The Toy-Shop

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Toy-Shop

—PRIZE— The toys each night when lights are out, Make ready for their fun, They all jump from their shelves and come To life—yes, every one! The dolls dance with the teddy-bears, The pipers play their time, The dancers chatter merrily While waltzing round the room. The golliwog plays at the drum, He loves all noise, I’m sure, He winks at Annabelle the doll; But hark—they hear the door. The owner looks around and says, “I thought I heard a noise.” To him ’twill stay a mystery, We know it was the toys. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Marion Stobo, M.A.C., M.A. (14), 20 Wellington street. —PRIZE— I wandered down the street today, And saw a quaint old man Come to the doorway of his shop As afternoon began. He had the dearest, quaintest, shop, Which seemed to smile and say, “Come in an see what I have got, You’ve heaps of time today.” I stepped inside and looked about, And oh! the things I saw— Balloons and balls and dolls, and books, From ceiling to the floor; Some dolls, like woodland goblins stood With wicked, impish looks, And others, sweet as fairies, that One sees in picture books. ’ But balls, in vivid colours made, Were everywhere about, And toys and tops and soldiers there, To make the children shout. I was loath to leave that toyshop, for It was so quaint and new, So different from toy-shops that I am accustomed to. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Isobel McKenzie, MA..C. (16), Dipton.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— On Christmas Eve I saw a dog, A wise young pup was he, He lifted up a dirty paw And said “Good-night” to me. I asked him what he thought about The lovely Christmas shops. He said, “The best things I’ve seen

out Have been some mutton chops.” “But what about the splendid toys And pretty dolls we see?” “Oh, they’re quite good for girls and boys, But not for pups like me.” And so I left him in the wet, Still standing there alone; I hope dear Santa won’t forget To leave that dog a bone. —3 marks to Cousin Myrtle Carter (13), Winton, Otapiri R.D. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— There’s a tiny toy-shop In Fairyland, Where gollywogs play i On a very fine band, | With mouth-organ, trumpet, i And Jew’s harp as well, I While dolly-girls glide [ In dresses so sweet. [ There are sailors, and teddies, And soldiers so grand, Who with these fair dolly-girls L Dance to the band.

Said Mickey to Minnie “They are having fun Come let’s go and join them. Be quick, let us run.” The blocks and the puzzles The tea-sets and gun Said, “I wish we had legs, And could join in the fun.” —3 marks to Cousin Marie Sutton (13), Palmer street, Grassmere Terrace.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— There’s a toy-shop at the corner With a wonderful array of toys; They’re enough to gladden anyone’s heart— Especially girls’ ind boys.’ In the middle of the window Lies a beautiful baby doll, And standing close beside it Is a parrot, “Pretty Poll.” Whenever I go past the shop I always take a peep To see if the baby doll’s still there. Lying fast asleep. —3 marks to Cousin Vera Lake A.C., (13), Tussock Creek, Section 8. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— Thg children keep all sorts of things, Inside their small toy-shop, There’s fruit, and cloth, and vegetables, And shelves with dolls on top.

And in the shop are toy tea-rooms,

Where cake or drinks are served, I’ll guarantee the toy tea-shop By dolls, would be preferred. —3 marks to Cousin Clara Lobb, V.A.C., (12), Box 28, Edendale.

—HIGHLY COMMENDED—“The toy-shop is a wonderful place,” All the children say, As they stand at the window watching the toys, And would like there ever to stay. There are dolls and trains of every size, And balls and racquets too;

I’d love to own a toy-shop And I’m sure you would too. —2 marks to Cousin Eva Lake V.A.C., (14), Tussock Creek, Section 8, Invercargill-Glencoe R.D. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— The toy-shop laid a magic charm On my heart when first I passed The rows of bats and shining balls That round the door were massed. The bicycles just seemed to wait The touch of my eager hand, The trumpets and the drums would ring With a happy ringing clang.

The shop wall was hidden by Bright toys, both big and small, Noah’s arks and big railway trains, And tin soldiers straight and tall. Something bright within me grew, When I came near the door, I’d love to live in that toy-shop, And leave it never more. —2 marks to Cousin Patricia Henderson (13), Waikana, Mataura.

—HIGHLY COMMENDED— In the daytime the toys in the toyshop all sleep, But at night-time they open their

eyes; Then out of their boxes they all softly creep, So the shopman can’t hear if he tries.

“0, let’s play ‘blindman’s buff!’ ”

cries the teddy-bear brown, So they gather together to play. The tin-soldier, who’s “blind man,” poor fellow, falls down. But the others get out of his way.

But as it gets later, the toys nod their heads, And try to keep wakeful in vain; And when six o’clock strikes, they are safe in their beds, And are soundly asleep once again. —2 marks to Cousin Mary Maloney V.A.C., (12), Makarewa.