Leo was all of six and a half years old. A half seems to matter when you’re that young. I’m six and a quarter. I’m going to be seven in four months. Because, you see, at that age birthdays matter.
Leo loved to sing. He knew all the nursery rhymes and a few other songs as well. His favourite song was:
This old man, he plays one
He plays knick knack on my thumb
With a knick knack paddy wack
Give a dog a bone
This old man comes rolling home.
And then his mother heard him singing:
This old man, he plays one,
He plays knick knack on my BUM.
BUM was emphasized to make sure all heard. Leo knew how to rhyme. His mother was amused but pretended to be shocked. She took Leo aside and told him that BUM wasn’t a nice word to use in the song. And if he was very good she would take him along to the Christmas carol singing next week.
He was a good boy, so off they went to the carols. Leo sang. The whole world heard him. He sang in tune but at the top of his voice.
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my BUM.