Girlish memories

It is a dark rainy afternoon in 1960. The wind is blowing the rain into the big eyed faces peering out from hooded raincoats as children go back to school after lunch.

Back then most children went home at lunch time and on rainy days they were like little ducks splashing in the puddles, running, laughing, playing all the way back to school.

One little girl, wearing a speckled rain coat with orange, yellow and red splotches all over it is carrying a wicker basket. She is walking a little more carefully than all the rest because she doesn't want to drop her basket.  It has a domed top that opens in the middle and is held closed by a long stick running through two wicker loops.

Today is show and tell and she is bringing one of her favorite show and tells ever. It belongs to her Daddy who keeps it high on one of his bookshelves beside the skulls of a porpoise, an alligator, a monkey and something else she can't remember.

It is one of two, but this one is the best because it has a jaw that hinges down underneath. Not attached of course, that would require tendons and muscles, but there is a jaw and teeth and you can hold it to show how it would work.

And, best of all, in her opinion, this one is a ten year old boy's skull and she is ten years old too!