Naughty Deeds of Youth: A Reflective Look
Looking back, it's fascinating how some of the things I did in my youth might seem entirely innocent, while others could be considered quite naughty by modern standards. At 85, it amazes me how vividly I remember those youthful escapades. Here are a few of the mischievous deeds that stand out in my memory.
Drive the Neighbor's Car: An Unplanned Excursion
One of the fondest memories from my childhood involves driving my friend's neighbor's car. One of my friends lived next door to a couple who went overseas for six months. They left their car keys with his father to keep the car in good condition. Little did I know the conversation about driving the car was a family matter. My friend's father worked nights at a newspaper, so he had the flexibility to drive the car once a week.
One day, my mate took the keys and we decided to take the car for a spin. Eight or ten of us piled in, and off we went. The entire experience was as spontaneous as it was naive. We drove around the streets, bumping into things and chatting up girls. We even parked on the main street and invited a couple of the girls to join us for a laugh. Despite the potential consequences, we felt like we were simply having fun. Such is the innocence of youth, isn't it?
The Bracket Hunt: A Prank Gone Wild
Another memorable adventure involved attending a movie theater pitcha show. During the interval, we went out to get some soft drinks, ice cream, and potato chips. As we re-entered the theater, one of my mates had a ticket that had gotten lost. The attendant at the door wouldn't let him back in. Feeling indignant, my friend's mate stuck the remaining ice cream in his face, and others followed suit, pouring soft drinks and potato chips over him. The poor guy didn’t see it coming. We thought the local sergeant would take ten minutes to arrive on his pushbike, but he was quicker. We ran, with one of us ending up in a chicken pen with chicken droppings all over us.
A Serious Incident Leading to a Life Lesson
The most serious incident of my youth occurred when I was 13 years old. At school, there was a troublemaker who often started fights. One Saturday, I was in a music shop and spotted this boy. He apologized for hitting me earlier and offered to buy me a milkshake to make amends. I accepted, and he asked me to carry two heavy bags. When we reached the milk bar, he told me he was late and had to join his waiting mother. He took the bags and left.
By Monday, one of my schoolmates told me the boy claimed I had taken the bags out of the shop, which he said were stolen. If I had been caught, the consequences could have been severe. Instead, my memory of the incident is filled with the smiles of the girls who joined us after our drive. We celebrated with gelato at Christies Cafe, the only place in Brisbane that made it, making it a big deal for us.
Looking back, it's clear that these experiences were part of growing up. They taught me about the world, the importance of honesty, and the consequences of our actions. It's a reminder that the 'one size fits all' approach to raising children may not be effective, especially for bored or troubled teens who may be influenced by 'monkey see, monkey do' behaviors.
What do you think of David Crisafullis' experiences? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!