{"seoTitle":"Armrest Hog — A Funny Short Story About Travel Manners","seoDescription":"A man who hogs both armrests wherever he goes meets a grandmother with knitting needles and a mischievous smile. A comic parable about manners on public transport.","keywords":"funny short story, armrest hog, travel humor, comic parable, train story, travel manners","content":{"p1":"Armrest Hog had a snout like a pig, but that's not why they called him Armrest Hog.","p2":"Whether he took a bus, train, or plane, he hogged both armrests. Most people were too shy to say anything.","p3":"Sometimes Armrest Hog would even extend his elbows halfway into his neighbor's seat. They would squirm, turn red, but generally kept their mouths shut.","p4":"Armrest Hog loved spreading his wings.","p5":"One day a grandmother boarded a train to see her grandchildren. She had booked a window seat and was looking forward to her journey. The train wove along the coast by rivers and coves. It was a beautiful sunny day.","p6":"Then Armrest Hog sat down beside her. His elbow stretched into her lap.","p7":"Armrest Hog quickly fell asleep as the train departed. Armrest Hog always slept. Armrest Hog always snored too.","p8":"The grandmother squirmed. She couldn't even rest her arms comfortably in her own lap.","p9":"\"I have an idea,\" she smiled as she pulled out her yarn. \"This sweater will not only keep my grandson warm.\" She threaded the red yarn onto her knitting needle.","p10":"\"Should I?\" she thought.","p11":"Just then the train hit some rough track. Armrest Hog's thick forearm fell further into her lap.","p12":"Gramma positioned the tip of her knitting needle near the soft crook of his elbow. \"Should I?\" she thought again. \"No, I mustn't.\"","p13":"Just then the train jolted.","p14":"\"Ouch!\" cried Armrest Hog.","p15":"\"What happened?\" he exclaimed.","p16":"The grandmother giggled under her breath, then continued knitting, peacefully, not saying a word.","p17":"Armrest Hog folded his arms across his own chest."}}