Tuesday, September 23, 2008

This Little Piggy

Of all the things you expect to drop out of a Jiffy bag on a rainy Thursday, a small felt pig probably isn't one of them. My youngest brother had hinted obscurely that he would be sending something which would bring back memories. Always a difficult one this; not all memories are good ones. Some things are best left to lie. Some things might need more of an explanation than I want to give.
So when this little toy slid out of the envelope I squealed - I oinked - with delight. I was 5 years old again. I had completely forgotten this piggy. Isn't she a sweetie? I can't remember how many years it is since I saw her last.

Now, if everybody had their own she actually belonged to my other brother. For a 54 year old toy which once belonged to a boy she's in pretty good shape don't you think? I suspect he moved on quite quickly from stuffed animals to the real thing although I don't recall him being much of a pig enthusiast.

Looking back - as the memories flood in - I think we were something of a family for small felt toys. I had a white felt mouse with a wired tail. (The wire eventually poked through the felt and I never really liked it as much after that.) AJC had a blue felt rabbit - I think it was called 'Blue Bun'. MRC had the pig. There was also a flattish yellow duckling with a floppy orange beak - most unsatisfactory - and a black cat which even now if you thump it hard enough will emit a pitiful bleat.
Back then they were all blessed with beady eyes. There were no large labels warning of hazardous parts and being unsuitable for small children. My mother did though have a spate of cutting out the eyes of our teddies (a gruesome thought) lest we should suck them off and choke. An early example of 'elf 'n' safety and an uncharacteristically maternal act on her part.

I suppose that may be why I live to tell the tale of course.

10 comments:

Milla said...

argh, yes, sounds brutal, eye chopping. Still think that pig is vaguely sinister and scary, but am easily scared! Cute little skirt though, and her pins aren't bad for 50.

Zoƫ said...

Love old toys with stories, these days everything seems so throwaway, to be usurped by the latest fad; so they are even more special.

I have an bald and ancient ancient mohair spaniel given to me by my grandmother on my 7th birthday. He sits in a winged Queen Anne chair in my bedroom, and knows every secret I have ever had.

Thank you for sharing yours, it's lovely, love the slightly mashed cat too.

Kitty said...

Very sweet piggy, what a lovely reminder of your childhood.

Fennie said...

I am impossibly sentimental over stuffed toys. Even today I feel a sharp pang of something or other if I see a Teddy Bear on the radiator of a dustcart. Who could ever discard a teddy, I would ask - and I would think of the poor, unloved cold, damp little thing just waiting to be rescued. So I'm glad you rescued your pig, even though she should be advised against flying.

Cutting out eyes sounds equally horrid. Why on earth would I, even aged three, have wanted to pull out an eye?

Elizabethd said...

Fennie, me too. totally sentimental about my childhood things.
Little pig is sweet.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

They look wonderful! Dad still has his old teddy and it's about the same age as he is, so 70+!

Woozle1967 said...

I had a felt donkey complete with straw hat and carrot but have never got over the trauma of leaving him in the cinema as a small child. Oh, my poor Carrots - just hope someone else loved him too.

Annie said...

I believe everyone should have a tiny felt teddy to tell their troubles to....This is the saleswoman in me talking here. Anyone feeling the need please just shout.

Jodie Robson said...

I had a tiny felt mouse I loved dearly - I wish I knew what had happened to her!

carolyn said...

Finding old toys is such a wonderful, if rather emotional experience.