A school Photo of Jonathan Cole and older brother Philip
From about four years old, Johnnie one of my grandsons has shown great artistic potential. Now he is a talented artist but some of his first efforts required very tactful comments from the viewer. I shall never forget my favourite, a frightening creature executed in mauve and orange crayons. He informed me proudly that it was a lion.
'But it hasn't got a tail' I pointed out.
Whereupon Johnnie, with the superior scorn of a four-year-old addressing an adult half wit said scathingly.
'Of course it hasn't got a tail. But it's got a cough'
I suppose I should have known!
This excerpt was written by Jon's grandad, Reg Yearley, fondly known as 'Poppa'