The choice
‘T was getting near Christmas again,
Tae Raymond his faither did say:
“Jist whit wid ye like’
A trumpet
an’ bike -
An’ mebbie a battleship tae?”.
Then a’body spoke wi’ delight,
An’ conjured up visions wi’ glee;
Sets o’ braw trains,
Twin-engined planes -
Anxiety stood in maw’s ee'

“There’s motor-boats, sodgers wi’ guns”,
(big sisters were promptin’ him noo),
Said Raymond “Tae pot,
A’ve maist of them got” -
His paw’s apprehension it grew.
The wee laddie paused, a’ wis still,
Then answer cam’ simple an’ neat:
“I ken whit tae dae;
Tell Santa I’ll hae -
A guider, like Tam’s doon the street”.