by John T. Bird
The Best Birthday Present Ever. About 63 years ago, when I was 2 years old, Santa Claus, aided by Mike and Agnes Bird, left a Jack In The Box by my stocking. My parents later told me the story of what happened that Christmas morning when we kids went to see what Santa had left for us. My older brother, Michael, entered the room, spied the Jack In The Box, and ran to it, hugging it to his chest and declared that it was the one thing that he had really, really wanted from Santa. Mike and Agnes didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was intended for young John (me) and so the Jack In The Box went to a place of honor in Michael’s room, where I admired it countless times, not knowing at first that it had been intended for me, and later feeling especially deprived, when I learned the story. As Michael moved around the country, the Jack In The Box always went with him, placed in a safe spot, for all to admire. It became a part of the fabric of our relationship, and from time to time I would lament my loss and my older brother would smile knowingly, reminding me of the injustice of life. He had MY Jack In The Box! Today is my 65th birthday. A package arrived, from my brother. Look what he gave me, 63 years later. It is something money can’t buy; love from a brother, symbolized by that smiling puppet, in its fraying case, reminding me of the ties that bind and making me wish our mom and dad could see what I finally received from them, and him, and from my other siblings who joined in sending it my way. It is the best birthday present, ever.
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Notes*
Nosey – A Jonthay Joymaker, 166 Duane St, New York City. Composition toy is in the original wooden box. His name is “NOSEY” and he is a spin-off of from Pinocchio. He is part of a set of toys produce by Jonthay. The set includes Nosey, Earsley and Tailsey. NOSEY is made of composition and stands 10 inches tall. He has a spring in his lower body that allows him to POP out of the box. Nosey is in very nice condition with minor crazing, and only a minor amount of paint wear to the top of his head. The box is wooden and is 5 3/4 inches tall when closed. There are graphics on all sides. There is a metal button on the front that when pushed, allows Nosey to POP out of the box, just like a Jack-in-the-box. The side of the box describing Nosey reads- When Nosey Tells A Falsehood His Nose Grows Very Tall. When He’s Good and Tells The Truth It Will of Course Get Small! Vintage 1940s, scarce toy in very nice overall condition. source …http://www.tias.com/102/PictPage/1922505419.html
