 Norma is our largest toy leopard. She came aboard our boat, the 'Leopard Normand' in October 1996, in the south of Spain. Our boat was built in Normandy, in the north of France. That is why the name is in French.
The Normandy flag has two golden leopards on a red background and the name of our boat, which is in French, means Leopard of Normandy. Children who come aboard to visit always like to play with Norma and our other toy leopards.
Norma was chosen to come aboard for a funny reason. The pile of shackles and clips that The Skipper was going to be given as his birthday present didn't look very interesting, although he was sure to be pleased at being given such useful things. There, sitting in the window of a new toy shop in the nearest town, was this large and cuddly-looking leopard. The perfect thing! Clipping all the shackles, clips and swivels together turned them into a collar and lead, which was put around the toy leopard's neck.
When The Skipper woke up on his birthday, he was handed a big, heavy, squashy package, all wrapped in colourful paper and tied up with bright ribbon. He couldn't guess what might be inside the package! You should have seen the look of surprise on his face when he took off the wrappings and found a big spotty leopard wearing a collar and lead made of all the things he had been hoping to get for his birthday!
He named her 'Norma' and she been around the boat ever since, sometimes in a sleeping cabin and sometimes in the saloon. At Christmas time she is always in the saloon, with a collar made of tinsel, joining in all the fun.
The Skipper says that what he likes best about Norma, apart from the fact that she brought him so many useful gifts, is that she always looks as though she is smiling! She has become like a friend to us. Aren't we a silly old pair?!
Do you have a toy that is like a friend to you? Maybe you have one of those electronic pets? Whatever it is, we'd love to hear all about it and you. Write to us at marinezine_youngsters@linnetwoods.com
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