cane or closed umbrella. He
rests this on the floor, places both hands on top of it, and then
rests his forehead on the hands. While in this position, he is
required to turn around three times, then suddenly stand with head
erect, and walk straight ahead.
ZOO, THE.--The player is required to imitate a donkey or any other
animal.
SINGING GAMES
SINGING GAMES
DID YOU EVER SEE A LASSIE?
_10 to 60 or more players._
_Playground; gymnasium._
This is a game for very little children, and with a little suggestion
as to the exercises or movements to be illustrated by the "lassie,"
may be the source of some very good exercise as well as a pleasing
game.
All of the players but one form a circle, clasping hands. They circle
around, singing the first two lines of the verse. While they are doing
this, the odd player stands in the center and illustrates some
movement which he chooses for the others to imitate. During the last
two lines of the verse the players stand in place, drop hands, and
imitate the movements of the center player, which he continues in
unison with them.
Did you ever see a lassie, a lassie, a lassie,
Did you ever see a lassie do _this_ way and _that_?
Do _this_ way and _that_ way, and _this_ way and _that_ way;
Did you ever see a lassie do _this_ way and _that_?
When a boy is in the center, the word "lassie" should be changed to
"laddie."
The player may imitate any activity, such as mowing grass, raking hay,
prancing like a horse, or turning a hand organ; may use dancing steps
or movements such as bowing, courtesying, skipping, whirling in dance
steps with the hands over the head, etc.; or may take any gymnastic
movements, such as hopping, jumping, arm, head, trunk, or leg
exercises, etc.
[Illustration music: Did You Ever See a Lassie?
Did you ev-er see a las-sie, a
las-sie, a las-sie, Did you ev-er see a
las-sie do _this_ way and _that_? Do _this_ way and
_that_ way, and _this_ way and _that_ way; Did you
ev-er see a las-sie do _this_ way and _that_?
]
[Illustration: DRAW A BUCKET OF WATER]
DRAW A BUCKET OF WATER
_4 to 60 or more players._
_Indoors; out of doors._
This game is played in groups of four, generally by girls. Two players
face each other, clasping hands at full arm's length. The other two
face each other in the same way, with their arms crossing those of the
first couple at right angles. Bracing the feet, the couples sway
backward and forward, singing the following rhyme:--
[Illustration music:
Draw a buck-et of wa-ter, For my la-dy's daugh-ter,
One in a rush, Two in a rush,
Please, lit-tle girl, bob un-der the bush.
]
Draw a bucket of water,
For my lady's daughter.
One in a rush,
Two in a rush,
Please little girl, bob under the bush.
As the last line is said, the players all raise their arms without
unclasping the hands and place them around their companions, who
stoop to step inside. They will then be standing in a circle with arms
around each other's waists. The game finishes by dancing in this
position around in a ring, repeating the verse once more.