On Birthday Presents for Mothers

FEBRUARY 27, 2004 BY SUSAN J

“As it was Mother’s birthday that we were going to celebrate… we were all busy working out our presents for her. After some thought, I had decided to give her a butterfly net since she evinced such a great interest in my butterfly collection. Margo bought her a dress length of material which she rather wanted herself. Larry bought her a book which he wanted to read, and Leslie bought her a small pearl-handled revolver. As he explained to me, it would make her feel safe when we left her alone in the house. As his room was already a bristling armoury of guns of various shapes and sizes, none of which Mother knew how to use, I felt with was a curious choice for a present, but I said nothing.”

Gerald Durrell in Fillets of Plaice

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