Storytelling Sunday 3 ~ The Matchbox

It’s the first Sunday of the month and that can only mean one thing. In Sian’s own words:

Storytelling Sunday Three? There is no excuse for not joining in with this one! Everyone can do it. Pick Your Precious is about celebrating the little things you love: those souvenirs, bits and pieces, things from your past you can't bear to throw out. You know, the special little something you have tucked away in a drawer or up on a shelf? Or the thing you love most in a room? Or the object you would save if you knew you had to leave the country? Your favourite things.

Sian had suggested a theme of travel for July, but, for me, the first week in July is all about Wimbledon and the Gold Hill fair. I’ve used both of these as a subject for Storytelling Sunday before. What else? The School Summer Fete and something that came to mind, while taking part in The Great Big Swap of Small Things.

I was fairly sure I still had this prize winning matchbox tucked away somewhere. Thankfully it didn’t take long to find, in our incredibly hot attic, this afternoon. Carefully labelled by my 8 year old hand and filled with a multitude of very small things indeed. The competition being who could fit the most items inside the box.

The accompanying list has long since disappeared, but I know there were 100 items on it. That was my aim, when I started to fill it. My Dad said I’d never do it, so of course that made me all the more determined. Each one had to be different.

The largest things include a patch, from my puncture repair kit, and a raffle ticket. Among the smallest are a seed bead and a tiny button from Action Girl’s clothes. There are pieces of elastic, lace, fabric, tissue, cellophane and thread. A pin, needle, popper, hook and eye, staple and paper clip.

The dust cap from my bike tyre and an apple pip. Sindy’s fork and a piece from an Airfix kit. I wonder if my brother missed that last one? A spare brush from one of our Scalextric cars and a strip of ammunition from my cap gun. As I put them all back in the box, they conjured up many memories from my childhood.

When I first looked at the photo, I noticed the ivory coloured thing nestling in the middle and for one horrible moment I thought it was a tooth. It’s not. I can no longer recall what my prize was, but more than likely a book token, probably for the princely some of a pound. I would have been delighted with that.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and commenting on the other 26 stories (so far) between games in this afternoon’s epic Wimbledon final. The perfect way to ease the tension. Find them all over at Sian’s place From High in the Sky.

PS If you’re one of the winners from my giveaway, please could you let me have your address and colour choices as soon as possible. Thank you.