The Children, the Parents, the Relative

The children laughed because their parents did not

stand up for the relative who served

the need of the children and parents whose

quota for ridicule needed to be filled. 

The relative tried to clown with the children, 

build a bond, but they were hungry to make fun. 

The children sussed out their parents' attitude 

toward the relative so unlike them who used words

they did not know. Felt their parents egg them on, 

Sensed he was fair game. Told themselves he would not 

know. He had saved to visit them. The children 

tried to please their parents by laughing 

behind his back. But he could tell.