Treats

TREATS
I had done as I had been told. I had been taken to a place by the side of some other very young children and been told to run up to a rope which was stretched out some way in front of me. I suppose I was an active child and I found no difficulty in running. In this case, however, it was not on grass, cut short as on the ‘Rec’ or in Fleming Park but over or between grass which came up to my knees and which had a multitude of cow-pats in it. Having run as far as the rope, I went back, like the good girl I was, and shy, too, to join my mother. “You’ve won”, some ladies said to me. “Go and get your prize.” Again I was taken by the hand to where a lady was about to give me a small packet. It had all been so sudden. I had no idea what sort of prize I might receive, but the way in which “prize” was said had raised my expectations. I was led to believe it would be something extra special. So I reached up eagerly to take what was being offered. I was encouraged to look at the contents. SOAP! I do not know if my reaction was visible. I expect it was. Tall ladies bent over me. “How lovely”, they said. I made my way back to my mother and her friends. “It's soap”, I said, disgusted with the description of this mundane object as a “prize”. I don't remember what she said to assuage my disappointment. I know I thought it was hardly worth all the build-up!