One day, a 9-year-old Lifty was playing in the living room while Shifty was taking a nap and Splendid was reading a newspaper. Lifty was playing with a ball, even though Splendid had told him multiple times that it was an outside toy. He threw it against the wall, making a loud *thud* sound. “What was that?” Splendid yelled, hearing the strange sound. “Nothing, Dad,” Lifty yelled back. “That didn’t sound like nothing.” Splendid said. Lifty looked around and saw the ball rolling into the kitchen. He ran over to grab it before Splendid saw but it was too late. “Lifty, why is the ball out here?” Splendid asked in a stern voice. “I… I was playing.” Lifty said, picking the ball up. Lifty’s ear folded as he feebly held the ball in his paws. Splendid knelt and said in a calm voice, “Buddy, I thought I told you not to be playing with the ball indoors.” Lifty felt nervous. “I know, but I was bored and I wanted to play with the ball… but I knew you’d say no if I asked because it’s raining,” Lifty said, feeling nervous. “I’m sorry that you’re bored but you can’t play with the ball indoors, buddy. Can you put the ball up now and play with some inside toys?” Splendid asked. “Okay, Daddy,” Lifty said. “Thank you, Lifty,” Splendid said, rubbing Lifty’s head. Lifty picked the ball up and went to go put it up, but then saw a basketball goal in the closet. “Hmm… I wonder.” He thought. He looked around and had an idea. “I don’t think Daddy will notice if I’m quiet.” He thought. He grabbed the basketball goal and carefully brought it to the living room. He set it up as best a 9-year-old could and began to play. He kept missing but wanted to get at least one. He got ready and made the shot… but then the ball bounced off the rim of the goal and knocked a vase over, but Lifty jumped over and managed to catch it. “Lifty, what are you doing?” Splendid yelled. Before Lifty could come up with an excuse or an answer, Splendid was already standing in front of him with an irritated look on his face and the newspaper in his paw. “Lifty, I thought I told you to put that ball up,” he said. Lifty’s stood up, the vase still in his paws. “Uh… I’m sorry, Daddy. I found the basketball goal and got curious. I’ll put them up now-” “Not so fast, young man. You disobeyed me, which almost destroyed a valuable family heirloom, so I need to punish you first.” Splendid said. He grabbed the vase from Lifty’s paws, put it up, and grabbed Lifty’s paw to pull him over his knee and pull his pants and underwear down. “ Daddy, no. I won’t disobey you again.” Lifty begged. Splendid said nothing as he rolled the newspaper up and smacked Lifty’s rear with it. “Ow.” Lifty yelped. *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* *smack* “There,” Splendid said, helping Lifty off his knee. “Have you learned your lesson?” Lifty was confused but nodded. The spanking did hurt but it was very tame compared to the ones he had received in the past (and the ones he would receive in the future, but shh..) so he didn’t cry. He was a bit upset about it, however. His butt wasn’t even pink either. He grabbed the ball and the goal and put them in his room, where Shifty was starting to wake up from his nap. “Huh? Wait, where the heck did that come from?” Shifty asked, pointing to the basketball goal. “It came from the closet. But I got a spanking for using it.” Lifty said, putting it back. Shifty got out of bed and rubbed his eyes. “No, you didn’t, you liar. You’d be crying if you did.” He said. “I did. Dad used a newspaper, so it didn’t hurt that much.” Lifty said, rubbing his butt. Shifty didn’t believe him so he went into the kitchen. “Daddy?” Splendid looked up and smiled. “Hello, Shifty. Did you enjoy your nap?” Splendid asked. “Yeah, but I had a question. Lifty told me he got a spanking with a newspaper for using the basketball goal in our room. Is that true?” Shifty asked. “Well, it was because I told him not to play with the ball inside, twice and because he nearly broke that vase, which is a very valuable and expensive family heirloom. But overall, yes, I did spank your brother with a newspaper.” Splendid said. “Oh,” Shifty said. He headed back into their room, where Lifty was getting a game of Go Fish ready, and sat down. “Hey, wanna play?” Lifty said, pointing to the cards in front of Shifty. “Sure.” Shifty said, picking the cards up. “By the way, I asked Dad if you were telling the truth and he said yes.” Lifty smiled. “I told you. It was kinda fun, though.” He said.
