By Annabelle Chapple
I’m sure the gateway to gambling starts when we’re kids. More specifically the first time we get to use a Skill Tester machine. You know this arcade game, it’s in most shopping centres. A transparent box filled with knock off brand cuddly toys and a threatening steel claw above. It’s tempting because the prizes are there for the taking but after 34 years of trying I have not saved a single toy from that glass prison. My toddler has though, and it taught me a layered life lesson.
Our arcade outing came after a game of bowling at that treasured Brisbane time capsule Aspley 10 Pin Bowl. We headed to their games room to buy some time on a rainy day and the six and two year olds made a beeline to the Skill Tester. My older daughter stepped up first. Three attempts, no rescues. Then came my young boy, I took a turn to “show him” then he quickly muscled me out of the way saying, “I do!”. And he did! The first dive down he missed the toy. Then he deployed a strategy I never have, he hit precisely the same spot again and the claw rescued a sad looking Pokémon toy. My shocked daughter and I erupted into cheers. The toddler looked nonplussed.
Quickly my six year old became upset she didn’t win so I reminded her of the time around the same age she’d played the laughing clowns game. She stepped up and with no over thinking hammered six balls into the clown’s moving mouth. She ranked so many points she won the un-winnable, an enormous plush unicorn at the roof of the tent. My husband and I were back slapping in surprise, she was just happy to have a new toy.
These moments brought to mind the adage, “If you love something set it free.” In both instances my kids were present enjoying the game not attached to the end goal. I wonder what life could be if I tapped into this toddler sense, let go of outcomes and simply focus on being happy in the process of now. Because what is life if not one big game of highs, lows and zero control?
Three Wise Women Recipe – Ginger Beer Scones
No one loses making this four-ingredient scone recipe. It was my Nana Leslyn’s but I made a minor adjustment from her lemonade to ginger beer, either will work.
Three Wise Women is available to purchase at Scrumptious Reads in Red Hill or at www.annabellechapple.com
