The Salt Shaker

Out of the shaker and...

Known for his pranks and gags within his Scout troop, Del was due for a good one. Since he was at Scout camp for the week, he had plenty of opportunity.

For Del, he didn’t think twice about his pranks. Opportunities always came his way and he looked for ways to twist them.

So it was with the salt shaker.

The day’s fare in the dining hall was roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and sweet corn.

After the entire hall said Grace and he dished out some food, Del grabbed the clear glass shaker and sprinkled some salt on his food. He pulled the shaker below the table and loosened the metal lid, and placed it back on the Lazy Susan in the center of the table. At a glance, there was nothing wrong with the shaker.

Now he’d wait.

Unfortunately, the wait wasn’t long because Del’s dad, the Scoutmaster of his troop, was the next to Grab the shakers.

Out of all the people in the entire camp, Dad had to sit here. Why today, Dad, why?

Del’s face drained of color as he went through a hundred scenarios in his head, and none of them ended well for Del. It was the first time all week his dad sat at Del’s table. If he had taken the prank to its logical conclusion, he would’ve known, it wasn’t going to end well.

At all.

Del’s dad looked around at the boys, squinting, trying to recall who had the shaker last. When he was sure it was his son, he turned and looked at Del, and then smiled.

“Oh boy,” said Del.

Salt covered his dad’s mashed potatoes and turkey.

“Guilty, eh? Tell you what we’ll do, son. I see you’ve taken a bite out of your turkey. I think we should trade plates. Germs, eh, we’re family. Think that’s reasonable, Del?”

“Yes, sir,” Del said as he handed his plate to his father.

“Oh, and Del, don’t push the salt to the side. I wanna see a clean plate.”

“Yes, sir,” Del said, already looking gray for the task at hand.

“All of it.”

*******