Fooled ya!

Some families like to play practical jokes amongst themselves, but especially on non-family members, or those newly integrated into the family - like brothers or sisters-in-law. Well, Darlene's family is no different and they have a rather clever way to have some fun at the newcomer's or visitor's expense. Darlene's brothers and sister are particularly skilled at using their imaginations to concoct quite amazing stories. These stories sound rather implausible at first, but seem to become validated by the fact that each family member chimes in with their own piece of the story. In the end, you're left wondering how the story can possibly be true. In time you find out it isn't true at all. But you are left puzzled at how everyone present seemed to know details of the story enough to contribute a part of it. As it turns out, they just used their imaginations. So how did they know the story being delivered by the first family member was just that - a story? Did they rehearse? No - the trick is in the family secret word. Darlene's family all have an agreed-upon secret word that instantly identifies that the story being told is a tall tale. In this case the word is blanket (it's not really, but if I told you the real word, I wouldn't be able to fool you with any of my own fake stories). The trick is to start the story and try to fit the secret word into the tale early on, so as to signal the others that you're just playing a game for the amazement of the uninitiated. Once the family members have heard the secret word, they are now clued into the fact and can begin to craft their own contribution to the story when their opportunity arises. It's fun for the people who are in on it - and quite baffling for others. Darlene's family have crafted some amazing stories over the years and had most people convinced the events really happened.