100 words…

Keith's Ramblings

…for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers (on a Wednesday) photo prompt.

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“It’s been fun”, said Peter ‘Professor’ Jones as he placed Punch, Judy and policeman Bobby in their box one last time. “thirty-seven years of working together has finally ended.”

“I have to hand it to you”, said Punch “you turned three humble puppets into local celebrities”.

“I won’t miss Punch’s slap-stick,” said Judy, “but at least you made sure he never hurt me!

“You’re lucky I never arrested you, Punch!”, laughed Bobby.

“You behave yourselves”, said the Prof, “I’ll be taking it easy from now on, so should you”.

“That’s the way to do it”, said Punch one last time.

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Click a Froggie to visit the squares

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PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

*In case you are unfamiliar with Punch and Judy, Wikipedia describes it fairly accurately as ‘a hand puppet show performed by ‘the Professor’ in which Punch behaves outrageously, struggling with his wife Judy and the baby, and then triumphing in a series of encounters with the forces of law and order, interspersed with jokes and songs’

39 thoughts on “100 words…”

  3. Neil MacDonald's avatar Neil MacDonald Sep 25, 2024 / 16:08

    I wonder how many these days have ever seen a Punch and Judy show. So dies the last vestiges of the Trickster

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 25, 2024 / 17:45

      None of the beaches along my stretch of coast have them anymore. That’s one of the reasons I made a last minute decision to leave a footnote!

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  4. GHLearner's avatar GHLearner Sep 25, 2024 / 19:05

    This is a bittersweet retirement for them, great story.

    I’m learning so much today. I wasn’t looking at the sign and hadn’t understood that the striped thing was a puppet theater, and now I see so many people writing about it. Duh me. Does the term slap-stick come from these shows?

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 26, 2024 / 09:59

      Thanks so much, the term slap-stick comes from a hinged two-piece wooden paddle that made a loud slapping sound when it struck someone, and it was originally used in theatrical comedy back in the 16th century!  Mr Punch always had one in his hand!

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      • GHLearner's avatar GHLearner Sep 26, 2024 / 22:07

        Ah, thank you. The one our Kasperle uses looks a bit different. I’ve read up a bit and it looks like very similar puppets were used all over Europe. It’s fascinating.

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  7. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶's avatar The Sicilian Storyteller Sep 26, 2024 / 02:06

    This reminds me of how freakin’ old I really am … but in such a funny way, I can’t help but laugh. Great write about a terrific old memory!

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  9. Suzette Benjamin's avatar Suzette Benjamin Sep 26, 2024 / 04:34

    Oh I am dating myself but admiting I know this whole story line of Punch n Judy…LOL. Well done Keith.

    Hopefully this is just a beginning for them…in a new gig And with so much social media tik tok etc…maybe, maybe they could still have an audience…who knows eh?

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  13. Liz Young's avatar Liz Young Sep 27, 2024 / 09:03

    To be honest. I never liked Punch and Judy. Even as a child the violence upset me.

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  14. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli Sep 28, 2024 / 03:08

    They’ve had a good run, and Professor did it up right. I hope he enjoys taking it easy.

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  15. James McEwan's avatar James McEwan Sep 28, 2024 / 09:06

    I believe that their life in the retirement home is going to be full of hysterical mayhem.

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  17. rochellewisoff's avatar rochellewisoff Sep 30, 2024 / 11:52

    Dear Keith,

    WP is being strange this morning. (Just this morning?). So you may end up with two from me. At any rate, I did do some research on Punch and Judy, but I’d say you had the best voice for it. 😉 Lovely piece.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 30, 2024 / 17:57

      Thanks so much, Rochelle. It was as close as I could get without having a swazzle in my mouth – that’s the device ‘professors’ use to create Punch’s voice!

      *only one, good old WordDepress!

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  18. Michael B. Fishman's avatar Michael B. Fishman Oct 1, 2024 / 02:28

    When I saw the photo I wondered if anyone was going to remember who Punch & Judy were/are. Thank you for making me not feel so old. And now you’ve put them to rest quite nicely.

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