What was your favorite toy as a child?
I don’t remember.
I grew up dirt poor, so (library) books and later TV were how I entertained myself.
I do recall my father coming home one Christmas. He, that is we, had no money but there was pressure to produce “toys” for “the boy”. He came home and tossed a hastily wrapped box on the floor opposite the tree.
I knew he was ashamed.
On cue, I tore into the wrapping with as much excitement and gratitude as I could to make him feel good. I only recall a jump rope in that box, the kind from a dollar store, and I doubt I ever used it. What I do remember is even at a young age I understood consideration.
Perhaps a better question would be: What’s my favorite quality that I gained from toys? To that, gratitude and consideration.
(The photo above is of an maneki neko, a cat that welcomes people or fortune. It is the size of my pinky nail. Toy or decoration, look closely and appreciate it.)
made by you and I 
What an important lesson that was learned!
Also what is the dome shaped thing in between your fingers?
Is that the cat??
Hopping in from the community,
Dream
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The cat is actually a bit smaller than even that, that plate of domed sushi. It’s one of the toys they give children at a local sushi restaurant. They have a whole collection to keep you coming back. 🙂
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Oh wow, that’s very tiny then!
Smart strategy!
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Better than the gift of a jump rope, you learned consideration. And since you will always have it. It was the best gift. I’m curious about that tiny domed thing. What is it?
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THAT is a plate of “tuna” sushi. It’s a toy they give to children at a local sushi restaurant in town.
I included it, partly, to give reference to just how small the cat is — smaller than that plate of sushi.
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I recall more than one story from bemused parents of children who played more with the “big box” that the expensive gift came in. These were teachable experiences about the location of appreciation!
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My cats would agree. 😁
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I understand where you are coming from as many children here don’t have toys especially in the villages…a common comment I hear is you can’t eat toys…However, there is no shortage of smiles and there is usually a ball that can be kicked about and trees to climb plus lizards to hunt (for) dinner…Who is better off? The child with absolutely everything or the child who appears to have nothing but who appreciates what he has and smiles far more…?
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I agree with you. Where are thee villages you’re writing about?
I’ve traveled all through Asia and have met kids with similar dispositions. Cambodia in the 90’s come to mind (it’s the only time I’ve ever seen real starvation). Imagination and curiosity were for them, today’s iPhone.
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