For the past couple of years my grandson, Harvey J, has kept a box of treasures marked 'Preshis thigs' (he was only 3 when he wrote it); it contains all sorts of interesting objects, and is his own present day equivalent of a Victorian 'Cabinet of Curiosities'.
Last year I contributed a horse's tooth to his collection, and this year we shall offer the above.
A roe deer antler (Monty's discovery), a piece of bleached coral, a fossilised scallop shell (my discovery), an egg shaped stone with some pyrites, a fossilised witches finger (Lady M's discovery), and a mouse's skull (Freddie's discovery).
Nifty eh?
19 comments:
Such a box is one of the best toys ever invented and something which, if he has any sense, he'll treasure until the end of his days. It's not a collection of peculiar things, it's a series of keys to unlock doors to rooms full of thought and curiosity about the world.
Splendid.
I could not agree more. Any small boy who hasn't one, is genuinely deprived.
Louis doesn't just have a box. His entire bedroom is like this!
I predict a bright future ahead of him!
There is a wonderful book by John Janovy called "on becoming a biologist" in which he talks about how most biologists can trace their interest in the natural world back to singular events in our history and that one of the things we all have in common (including us ladies Cro!) is a collection of natural treasures. I don't suppose that means every child who collects such things will become a biologist but it is an interesting observation. Kudos to you and Lady Cro for encouraging!
I would amend that to say "any small child".
I stand chastised... I was thinking of all those squashed frogs, foul smelling liquids, and objects of unknown origin!
Great stuff. Things to stir the imagination.
Nice collection of things in the photo! As a child, i'd collect shells, pebbles, or sea glass, and even now, i'll pick up a few. I also like gathering feathers. Usually, those go to the kitties. I keep waiting for the turkeys that come by nearly daily to drop one of their feathers--now THAT would be a nice find. So far, though, no luck.
Little boys do love these things. That's a nice collection you have for him there!
What great finds!! I know he will love them all. What a neat idea. Wish I had started one when Jacob was 3. We have found all sorts of things on our walks, but alas, did not think to keep them.
Long ago, I found a bottle with a mouse skull in it. I kept it for the longest time, but have no idea where it is today. Nice memories for the Grands.
Kind of off-topic but sort of related....
Click here: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=9046248
for a wonderful story about a small door that suddenly appeared at the base of a tree in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Someone took their time creating it as it has a beautiful finish.
Might there be room on your pirate ship for a locked treasure chest or a small locked door at the base of one of the trees (Lady M in charge of one of the keys, always).
As you might have guessed, I never grew up. ;-)
I love those little doors; maybe I'll have to make one myself.
The treasure chest is a great idea. It could even start its life BURIED.
Great finds - I am a bit like that - always picking things up that catch my eye - a bit of a magpie.
That is one cool collection! I have a box of precious things similar to that. Wonderful.
Holy Cow! Buried treasure, maps....you're way ahead of me, Cro. I'm beginning to wish I was one of your grandsons.
I love these little things,my grandchildren also leave me little treasures,one is a heart shaped stone that sits on my desk.Sometimes it is flowers and I dry them if I can but even a beautiful stick is so lovely to them and to us oldies.I keep what I find that they have left in a special place and mauybe it is time to "put" them into something...mmmm I always find things to think about on your blog.
Fabulous. I have my own collection of such things. I suspect elder grandson, who is always to be found running or on the end of a football, might not stand still long enough for a box of treasures but I might be wrong. Younger one certainly would.
At the base of our big Redwood is a wooden door very similar to the one in the video. It is always a source of amusement for the grandkids. Gives me an idea for a post.
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