Say ph

Today’s Daily prompt asks

Tell us about a time when everything seemed to be going wrong — and then, suddenly, you knew it would be alright. 

Photographers, artists, poets: show us SAFETY.

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I can remember learning to say the last remaining sound I needed.

The neighbours thought it was a great joke that I said, “Ha-ha, isn’t it sunny?”

“She can’t say her efs!”

One morning I made my mind up to master it.  I went out into the back garden and wandered along the concrete paths, SSSSSSSSS, SSSSSSSSSS, SSSSSSSSSS, Ph!

I rushed back indoors.

“Mummy, I can say ph!”

So I could say funny and foot, face, finger and four (although my counting may not have progressed beyond, “One, two, three…lots”).

A few days later I thought up my first joke.

My godmother’s surname was pronounced Slee and we always referred to her as Auntie Mary Slee to distinguish her from a relative.

I asked, “When is Auntie Mary Flea coming to see us again?”

My mother panicked.  She didn’t realise I was having a bit of fun.  She really thought I didn’t know any better!

So I could say, “ph”, but it wasn’t quite safe!  (And I had to exhale to do it!)

Related post: https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/f-is-for/