When I was eight years old my family had a pet canary, called Jasper, that would warble most of the day. It was a pleasure most of the time but on occasion my mother would comment that she would like some “peace” without all the noise.
We grew fruits and vegetables and mum would often preserve them for winter use. With a surplus of strawberries, about 20 kilos, mum set out to make jam in a rather large pot.
The pot was so large it needed about three gas burners to keep the jam cooking.
Part way through the cooking process., my younger brother fell asleep on the sofa. A short time later I told mum that I felt tired as well and wanted to go to bed. Mum thought we were objecting to her not playing with us. That was when she noticed the canary had stopped singing and had fallen off its perch.
Sudden realisation that the gas burners had blown out and that gas was filling the house caused immediate panic. Burners turned off, windows thrown open and children awaken and taken out into the fresh air.
Neighbours were mystified when mother suddenly went running back into the house. She emerged with the canary in its cage. Within a few minutes it started to sing and everyone cheered.
Mum never complained about Jasper’s noise again.
Lucy Thompson
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