The post office and children as parcels.

The post office itself is an inexhaustible treasure trove of funny stories and jokes. But sometimes people do their best to make things even more absurd. At least from the point of view of modern man. The post office and children as parcels

Postal services have been around since time immemorial, but the ability for ordinary people to send large parcels did not come about that long ago, about a hundred years ago. Any innovation is primarily to improve services, but people's greed is sometimes beyond comprehension.

As of 1 January 1913, the US Post Office was allowed to accept parcels weighing more than 2 kilograms, but the rules for such postal items were rather vague and there were no clear instructions on what exactly the packages should look like to be sent. This situation was exploited by the couple, Jesy and Matilda Beagle, who decided to send their 8-month-old son, to his grandmother - who lives in Ohio. The Beagles paid 15 cents for the stamps and insured the precious parcel (in case of loss) for $50 , and then handed it over to the postman, who delivered the baby to his grandmother's house.

Mail and children as parcels, on an ongoing basis.

The story was a big hit, making headlines all over the US and it should have put an end to the practice, but it didn't. After reading about the case, everyone else in the United States decided to send their children through the postal service. For example, a divorced woman sent her six-year-old daughter to her father in another state and city. The child travelled 1,150 kilometres as a "parcel", at a cost of 15 cents, which was spent buying stamps.

In another case, a four-year-old girl, Charlotte May Pierstorff, was also sent as a parcel and with a postage stamp affixed to her coat. The expedition took place between two Idaho towns some 115 km apart. This went on until 1920, when finally the post office management realised the absurdity of the situation and banned the acceptance of children as parcels.

Well, if any of you suddenly decide to ask your parents: "Where did I come from? and the answer is: "The postman brought you here...

Who knows, if it's true...