(936) Humor

by Agatha Christie
I am a rather serious person. The fact that I rarely was relaxed enough to joke does not mean I do not enjoy being around folks with a sense of humor.

On page 7 of Murder in Mesopotamia, written by Agatha Christie, we read " Dr. Reilly ... who said all sorts of funny things in a low, sad voice. I think he enjoyed pulling my leg and used to make the most extraordinary statements to see if I would swallow them."

These two lines brought me back to my first Christmas spent in USA. It is a tradition for families to get together for Christmas celebration there. One of my college mates took me home. I met not only her immediate family but her extended family members as well.

One of her uncles was a person full of stories and jokes. As I was the only foreigner there, my leg was pulled many times. There were many tall tales. The most extraordinary things were said. It was a most entertaining and jolly time. That was the first time I heard about Paul Bunyan and Dr. Seuss. Inches of snow fell. Everyone gathered around the fire place. Much food was consumed. As I am typing this piece, I think of the smell of turkey, candied apples, and other Christmas scents.

As the semesters flashed past, I met more Americans. After that I realized those people with a sense of humour would only pick on those they are fond of to play tricks on. I slowly learned that I have to be quick and creative in replying to such jokers. Now that I live on the opposite side of the world, all these seemed like distant memories, did it really happen?