“I know what we could do,” he replied. “We learned about siphoning in science today. Basically, you use a hose to move a liquid from one place to another, without pouring.

Fishel looked skeptical.

“How is that possible?”

“It’s simple physics, that’s what Mr. Ronson said. Let’s try it and see.”

“Okay! We’ll fill up the sink with water, and use this hose to get it into a bucket. Hey, if it works, we should tell the cleaner. It’ll make her job much easier,” he ended virtuously.

“And besides, Mr. Ronson is always telling us to do science experiments at home,” added Faivish piously. “And here we are, doing just that.”

The brothers had convinced themselves very effectively. Now they plugged the kitchen sink and turned on both faucets. Water gushed out.

As they waited for the sink to fill, they heard a noise coming from outside.

“What’s that?”

“Dunno. Sounds like someone being murdered!”

“Quick, let’s go and see.”

The brothers raced out of the kitchen and through the front door, as loud yells filled the air. They recognized Mr. Krankowitz’s voice.

“Where’s my hat?” he was yelling. “I put it down for just a moment, while I was checking my rose bushes — and now it’s gone!”

The mailman came past. Mr. Krankowitz accosted him. “Have you seen my hat?” he demanded.

The mailman was about to shake his head no. Then suddenly, he stared at Mr. Krankowitz in great surprise.

“Why, it’s on your head!” he replied.

Mr. Krankowitz reached upward. To his astonishment, he was indeed wearing his hat! He must have put it on again without thinking, and then forgotten about it.

“Humph!” he responded gruffly, but he looked relieved. The mailman nodded reassuringly. “Why, sometimes I think I’d forgot my head if it wasn’t attached to my body!” he said.

Fishel and Faivish were listening with interest, when they heard their names being called.

“Fishel! Faivish! Come here at once!”

They gulped. It was their father, and he did not sound happy. Reluctantly, they trailed inside. Their father greeted them a scowl and a pile of towels. Uh-oh! The brothers stared at each other in horror. They’d forgotten to turn off the faucets!

Indeed, the kitchen floor was flooded.

“Um — maybe call Jolly Solly?” Fishel suggested timidly to his father.

“He’s got these amazing machines that can clean up anything,” said Faivish. “Much quicker than towels.”

Their father frowned.

“Very well. I will call him. However, you boys go upstairs to your room now, and stay there until further notice!”

“But we didn’t mean to—”

“We just wanted to—”

“Upstairs!” barked Mr Friedman, and the pair scurried off immediately. Unlike softhearted Mrs. Friedman, they knew their father meant business.

Fishel and Faivish trailed glumly into their room. They watched longingly from the window as Jolly Solly arrived with his dream clean machine, followed by a trail of excited kids. Moishy and Miriam Morris were among them.

Moishy looked up and noticed the pair standing at the window.

“Why don’t you come downstairs?” he asked in surprise.

“We’ve gotta stay in our room,” mumbled Faivish.

“Why do you gotta stay in your room?” piped up Miriam.

“Because we tried to help the cleaner,” responded Fishel bitterly.

“And did a science experiment like our teacher told us to do, that’s why!” added Faivish.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 832)