Geronimo And The Hobby Horse.

One afternoon Geronimo,

Was sorting out Nan’s shed,

As he lifted all the boxes,

His face went Ruby red.

"Good gracious me," he panted,

"You are a dreadful hoarder,

I think it will take several years,

To get this place in order!"

"I’ve found ornaments and papers,

Which seem to be so old,

We really should get rid of them,

But I am not that bold!"

"You can’t do that," came the reply,

"Because my dear you see,

The "rubbish" in these boxes,

Is part of history."

"Oh surely not!" scoffed Teddy,

"I’ve found a wooden horse,

He’s sadly past his sell by date,

And will not last the course."

"I know you’re sentimental,

But this thing is so tatty,

Let’s chop it up for firewood,

To keep him would be batty!"

"You can’t do that!" Nan cried aghast,

"He’s not yours to destroy,

Ned might look quite old fashioned,

But he was my favourite toy!

We didn’t have computers,

But he gave me lots of pleasure,

Which means as far as I’m concerned,

He’s something we should treasure!"

"When this mammoth task is over,

I’ll give him a good clean,

Then when everything is shipshape,

I’ll show you what I mean!"

Our furry Chum was doubtful,

But of course he didn’t say,

He just kept very busy,

Putting everything away!

When the shed was neat and tidy,

The old lady gave a grin,

"Okay," she giggled loudly,

"We’d better get him in!"

She then picked up the hobby horse,

And carried him indoors,

"Oh golly!" thought the little Bear,

"Great problems this could cause!"

He followed her into the house,

As quickly as he could,

"In just a while," she told him,

"He’ll soon be looking good!"

She took hold of the grubby toy,

And cleaned it with a duster,

"That’s better," she smiled broadly,

"I think he passes muster!"

"Oh Nan," said our Geronimo,

"That horse may well be clean,

But I still have the feeling,

That better days he’s seen.

I realise that you love him,

And don’t want to cause a row,

But surely even you can see,

He won’t be useful now!"

"Oh is that so?" came the reply,

"Well I do not agree,

Let’s go out for a little walk,

And quite surprised you’ll be!"

In no time whatsoever,

They’d reached a nearby field,

Where some wonderful surprises,

Were soon to be revealed!

She put the horse upon the grass,

And then she smiled at Teddy,

"Hop on then," she instructed him,

"As everything is ready!"

"Oh golly!" thought our Furry Chum,

"The things I have to do,

But since I love her dearly,

I’ll have to see this through!"

He climbed aboard the wooden toy,

And then he started rocking,

"I’m enjoying this," he murmured,

"Which really is quite shocking!"

"Well not to me!" Nan answered,

"This was my favourite game,

And after some encouragement,

I knew you’d feel the same."

"Times may have changed," she added,

"But little ones have not,

And your imagination,

Is the greatest gift you’ve got.

This horse of mine may not be real,

But of this I am sure,

Today you’ve travelled further,

Than you’ve ever done before!"

"You know," smiled Bear so happily,

"I’m glad you won this bet,

Because this lovely afternoon,

Is one I won’t forget!"

THE END.