Rube Goldberg™ & © of Rube Goldberg, Inc.

Rube Goldberg tries to write a letter on a piece of flypaper and while struggling to release himself, finds an idea for a self-opening umbrella.

Raindrops (A) fall on dried prune (B), causing it to swell and push against stick (C) which forces iron hand (D) to rub wheel against flint (E) in empty cigar-lighter(F). Flying sparks (G) ignite candle (H) which starts water in kettle (I) boiling. Escaping steam (J) blows whistle (K). Circus monkey (L) thinks whistle is master's signal to start act and jumps on trapeze (M) which swings and causes edge of knife (N) to sever cord (O), releasing toy balloon (P). As balloon ascends attached string (Q) opens door of cage releasing Ikklebirds (R) which fly in all directions, causing strings to lift ends of umbrella. If you are hard up and can't afford a new prune for each successive rain storm, stay in the house and wait for the original prune to get old and wrinkled again.