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"Wide-Eyed Wonder"
My cat watches as I open
a birthday gift.
Photo by Matt Wynne |
In the world of a child's playtime, there is no end to the joyful mysteries one can find inside an ordinary box, whether real or imagined. The preschooler that I nanny often "picks" pretend flowers for me to smell and gives me plenty of imaginary tea and cookies every day. This child loves to hold ordinary objects as an adult might do with a dazzling jewel or a precious piece of art. Today a tiny beanbag was delicately handled with wide-eyed wonder.
"Look, Nanny," the child whispered with excited intensity, "it's a special present for you! Guess what's inside!"
I held out my hands for the child to place the beanbag in, and immediately I was caught up in the fascinating imaginary play. What could be inside, I wondered. The package was so small and plain looking. What could the child be imagining it was?
