Stories for Little Kids

My Box and String Author: Betty Woods

I made a thing with a box and string. It took me most of the day. This thing, you see was just for me- a place for me to play. When it was done, then, oh what fun to have it for my own! I got inside where i could hide How nice to be alone! What did i see? It seemed to be two legs and something square! It was a boy! "I have a toy!,"he said, "to put in there." " Well I'm in here! Don't you come near!' I said. "But look, " said he. "Its much more fun for two than one to play. Now just you see!" "Oh no you don't," I said. "You wont put that toy in this thing! I did not do this work for you. This is my box and string!" "Well, I cant make you play. I'll take my toy," he said, "and go" " and that will be okay with me," said I, and then, "Oh, oh!" "Quack, quack, what luck!" (It was a duck with bigger feet than legs.) She said to me, "How nice! I see a place to lay my eggs!" "Oh no! Not that!" I said. Duck sat down and looked at me. " If you let me in, you'll get an egg each day," said she. " But it wont do," I said, "for you to be in here each day. This thing is mine. For me, its fine. But you'd be in the way!" "Away you go" I said. And so Duck said good-bye to me. But what was that? It was up at the top! What could it be? A-flip, a-flop, up at the top- a nose and ears and eyes! In came the Dog's head."Not bad," Dog said, "I'll try it on for size." "It does seem small," he said. "But all dog houses seem that way." "Dog, you have got to go! It's not a house for you, I say!'' ''Why not?" said he. I said, "You see, this is my box and string. It would not do for a dog like you to live in such a thing!" "Okay, okay! If thats the way you feel, then out I go!'' Dod said, "good-bye!" Then in did fly a bird that said,"hello.'' "Say, this is fine! And is it mine?" He sat down for a rest. "It seems to be to big for me, but it's a nice big nest!" "A nest for you? But you are too small to live in this thing! Its not a nest for you, you pest. This is my box and string!" "I see it is," Bird said, and his eyes looked this way and that. "Oh, oh," said Bird. And with that word he went. And in came a Cat! "Hello," said Cat, as she looked at the box and string and me. "This thing is just the place i must have for my family!" "Your family!" I said. ''But see here, Cat, that will not do. A place this small will not hold all your family and you!" Cat would not go. She said, "Oh no. This thing will do just fine!""It will not do," I said "for you. This box and string is mine!'' So out went the Cat, and that was that. At last they were gone! But oh dear me, it would not be for long if this went on. "Now I must stay in here all day," I said. "For if I go- someone will get inside and let the others in I know!" "Hello in there!" I looked up where a girl looked in at me. "This seems okay. My doll can stay in this doll house," said she. " Doll house?" said I. "Oh why oh why do you say such a thing? This place, you see, was made for me. This is my box and string! Just go away and let me play alone. Just let me be" "What can you do with no one to play with you>" said she. "What can I do? I said. "If you will take your doll and go, Why, I can be a-let me see-I'll play- why, I don't know!"What could I play, alone all day, inside my box and string? "Oh why," I said, and shook my head, "did I make such a thing?" the girl said,"Well, just let me tell you what I think you've done. You've made this thing, this box and string, and that was what was fun!" And that was so! I said, "I know- I know what will do. I will get out and let you in. I'll let your doll in too!" "Now you can stay in her and play. This is your box and string! I have made one. Now, oh what fun to make another thing!" "Thank you! Oh my!" she said, and I ran home and looked about. I found some things- boxes and strings-and soon I had them out. There was so much to do! Oh, such a busy day was that! But I was done, and then what fun: " here boy,duck, dog, bird, cat!" " I have made five more things, and see I've made them all for you! Here is one, Boy, to hold your toy. It's yours! Now will it do?" "Duck, you may lay your eggs each day in yours! Now let me see- This one is big for Dog. It's his dog house. How will that be? I did my best to make a nest for you, Bird. Do you see? And for you, Cat, I've made one that will hold your family!''Thank you! Thank you!" they said. And do you know what I did then? I made some more! Soon there were four! And soon I made more ten! And all theses things- boxes and strings- were mine...to give away! Oh, if you could come here, I would make one for you today!