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The photography club held a contest for “the most natural smile.” Everyone brought portraits. One showed a bride laughing. Another showed a child with a puppy. Elliot entered a picture of the club treasurer sitting behind a table of receipts. “He isn’t smiling,” the judge said. “Look carefully,” Elliot replied. The treasurer’s mouth was hidden … Read more

At a charity auction, the host asked everyone to raise a numbered paddle to bid. Nora lifted hers to fan herself. “Going once,” called the host. She lowered it. “Going twice.” Nora stood to explain, but the host pointed at her again. She had raised the paddle while standing up. “Sold!” he cried. Nora looked … Read more

At the pool, Sam chose the lane marked SLOW. He swam one length and found an older man floating at the far end. Sam waited. The man smiled and moved aside. On the next length, he was there again. “Are you swimming laps?” Sam asked. “Of course.” “I’ve passed you twice, but I haven’t seen … Read more

At the post office, Lena wrote an address on a parcel and passed it across the counter. The clerk read it twice. “You’ve written your own address in the recipient box.” “That’s right. I’m sending it to myself.” “Why not carry it home?” “Because it’s a surprise.” The clerk looked at the return address. It … Read more

At cooking class, the instructor showed everyone how to chop an onion without crying. He recommended a sharp knife, a steady board and keeping the root end intact. Everyone copied him. At the next table, Iris wiped her eyes. “Is the onion getting to you?” he asked. “No. I followed every instruction.” “Then why are … Read more

The cycling club promised a shortcut home after a long ride. Their leader took them through a narrow lane, across a bridge and up a steep hill. At the top, everyone stopped to catch their breath. “That wasn’t shorter,” Mara said. “We’ve been climbing for twenty minutes.” “It cuts three miles,” said the leader. “From … Read more

A tailor promised Mr Evans a secret pocket in his new jacket. “Nobody will know it’s there,” she said. At the fitting, Mr Evans searched the lining. He found the regular pockets, an inside pocket, and a narrow pocket for his pen. “Where is the secret one?” The tailor smiled. “If I tell you, it … Read more

At the end of obedience class, the trainer gave every dog a certificate. Daisy’s spaniel had learned to sit, stay and come when called. At home, Daisy showed the certificate to her husband. “Watch this. Sit!” The dog stared at her. She tried again. Nothing. “He did it perfectly in class,” she said. Her husband … Read more

Every Friday, a florist delivered flowers to Mrs Lee with a card that said, “Still thinking of you.” After six weeks, the florist asked her husband if he wanted a different message. “I didn’t order any flowers,” he said. The florist checked the account. Mrs Lee herself had set up the standing order. “Should I … Read more

The village choir needed one more tenor. Martin auditioned and missed every high note. The conductor tried a lower song. Martin missed that too. At the end, she thanked him and offered him a seat in the back row. “Am I in?” he asked. “We need someone who can turn the pages for the pianist.” … Read more