Last post results in panic on the cards

AN OLD girl got in a state every year over sending Christmas cards — whether she bought too few or too many, forgot people who sent her one, but sent cards to those who never returned one. She had a bright idea: she’d write a list of names as cards arrived and she wouldn’t send any — or even buy them — until the list was complete. She would then know exactly how many cards she needed and whom to send them to. Cards arrived day by day, names were added to the list until eventually it was the last date for posting. She found she needed 199 cards and hurried off to the shops, only to find they had sold out. She rushed from shop to shop in a panic until, at a little corner shop, she found one box left containing 200 identical cards. She bought them, dashed home, wrote them out, then ran and caught the last post. Returning home almost in tears with the stress, she collapsed into an armchair with a stiff drink. As she recovered she noticed the last card remaining in the box (having just sent off 199 just like it), picked it up and sat admiring the robin on the front. She then opened the card and for the first time had the chance to read the rhyme: ‘This little card is just to say, a Christmas gift is on its way.’

Phil Syrett, Maldon, Essex.