Story

When Gideon graduated from high school, his parents presented him with his teenage heart's desire, a decorative sword in its scabbard. As a third-year university student, Gideon had just moved into a small neighborhood house along with two other young college men, all three of whom had part-time jobs. All the men worked odd hours and slept whenever they were free from studies or were busy doing enough household chores necessary to keep within public health boundaries.

One afternoon, Gideon was alone for an afternoon nap. His car was parked down the street a bit and the place seemed quiet and deserted. Gideon was nearly asleep when he was aware of a thunderous banging noise outside. He thought little of it until he heard a second metallic sound, louder and nearer. Raising himself on one elbow, he listened intently and stared at his bedroom door which was slightly ajar.

Startled to see three young strangers sneaking down the hall, Gideon (who incidentally sleeps "in the buff") quickly yet quietly climbed out of bed. He snatched his sword from its sheath and burst into the hall after the men, shouting and charging with his sword threateningly. The men scampered for the exit, but not before Gideon nicked one of them in the arm, drawing blood.

As the stunned intruders scurried to their car, the driver began backing down the street. Gideon continued chasing them for half a block, shouting loudly and swinging his glistening sword. He nearly caught them too. Finally realizing that he was naked to the toes, Gideon returned home and hastened to notify the police.

Fortunately, a policewoman was on patrol in the area and knocked on his door just as Gideon was slipping into a pair of shorts. As he began describing what had happened, she mentioned that the neighborhood recently had been plagued with seven such daytime "break and enter" burglaries.

The policewoman stayed long enough to hear Gideon's detailed version and to take pictures of the blood on the damaged front door. Before leaving his home, she received a call from headquarters advising her that due to Gideon's presence in the house and his immediate telephone call, the police had a good idea who the culprits were and were presently continuing their investigation.

Then, with a grin, she told Gideon that it was a good thing that he had called the station first because a neighborhood woman had seen the chase and telephoned right after Gideon's call to report that a crazy naked man with a sword was chasing three boys down her street!

The story continues with more "truth is stranger than fiction" happenings. The three thieves, two of them still in their teens, were indeed apprehended and brought to court.

Gideon, dressed in an impressive business suit and carrying his briefcase bulging with classroom papers, appeared on the assigned day at the courthouse, read to testify. When the security bailiffs saw Gideon, they mistook him for an attorney and waved him through without scanning him.

And then, to top off this unusual story, the mother of one of the accused believed that Gideon was the prosecuting attorney! She tearfully approached Gideon and pleaded with him to please go easy on her son. Gideon's reply, "Are you crazy, woman? That was my house!"