Whenever I light a candle, I actually put the extinguished match either under water or on my tongue to ensure it is actually extinguished. This is for a very good reason, a little lesson I learned in high school.
Surprise! I was on the journalism staff and got assigned for the major report of a particular issue. I was released from the confines of class and sent to interview the “Chief of Police” in our small town. Did we really have a COP? I don’t know. I interviewed someone older than myself in uniform and he smoked.
During the assuredly intelligent questions I asked, he lit his cigarette and answered my thought-provoking queries. He tossed the match in his trash can by the side of his desk. As we continued with this critical interview, I noticed smoke rising and informed him that his trash can was on fire. That observation truly lit a fire under him and he ran to get water and douse it.
I’m not sure if anything ever came of the award-winning article I surely wrote, but I do make certain my match is no longer working, even if it means a tasting a little sulphur.
Dear Rene, Here is my reply to “matches” learned at camp Interlaken to be sung: Kneel always when you light a fire… I hope to sing this song to you someday. Love June