Bad luck, old thing, but at least you had the chance to do two rounds. Did you get to watch the other competitors? It sounds like a fun but challenging competition, with plenty of scope for entrants to use their imagination.Ming wrote:I've been knocked out in Round 2. Could not make it to the final round, but what's the worst that could happen? It was still a great experience, though.
), a senior student from our team talked to her diary about the war not bothering her, the endless killing not bothering her, but the random kills every week that bothered her; someone talked about power (and smashed a glass on the floor), another person from our team talked to his mirror about his conscience. It was an interesting day, a lot of fun, and this is probably the first interschool writing and oratory competition in the country. Most invited schools however did not show up, because of exams. 
Oh, that's a pity. If they run more such competitions in the future, let's hope they think more carefully about the dates!Ming wrote: It was an interesting day, a lot of fun, and this is probably the first interschool writing and oratory competition in the country. Most invited schools however did not show up, because of exams.
That would be interesting - thanks!Ming wrote:I got someone to video my presentation, when I get my hands on it I'll try to upload it!
Yes, I agree it's a great book to read when you're ill, though I have read so far only the early chapters! Love the beginning -- honestly, Snubby!Anita Bensoussane wrote:A great book to read when you're ill - it sparkles with humour and Snubby is on top form!Philip Mannering wrote:Also, I thought of The Rilloby Fair Mystery the most humorous work of Blyton.
Anita
I found Mr Lynton heavily bad-tempered though, a little "irritating" himself? 
It's true that it's not the usual kind of mystery, but it's mysterious none the less. That's actually my favourite title of the series because of the humour and the dark yet cosy wintry atmosphere. After reading Strange Bundle at the age of about nine, I looked in the library for books on ventriloquism and tried to learn how to do it. Didn't have much success, though!Philip Mannering wrote:Yesterday I bought a new Dean edition of The Mystery of the Strange Bundle because I had forgotten most of it, and wanted to read. Its beginning was most suitable to me -- they were ill themselves! Not an actual mystery though, and more coincidence than pure investigation.
Yes, there is plenty of humour in this story, thanks, as usual, to Goon. He's silly of course, but it's very funny to see him becoming most polite when Fatty made those wonderful noises! Of course, Goon shouldn't have been fooled -- doesn't he smell a rat? By the way, the phrase "smelling a rat" is used to ingenuity by Inspector Jenks when he says: "Well, I may as well tell you that as soon as Goon told me that you were in the house with him, I smelt a rat! Not a dog or a pig or any other animal, Frederick, but a rat."Anita Bensoussane wrote:It's true that it's not the usual kind of mystery, but it's mysterious none the less. That's actually my favourite title of the series because of the humour and the dark yet cosy wintry atmosphere. After reading Strange Bundle at the age of about nine, I looked in the library for books on ventriloquism and tried to learn how to do it. Didn't have much success, though!Philip Mannering wrote:Yesterday I bought a new Dean edition of The Mystery of the Strange Bundle because I had forgotten most of it, and wanted to re-read. Its beginning was most suitable to me -- they were ill themselves! Not an actual mystery though, and more coincidence than pure investigation.
Anita
I agree that it was most amazing that Goon himself was told to CLEAR OFF himself! Well done, Enid! About the ventriloquism thing, I seem to think that it was used in Banshee Towers? I think I'm wrong though.Ming wrote:The Mystery of the Strange Bundle is one of my favourite books! It was amazing to see the tables turned on Goon when it came to clearing orf, and the idea of ventriloquism was very unique. I was disappointed, however, that this particular talent of Fatty's was not developed further.
I think the boy's name was Bert. The scene there was very funny indeed, as usual thanks to Fatty. By the way, Fatty's nickname always makes me wince. Translation in Hindi will become Mote! You all might not know it, but here in India it is used as a derogatory tem to insult although it has become common and, err, "fashionable". School children often use it to call one's name when they don't know it.Ming wrote:It was used a bit in The Mystery of Holly Lane when Fatty frightens Mr Goon's cook's boy (forgot his name!)...
It still is used here! Of course, its translation is used, not the actual word. And worse still, they even use it to call kids (not knowing their name) who aren't overweight! Even if they might be extremely slim, I think everybody is the victim of the word. That's why I always have winced at Fatty.Lucky Star wrote:Fatty is also a rather derogatory term in English. As you say it is (or was) mostly used by children to persecute overweight kids. It is pretty much frowned upon now to use the word as a nickname for people. If I were to call another adult "Fatty" it would be a great insult and I would have to apologise.
I think I agree here. Giving friends nicknames is no harm; I just remarked at the injustice being done when people use it to call people who are not overweight, just because they don't know their name, or else want to insult.Moonraker wrote:Where friends are concerned, derogatory terms can be friendly and not at all rude. Of course we wouldn't call people we don't know Fatty, but amongst friends I see no problem.
