Here I Bake, Here I Brew

Children Playing Games

The players join hands in a circle, with one of their number in the middle, who is supposed to be a captive, longing for freedom and reduced to diplomatic means to secure it.

The prisoner touches one pair of joined hands in the circle saying “Here I Bake.” Then, passing to the other side, says “Here I Brew,” as she touches another pair of hands. Suddenly, then, in a place least suspected, perhaps whirling around and springing at two of the clasped hands behind her, or at the pair which she had touched before, if their owners appear to be off guard, she exclaims “Here I mean to break though!” and forces her way out of the circle if she can.

The players must be on the alert and strongly resist the captive’s effort to escape.

Those who permitted her to regain her freedom – through inattention or weakness – must then make use of the “counts” familiar to all generations of children, to decide which of them shall take the place of the prisoner.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © CiCCiO.it @ Flickr, Share Alike

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