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The Funniest Joke That Ever Was Told
Outbreak of hysterics at game of marbles
You may be familiar with the saying that the draught from a butterfly’s wings can build up to a typhoon force wind. This is an appropriate analogy to describe events that unfolded at Carr Street school one May morning.
It was playtime. A swarm of children played football with a tennis ball, while another group skipped about a hopscotch grid. In a corner of the yard, ten-year-old Jonas sat playing marbles with his friends, David and Eric. They had been discussing the class trip to the swimming baths, which was scheduled for that afternoon. Then there was a lull in the conversation.
“I’ve just thought of a really funny joke,” Jonas said, after a minute of silence. The other two didn’t react to their friend’s announcement. After all, really funny jokes were a rarity, and self-penned ones almost unheard of. Undeterred by his friends’ lack of enthusiasm, Jonas delivered his gag. “There were two kittens in a pet shop window, and…”
Jonas only just managed to bark out the punchline, before transforming into a giggling heap. His two confederates also went into fits of uncontrollable laughter; Eric slapped the concrete repeatedly and, keep this part to yourself, a puddle appeared where no puddle had been before.
