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Way back in the years when little boys were in short pants and little misses were in pretty pinafores we had the rembrance of an enchanted hour. Namely it was the daily storytelling hour at the library. Four o'clock in the afternoon was the time for a trip into a world of delightful fantasy and magic that coloured the minds of the little participants. As they heard the words all was bright and clear all around them. Yes, I do remember those delightful hours.... The children trooped in at four o'clock; sometimes the youngsters numbered twelve and other times a bit more or even less. They were from wee tots of five to those who reached the age of eight or nine. All were eager as they rushed to the quiet corner of the library where small chairs encircled a larger one. Off course, there was playful pushing and shoving to get the so-called best seats. Their eyes were bright and their voices peeled a note of happiness; but their dress in hand-me-downs spoke of the hard times of that era. Yet, the hour of fantasy and magic was near and to heck with the troubles. Quiet reigned as Miss Chaperon, the assistant librarian entered the magical circle and took her place on storytelling throne. Miss Chaperon was a bird-like spinster of an undertermined middle age. But her thin oval features was lit by a bright smile and her grey eyes were all a sparkling. "Good afternoon children," were her first words, "Welcome to the storytelling hour. May name is Miss Chaperon and I will tell you a wonderful tale that will bring joy to you and leave pleasant memories to the words. And in unison the children piped in the trill of their voices, "Good afternoon Miss Chaperon." "Now my good children I am going to tell you a story about a king called King Woggletoe..." A titter of laughter from came from little mouths, "Woggletoe, such a funny name!" But Miss Chaperon was able to quiet it down with a stern look. The assistant librarian then opened a large book of fairy tales, which she had brought to the circle. She adjusted her granny specs, then opened the book and ruffled through the pages. "Ahh, there we are!" she noted as the correct leaf was found. Miss Chaperon looked for a moment at the children before beginning the wonderful tale of 'The King's Big Toe'. "Once upon a time in a land far far way, there live a king, called King Woggletoe. He was a powerful king. He was neither tall nor short. He was neither fat nor thin. His narrow face had a stern look with piercing dark eyes. He had a grim smile over a short beard of dark hair. But he had a long, long toe on his left foot. "He
was very rich. He had a large treasure room filed with gold and
jewels. King Woggletoe had all fine clothes of silk and wool,
even good pairs of wool and cotton socks. But he didn't have one
good pair of snug stockings to cover his foot with its big toe.
The poor queen couldn't keep him in stockings. He kept bumping
his toe. Off course the king got madder and madder when he felt
the pain. Ohh such a sight was seen for a royal person."
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