One of the highlights of the transfer station for Charlie has always been the Swap Shop. It feels good to drop something off down there, knowing other folks will bring it home and enjoy it. And, sometimes that someone is Charlie. He’s always coming home with some treasure or other.
That was until this week, when he made a horrible discovery. Now Charlie’s in mourning. I’ll let him tell you about it.
Trouble at the Swap Shop
With a lock on the door, a red cone below,
The Swap Shop looked closed. I wanted to know
So I asked my friend Dick, who works at the dump
If he’d let me drop off my bicycle pump
“Charlie,” he says, “I would if I could, but
The Swap Shop is done, they’ve closed it for good.”
“No!” I exclaimed. Then with a sigh,
Dickie explained the big reason why
“A few of us folks, no need to name names,
Are out-and-out slobs, who leave the remains
Of whatever they’re eating inside the place
Along with their garbage, it’s a disgrace!
“That’s where it sits, stewing away
Hour by hour, day after day,
‘Til Marge the custodian unlocks the door
And gasps when she sees what is there on the floor
“Gazillions of ants! Her patience now shot,
She storms to the office and quits on the spot
So they decided enough was enough!
If it’s too much for Marge, it’s time to get tough.”
Now we’ve got no place where we can swap
Puzzles for grandma or toys for the tots
Books for all ages, a pole for the cat,
Frames for your photos or half decent hats
All of it free! A fun place to prowl
But if the door’s locked, you leave with a scowl
All ’cause of slobs who haven’t a care
They shut the place down. It just isn’t fair!
Complain to the town! Get up and yell!
If you know the culprits, go give ’em hell!
Now that the Swap Shop is done at the dump,
What’ll I do with this bicycle pump?
What a sad tale! Charlie said Dick was pretty broken up about the demise of the swap shop.
“He told me he used to love watching families come in with their kids. The little ones would pick out a new game or book. Did his heart good.”
“That’s just terrible, Charlie.”
“I think Dick even got a little teary, but the breeze had just changed. It might of just been the smell of the compost.”
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Trouble at the Swap Shop