A Day in the Life of an Alarm Clock
(1958-59)

WHAT a day I've had! This morning, bright and early, I gave a little chortle just to give vent to my feelings. Immediately I was grabbed roughly and a light was shone straight at me. A ghastly face peered into mine; it muttered and banged me down again.

It gave me quite a turn, especially when the owner of the face started tearing about the room clutching at things and then running in and out.

All the time I could hear the noise of voices, rushing water and a kind of sizzling sound in the distance. My grandfather was downstairs and I could hear him wheezing and breathing heavily.

Soon all was quiet and I remained, dreaming the hours away. The afternoon sun came through the west window and shone in my face. I got hot and fidgety and couldn't think what to do with my hands.

Suddenly the door burst open. Once again I was grabbed. This time I was shaken so that my inside rattled and the same horrible face said, "Slow again!" This was too much for my grandfather, who decided to strike.

J. M. CLARKE, 2D