This post continues the historical backdrop for the Top Ten Things Not to Do. Yesterday was the anniversary of William Tell purportedly shooting the apple off his son’s head in 1307. If you were there at the time, there are ten things that you should take care not to do.
10 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not sneeze at the critical point when he takes aim. If you do, at best William will bless you with a Gesundheit. At worst, your sneeze will throw him off, and you will be the next in line for the apple shot. (Lucky for you he missed his son’s head, Flavien. Now it is your turn, and William looks very angry.)
9 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not ask Tiny the WWF champ to stand in for you. If you do, at best Tiny will eat your apple. At worst, Tiny who just left his veterans of the apple shot near miss support group will be traumatized by the offer. (Tiny works out his trauma by doing body slams, Florian. I think you better start looking for a soft place to land.
8 At William Tell’s archery challenge do not start humming the William Tell Overture. If you do, at best someone will like the tune. At worst, you may be accused of being a warlock since Rossini did not write it until 1829. (A couple of dips in the dunking chair will help clear that music out of your head, Florian. Can’t imagine why you would give in to an earworm anyway.)
7 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not fail to bow in respect to the hat that the newly appointed Austrian Vogt, Albrecht Gessler, has placed on a pole. If you do, at best no one will see you not bow. At worst, you will be arrested for not doing the same thing William Tell did not do. ( I hope you know how to shoot a crossbow, Fonzo. It looks like you have to hit a crabapple off of Tiny’s head. If you miss Tiny is going to be very upset. Especially if you hit him.)
6 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not wear your Austrians Suck t-shirt. If you do, at best the Austrians will think you are joking. At worst, the Austrians will think you are a leader of the Swiss independence movement. (Now you’ve done it, Forseti. The next time you see daylight, it will be at your hanging. Enjoy the brief view.)
5 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not open a stand and begin selling swiss chocolate. If you do, at best the Austrians will like the chocolate. At worst, your chocolate will be declared contraband and you a revolutionary. ( I told you to stick with Speckknödel, Francesco. Now look at the fine kettle of fish you’ve gotten yourself into.)
4 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not ask William for his autograph. If you do, at best he will blow you off. At worst he might give you to the count of five to see if you can outrun a crossbow bolt. (Don’t forget, Frandscus, William just shot the apple off his son’s head. I don’t think he thinks of himself as a hero.)
3 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not offer William a contract to take his apple shooting show on the road. If you do, at best William will be in a good mood and ignore you. At worst, William will sign the agreement with the understanding that you will have the apple on your head. (Well a contract is a contract, Frannsaidh. Looks like you are signed up for a thirty city tour or one depending.)
2 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not start selling T-Shirts that say I’m the Apple of my Daddy’s Eye. If you do, at best William won’t see them. At worst, William’s sense of humor will have hit an all-time low and your T-shirts pushed him over the edge. (Looks like those shirts are going to make a nice bonfire, Franziskus.)
1 At William Tell’s archery challenge, do not start taking odds on whether William will hit the apple or his son. If you do, at best no one will tell him. At worst, William will find out what your activities and come looking for you. (I would stay under that table, Frazier. I don’t think you want to explain yourself right now.)
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks for the laugh, John. Well done!
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Thank you, Mark.
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Sneezing was the first thing that came to my mind too. 😁
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
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You had me cracking up from the start, John. That photo is hilarious, too!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it , Jill. Thanks.
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When I saw the title of this Top Ten list, I knew I was in for a Monday morning chuckle. You did not disappoint, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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I thought, how can he possibly make this funny?? And, of course, you didn’t disappoint! Now I can’t get the Wiliam Tell Overture out of my head and am craving Swiss chocolate. And that Tiny sure gets around. is he like Dr. Who?
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Thank you, Darlene.
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Good advice…but where can I get one? There are a couple of Austrians who I want to piss off (none who are armed though).
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There is a suggestion to look on the White House website. Thanks, Greg
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John,
Where can I get one of those “Austrians Suck” t-shirts? I mean, other than on the White House website. . .
Love your Show and Tell!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Marc.
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I laughed out loud at the notion of “I’m the Apple of my Daddy’s Eye” tee shirts. I’m guessing they make good bandages, too. I was also impressed with Tiny’s “…veterans of the apple shot near miss support group.” – Great list, John.
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Thanks, Dan. This one was fun to do. 😀
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Thank you for another Monday morning belly laugh, John. 😀
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I certainly tru to get those laughs, Gwen. Thanks for letting me know I was successful. 😀
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At least the dunking chair will extinguish the tee-shirt I’m wearing.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Craig. 😀
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Just remember: applesauce = good. Getting sauced while shooting apples = bad.
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Ha ha ha. Excellent , Lind. Thanks.
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Love the t-shirt idea.
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Teri.
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I would be the sneezer after taking bets …lol. another great list John.
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Thank you, Denise.
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I love these lists and how you insert little snippets of your above-average knowledge!
Of course, now I can’t get the overture outta my head now…Hi Ho Silver!
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Get em up scout.
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Oh, gosh! A true historical thriller! Great idea, dear John. When I read about the apple, it was Newton who came into my mind first.
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Yes. Good old gravity.
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🙂
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🙂
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LOL . You nailed it regarding the overture.
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Thanks, Andrew.
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This brightened my day, John. Thanks.
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Well, you just brighten mine, Rob. So, thank you. 😀
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🙂
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🙂
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Anyone as in #6 who’s dumb enough to wear a t-shirt saying: “Austrians Suck” around a gathering of Austrians better stay far away from any type of weapon. He’s sure to end up the main target in the challenge. Good list, John. 😀 — Suzanne
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Suzanne.
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out the latest list from John Howell’s Fiction Favorites blog. This one is the Top 10 Things Not to do When William Tell Shot the Apple off His Son’s Head in 1307
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Thank you, Don
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You’re welcome.
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Well done, John! The Austrian and Swiss banter, and of course Tiny, was really funny!
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Glad you liked it Jennie.
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Very much so, John.
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😀
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These are hilarious, John, and that photo is perfect!
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Thank you, Lauren.
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Man, you had me worried there for a moment. I figured no way in hell could you fit (pun intended) Tiny into this list. However, I’m happy to say that you did not disappoint. But you seldom do.
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Thank you, Andrew. Tiny has moved in with me and I dare not leave him out. 😀
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Tiny has moved in with me and I dare not leave him out. 😀
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Nice to see Tiny is not only featuring in number nine, John. Body slams or not, I think I’d much rather make applesauce that balances an apple on my head while Tiny takes aim. Tiny Tell has a ring to it, wouldn’t you say?
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The Tiny Tell Overture does have a ring. Thanks, Hugh
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