Five Brothers and a War
Spitballs from the Vijver
The Margrietstraat ended at the Lobelialaan, which was actually two one-way streets, each going opposite the other. Between the two sides was a vijver (“pond”), about seven meters wide, with long sloping sides from the sidewalk. These slopes turned out to have a rich supply of sticky clay that, when spit was added, could be turned into gooey and slippery projectiles. Some foot-long, hollow, half-inch diameter curtain rods served as launchers. Naturally, the more slippery the inside, the farther the spitball could travel. Once they got bored with the routine matters of shooting into open windows, the boys would attempt to hit moving cars. When they would hit a windshield, it would splatter widely. Unfortunately, the fun came to an end when one driver took great exception to having his car being hit with a spit/mudball. He slammed on his brakes and gave chase, but he was no match for the speed of the young juvenile delinquents. But even young males could come to the conclusion that this fun would have a downside that outweighed the fun. They did find ways with fewer downsides after that, when they used the spitballs to attack and bury spiders on walls, ceilings, balconies, and pretty much anywhere spiders could be found.
van Pelt
The Vijver along the Lobelialaan.
Five Brothers and a War
Page 225
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