COMPETITION
Jingle in prose
Jaspistos
In Competition No. 1670 you were asked for a contemporary anecdote in the style of Dickens's Mr Jingle.
`Sudden disappearance — talk of the whole city — search made everywhere without success — public fountain in the great square suddenly ceased playing weeks elapsed — still a stoppage — work- men employed to clean it — water drawn off — father-in-law discovered sticking head first in the main pipe, with a full confession in his right boot — took him out, and the fountain played away again, as well as ever.'
There's the authentic Jingle — inimit- able, it seems, since few of you found the right sort of manner or the right sort of matter. The best runner-up was Pascoe Polglaze, who started well enough: "'Bring me something nice from the Gulf," she said — did — impulsive purch- ase — great mistake — should have bought a jerboa, much smaller — where to keep? — no loft ladder — awkward, very — need sand, lots — Missus upset — natural frightened for kids — no necessity camels highly affectionate, just hairy need trust and occasional date — don't swear either, like parrots . .
The prizewinners (£15 each) are printed below.
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