Since The Canterbury Tales are primarily travelers entertaining each other with stories along their journey, what story(ies) could you share with the class on this blog that would amusing or informative? Here's an example below. In Vienna, Austria, August 14, 1977, my brothers Luke, age 9, and John, age 17, were imitating a little B.P. (British Petroleum) man stand-up advertising sign by turning their hat bills up like the figure and posing next to it. This figure was at the entrance to a number of parking garages and was making a gesture with its thumb (like a hitchhiker's) to turn in at that point. As our family would pass these signs, the two brothers would put on a playful little act with the figure, giving the family jollies.
There was a well-dressed, dignified man following us who was most amused when he saw young Luke and the other brothers' acting. He followed us a little farther and he caught our attention when we turned the corner. When we looked over at him, he put his finger in his mouth and blew so his cheeks puffed out and his hat started to rise. He did this trick by putting his umbrella behind his back to raise his hat. He got as much amusement out of surprising us as we got from his antics.
So, my American family had a positive, impromptu interaction with an otherwise unapproachable Austrian gentleman, who, for his part, made a lasting cross-cultural exchange of goodwill.
