LET'S PLAY BALL

PERHAPS one of the most versatile playthings is the ball. Almost every child is introduced to it at a young age.

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The thrill of rolling, throwing, kicking, and bouncing it is truly special. A child's eyes light up when the ball is tossed and it rolls away. But this got me thinking. What did people play with before balls were manufactured commercially or widely available? I have seen playthings resembling a coconut or banana frond ball. Sometimes, a stone is placed inside to give a little sound. These ball-like toys are light and perfect for young children. Although they are not perfectly round, they are safe enough for a wild throw, and the rattling sound fascinates the child. But what else was used for play? Here are some interesting answers I got to my question.