As I’ve previously mentioned, we live in a rural area outside a small town. This week, our four local grandchildren were visiting for the afternoon. It began as any other play day might, but this time, it led to someone getting it wrong and the rest of us thoroughly enjoying it.

Two days before, a winter storm created drifts along the embankment by the ditch at the edge of the farmer’s field across the road. A favourite activity for the kids (and sometimes their grandparents!) is to jump and play in the drifts, so the game was on.

Our four-year-old grandson took a child’s red shovel and dug a snow cave into the drift. It was all he could do to tuck his little body into his engineering project.   

Tired of that activity while the older ones continued to play, he wandered along the ditch while I remained by his cave, watching him so he didn’t head up to the road. While exploring, he lost track of his structure and turned to me and asked, “Where’s my snow cave?” I pointed to it on the little hill in front of me.

He demanded indignantly, “Why did you move it?”

Stifling the giggles threatening to erupt, I explained that snow caves don’t move—people do. There is nothing like a four-year-old getting it wrong as he learns how the world works!

Three junior high-aged girls waved homemade posters as I entered the discount department store in our town two or three weeks ago. The last sign caught my eye, so I stopped and read it: Clothing Drive Today. The girls were from the local Guide troop, and I didn’t realize I had misinterpreted what I read. Getting it wrong was hilarious when I eventually figured it out.

As I read the sign, I thought, But it’s cold outside, and I need my coat today.

The next thought that popped into my head was, Why are they inside the store, and why would they think I drive around with a bag of clothing in my car?

As it turned out, those fleeting thoughts, processed at lightning speed, took me down the wrong path. The young lady holding the sign saw me pause and walked over to give me her pitch. “Would you like to donate some clothes today?”.

Over the years, I have participated in many clothing drives, but they were all USED clothing drives. You can probably see where this is going.

In my defence, nothing on her sign said “New” Clothing Drive, leading to my getting it so wrong.

I looked at that earnest, young girl and said, “But I’m wearing my clothes.” After I said it, she looked as puzzled as I felt. We then parted ways, and I carried on with my shopping.

After I checked out and was on my way out of the store, I spotted a bin of clothes with price tags attached sitting by the door. The reality of my misperception smacked me, and I laughed out loud.

When I relayed this story to a friend the next day, she said she had also been there and had the same misconception. She then commented, “At least I didn’t say it!”

Somewhere, there is a young Girl Guide who will undoubtedly tell friends, relatives, and anyone who will listen about the crazy lady she met at the clothing drive.

Getting it wrong isn’t always funny, but sometimes you have to laugh when the pieces fall into the wrong places.

In the Comments section below, please share your funny stories about getting it wrong. Let’s brighten each other’s day.