NODDING DONKEY




CHAPTER I

THE SANTA CLAUS SHOP


The Nodding Donkey dated his birth from the day he received the
beautiful coat of varnish in the workshop of Santa Claus at the North
Pole. Before that he was just some pieces of wood, glued together. His
head was not glued on, however, but was fastened in such a manner that
with the least motion the Donkey could nod it up and down, and also
sidewise.

It is not every wooden donkey who is able to nod his head in as many
ways as could the Donkey about whom I am going to tell you. This
Nodding Donkey was an especially fine toy, and, as has been said, his
first birthday was that on which he received such a bright, shiny coat
of varnish.

"Here, Santa Claus, look at this, if you please!" called one of the
jolly workmen in the shop of St. Nicholas. "Is this toy finished, now?"
and he held up the Nodding Donkey.

Santa Claus, who was watching another man put some blue eyes in a
golden-haired doll, came over to the bench where sat the man who had
made the Nodding Donkey out of some bits of wood, glue, and real hair