July 2008
George  , Uncle Sam  and Idris  are 3 Little Dragons who live together in the Little Dragons’ Basket. They exist happily together and look forward to Tuesday mornings when they come out to greet the children and join in the Welcome. George is the owner of the basket but he welcomed Uncle Sam who came on a visit from USA and decided to stay. Idris came at a later date and also decided to stay. Idris doesn’t come out every week as he likes to spend some ‘alone’ time. (Don’t we all!) LD’s like to take their turn at holding George, Uncle Sam or Idris during story and singing, carefully placing them back (well, mostly) in the Basket at the end of Circle Time.
Idris, although usually happy to spend time with LD’s does, on occasion, like to be excused from Circle Time. He loves to share the Basket with George and Uncle Sam but gets rather weary with their constant chatter about the English Language (English-English or American-English) and different ways of spelling; their differing versions of American and British History and tales of various sailing vessels that have made their way from one continent to the other. Living on the Welsh Borders Idris could tell them a thing or two about history but he doesn’t want to be involved. So, when their chatter has made him feel a little worn, he elects to stay in solitary splendour, making the most of his opportunity to experience complete silence and s-p-a-c-e. 
What a wonderful invention if someone designed similar baskets for those of us who are desperate at times for space, peace and quiet in the midst of the hubble, bubble etc. We could keep items of need – such as a flask of whatever, a good book, an ipod or similar if we are musically inclined. No other person would be able to enter our basket except with permission and only then in the case of dire emergency. What a wonderful thought – except - someone has already invented the garden shed and/or the bath  – so perhaps it’s already too late. Carry on dreaming!
Val Butterworth |
