The Boot
Once upon a time, there was a doting mother with over a hundred children; twelve of them born to her, the rest adopted.
She hardly ever saw her husband; he had to put in a triple shift at the factory in order to support the multitudes of little people. Mother spent most of her time in the largest room homeschooling the 'goslings' as she fondly called them.
Their house was so old and worn that the exterior looked somewhat like a large boot nestled in the side of a great mountain.
They had to keep adding space each time a new child came to live with them. This, they did themselves because they barely had enough money to feed themselves let alone hire a contractor.
Mother was surrounded by warm bodies, yet felt utterly alone because her husband was always gone, therefore she would sometimes be in a terrible temper, suppressing the anger thus aquiring sharp pains in her jaw.
Lunch was never served, the children had to wait for an early dinner. She stirred the thin liquid in the huge cauldron that hung over the fire. The children drank their broth from paper cups which were reused until they dissolved. Her ire grew with each ladleful of soup she served.
By the time bedtime rolled around, she spread her feelings all over the children one by one with sharp swats to the behind before sending them to bed, bellies growling.
When this tale is told to children these days, spankings are transformed into kisses. What is not said is how little Nellie called Child Protective Services, thus rescuing them from a life so bleak....The End
Mother goose could be Grimm as well
