[John Whitworth]

Bazza won money in competition 4171 - the one about minimising political/military disasters. Well done that man.

The paper shop at the uni has been very remiss about the Staggers lately. I had to go into town to get a peek.

Competition 4174 is a straightforward verse one. 14 lines on a well-known proverb by 20 April to the usual address. Come along now. Many hands make light work.

[Roger Slater]

That's 14 lines max, or 14 lines?

[John Whitworth]

Max, Roger. Here's a little something I prepared earlier.

You Can’t Tell a Book by its Cover

You can’t tell a church from its vicars,
You can’t tell a tart by her knickers,
You can’t tell a swan from a budgie,
You can’t tell a kirk by its kludgie,
You can’t tell a chick from a plover,
You can’t tell a book by its cover.

You can’t tell a nun from a stripper,
You can’t tell a port by its shipper,
You can’t tell a tramp from a totty,
You can’t tell a brat by its botty,
You can’t tell a louse from a lover,
You can’t tell a book by its cover.

You can’t tell a doll from a duchess,
You can’t tell a fiend by his clutches,
You can’t tell a bint from her bruvver,
You can’t tell a book by its cover.

[Roger Slater]

WHAT MY FATHER TOLD ME

'A penny saved is a penny earned.'
'A drowning man will clutch at a straw.'
'Birds of a feather flock together.'
'Hard cases make bad law.'

'A friend in need is a friend indeed.'
'A chain is as strong as its weakest link.'
'The customer is always right.'
'A nod is as good as a wink.'

There's wisdom in these proverbs, son.
But not the kind I'd have you know.
Remember this when I am gone:
'Never eat the yellow snow.'

[Jayne Osborn]

That's very good, Bob, but are they sticklers, John, when they ask for 14 lines on a well-known proverb?

[John Whitworth]

There's only one proverb there, Jayne. The rest I made up.