KIDDIES’ TOYS THAT LIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 16

KIDDIES’ TOYS THAT LIVE

In your tiny one's imagination that much-handled Teddy or “ Mickey ” is real and alive, so consider a little child’s tender feelings when you talk about “getting rid of these toys.” Prince Edward “ always thoughtfully lifts Teddy out when he considers there is anything exciting to be seen across the road.” An exchange recently printed this statement with regard to “our baby Prince.” What a wonderful and interesting thing it is to see how our tiny ones put. real life into at least one of their toys, which henceforward shares the normal life of his little owner. The rest are played with periodically and laid aside, but the special favourite is placed in a position of advantage to see what his young master is doing. When my own little son was just three years old, his granny knitted him a “ Mickey Mouse,” complete with large ears, black button eyes, and boot-lace tail. From the moment the toddler set eyes on “ Mickey ” the latter simply came to life. He took part in everything of interest in my boy’s life. Whenever a steam-roller, traction engine or car was to be seen “ Mickey ” must have the first and best view. And this was a child who usually showed very little interest in toys without wheels to go round, or works Doesn’t this show us how necessary it is to give our youngsters something they can make friends with, and be generous and thoughtful cowards? Failing a brother or sister, is it not a good thing to let your little one have a pet of some kind to learn to love? In many cases, even that is impracticable, and then the child should be encouraged to make a real friend of one of his toys. On one occasion my nusband called to my little son to come to the window to see a pack of hounds complete with huntsmen coming along the road. Imagine father’s surprise when the boy simply tore out of the room and up the stairs. Ho eventually arrived, very breathless, with “ Mickey,” whom father had to hold up above the curtain before the boy would clamber on to a chair in order to get his nvn view. Some weeks later I found him kneeling with his head in a cushion, peeping bitterly. It turned out that granny had noticed that “ Mickey ” was getting a little grubby and the worse for wear. Unthinkingly. she had suggested taking his inside out and re-stuffing him, and then sending him lo be cleaned! Imagine re-stuffing and cleaning a real live “ Mickey ”! Eventually “ Mickey ’ was cleaned up with warm bran but it “musn’t be too hot! ” My boy is now 10 years old, full of his “ bike," rugger, and school, but “ Old Mick ” is still tucked away in his trunk in his bedroom, I don’t quite know when he actually ceased to breathe, but it wasn't so very long ago!—Home Chat.