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THE FORBIDDEN LETTER

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon.  Supposing, for instance, the letter “f” is not to be introduced; the first player might ask:  “Is this a new game to you?” The second player could answer:  “Oh, no!  I played it years ago when quite a youngster.”

He would perhaps turn to the third player, and ask:  “You remember it, do you not?” The third player might answer:  “Yes; but we used to play it differently.”  This player, having used a word with an “f” in it, must pay a forfeit and remain out.

The answers must be given at once, without hesitation, and the player who avoids for the greatest length of time using a word containing the forbidden letter wins the game.

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GRAND MUFTI

One of the company is chosen as Grand Mufti.  The others then form a circle with the Grand Mufti in the center, and every action which he performs, if preceded by the words, “Thus says the Grand Mufti,” must be imitated by every member of the circle.

The Grand Mufti, in order to lead one of the company astray, will sometimes omit to say the words:  “Thus says the Grand Mufti;” in this case, if any member of the company imitate his action, he is compelled to pay a forfeit.

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MAGIC WRITING

In this game a confederate is necessary.  The player states to the company, after a few remarks on ancient sign-language, that he is able to read signs made with a stick on the floor, and agrees to leave the room while the company decide upon some word or sentence.

The game is played as follows:  It is agreed by the player and his confederate that one tap on the floor shall represent A, two taps E, three taps I, four taps O, and five taps U, and that the first letter of each remark the confederate makes shall be one of the consonants of the word or sentence decided upon by the company.  The consonants must be taken in order.  On the player’s return, supposing the word chosen to be “March,” his confederate would commence:  “Many people think this game a deception” (initial letter M).  One tap on the floor (A).  “Really it is very simple” (initial letter R).  “Coming to the end soon” (initial letter C).  “Hope it has been quite clear” (initial letter H).

A few more signs are made so as not to finish too abruptly, and the player then states the word to be “March.”  If carefully conducted, this game will interest an audience for a considerable time.

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FLOWERS

The company divides itself into equal sides, and each side must have a “home” in opposite corners of the room.  The sides retire to their own “homes,” and one side privately chooses a flower, then crosses over to the other corner and gives the initial letter of that flower.  The children on the second side must try and guess the name of the flower, and when they have done so they catch as many as they can of the opposite side before they reach their “home.”