a parcel of lies
There are likely two types of people who will read this blog: The first are parents or other adults who have been involved in organising kid’s birthday parties, the others are ones who joyfully remember the magic of playing pass the parcel when they were kids themselves. If you are the latter you may want to stop reading now, because I’m about to blow a big hole in the whole system. Pass the parcel… is rigged.
I know what you might be thinking, then why does each child take so long to pass the wrapped present onto the next person? Why does each participant linger for longer than they should, if not in the hope that the music will magically stop for them? You see, it turns out that the person who is controlling the music is also watching the game, they control when it stops and on who. I am very sorry if I have just destroyed one of your happiest childhood memories, but in the great words of Socrates “It is what it is”.
I should note Socrates didn’t say that in any of his great works. He actually said it in passing to a poor traveler who was complaining that the leaven bread Socrates had sold him was stale. It’s a little known fact that many of the greatest philosophers of all time started out as bakers. Socrates stale leaven was widely considered a failure, luckily he shook the nickname Staleocrates before he became a rock star.
Back to the parcel, the carefully wrapped parcel. The one that the kids consider to be as magic as the tooth fairy and Santa Clause. When I was growing up if the parcel stopped on you, you were allowed to unwrap one piece. What did you get? A freaking piece of paper! Nothing, no one got anything until the final prize. That beauty in the middle, maybe it would be a brand new colouring in book, maybe… well… it’s always a colouring in book.
Now, everyone who gets to unwrap a piece of paper normally also gets a chocolate! A Freddo Frog seems to be the main loot. Look, I’m not complaining, I’m jealous. I want a Freddo Frog.
I watch over these games now and wonder how they can’t see. The music controller can even call out “Who hasn’t had a turn?” and be provided of a list of people that haven’t. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Then, when the music does “magically” stop on them after they have been identified as not having had a turn they lose their mind. They have never been happier!
I understand that although people chant that they want to live by justice, what they really want is a world that’s a construction of well placed lies. We watch as they pass the parcel, watch as they jump up and down in pure excitement. Cherish those moments you had as a kid, where people wanted so much for you to be happy they were willing to create a make believe world, where you didn’t have to pay for lollies, where everything was provided. Enjoy the parcel of lies.
James
