A lonely chap sets his heart on finding company so he goes to a pet shop. ‘Don’t like cats and dogs are too much trouble’ he says to the proprietor. ‘What have you got for me?’ ‘I’ve got just the thing’ the owner says. She goes into the back returning with a shoe box. ‘Look in here. It’s a talking centipede’. ‘A talking centipede? Never come across such a thing!’ ‘You’ll find it great company’. Trusting her recommendation money is exchanged and the guy goes home with his centipede. ‘Welcome to my home’ he says to it. ‘Maybe you’d like to come with me to the 8 o’clock tomorrow?’ He’s a church goer. No reply from the centipede. Up next morning and about ready for Church he looks in on his new pet. ‘I’m off to the 8 o’clock soon’ he says.Then, just before he leaves the house, once again, and by now anxious at the lack of response from his new pet, ‘I said I’m off to the 8 o’clock – can you hear me?’ ‘I heard you the first time and I’m putting my shoes on.’ It’s a funny story and it’s got a reminder to give allowance to folk. Unless you’ve walked in other people’s shoes you’re never going to know what it’s like for them to do things as best they can for you. Picture: Anne Twisleton
