Those agile, helpful sheep.
I had been living in France for a few months and thought I was coping rather well with the "shopping vocabulary" as I sorted out painting and furnishings for my new apartment. I was also getting quite adept at charades, as I mimed the things I didn't know how to say. One day I went into Bouchara (a shop that sells fabrics, linens, drapery fixtures etc) and explained to the clerk that, while I had a curtain rod - tringle and curtains - rideaux, I needed those thingumajigs (trucs - things - a very useful French word) that go on the tringles and grip the curtains. (What I meant in English was that I wanted curtain rings with clips.) She told me, Vous avez besoin des anneaux avec pinces. Unfortunately, she didn't have any more. So, the next day, I confidently walked into another branch and asked for agneaux avec pinceaux - lamb with paintbrushes. Every time I look at my curtains now, I picture sheep precariously balanced on top clutching paintbrushes in their hooves.
Sent by: Kate
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