One child is chosen “It.” This one stands by a post or in a corner which is called “base,” and hides his eyes. The children decide among themselves how many he shall count while the are hiding. Suppose they choose 100, the he counts 5, 10, 15, 20, etc., until he reaches 100, and then he calls out:
Ready or not,
You shall be caught.
The children having hidden while he was counting remain perfectly still while he is hunting them. If he passes by some child without finding him, that one may run to the “base” and say “One, two, three, I’m in free!” As many children as can, try to get in “free,” but if the one who is “it” sees a child, runs to the base and touches it first calling: “One, two, three,” and the child’s name he has to be “it.” If the child reaches the “base” first he is “free” and the game proceeds until some one is “caught.” If all the children get “free” the one who is “it” again hides his eyes.
Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain
Image © the bbp @ Flickr, Attribution
