NUMERAL 1 #5264

(December, 1994) Who else but a Woodspirit representing the number 1 could kick off my new Number Series? He is #1 at many different pursuits so he wears a blue ribbon proudly on his chest. Even his Austrian coin has a big 1 on it. This is one Woodspirit who is iust one-derful. If this little fellow has been given to you, it means you have won!

NUMERAL 2 #5266

(February, 1995) One, two, buckle my shoe – look what Numeral 2 can do! At first it seemed that he was too little and that it was too difficult. But he didn’t give up too soon – he tried it two more times and the acorn went through. I rewarded him with a coin from Austria that shows a large 2. Great job, Numeral 2 – here’s 2 you!

NUMERAL 3 #5270

(February, 1995) There’s an old saying: “Three’s the charm.” So this charming Woodspirit carries three roses and gives one to each of her three friends. Her coin is a 1922 three pence from Great Britain. Her favorite shape is the triangle and her favorite food is a triple decker sandwich. She likes to hum “Three Blind Mice” and she loves three-day weekends. Like the other Numeral Woodspirits, she perches on a wooden block that proclaims her favorite number. Three cheers for Numeral 3!

NUMERAL 4 #5271

(February, 1995) Numeral 4 is out for a round of golf. He wears plus fours for he likes to be in the forefront of fashion. His golf club is actually a golf tee, but forget making it to the pin in four. With that shot, it’s no wonder he’s yelling “Fore!” His coin is a German pfenning with a 2 on it. I gave Numeral 4 two coins. What for? 2 plus 2 makes 4, and that makes a foursome. Lets hear it for 4!

NUMERAL 5 #5269

(February, 1995) Give me five! Numeral 5 is always happy to oblige. He loves basketball, a game with five players on each team. He and the other Woodspirit basketball players like to exchange high fives when one of them makes a basket. Winning isn’t everything, but team spirit sure is! His coin (five pesos) is from Argentina. I’m not saying who Little 5’s favorite basketball player is. But he wears special sneakers with bird tracks on the soles, and with every step he takes, you know that a Bird went by.

NUMERAL 6 #5272

(March, 1995) “One, two, buckle my shoe; three, four, shut the door; five, six, pick up sticks.” Numeral 6 is trying to pick up six sticks. But picking up sticks is a very hard trick when you’re wearing mittens! Mittens feel good on a cold winter’s day, as will the lovely fire Numeral 6 will build in his hearth as soon as he picks up those sticks! He has a six pence from Great Britain, a coin that brings good luck to brides when placed in their shoes. Maybe it will mean good luck for Little 6. He’s looking up from his task – perhaps he hears a helpful Gnome coming down the path. Or maybe he wants your help!

NUMERAL 7 #5273

(March, 1995) Of all the Gnomes and Woodspirits that I have made, Numeral 7 is the luckiest. She wears seven lucky stars and I call her “Lady Luck? Even her coin says “Good Luck” and is decorated with a wishbone. Make a wish, and then if your tug on the wishbone gives you the larger piece, your wish will come true. What is true is that she is wishing you good luck. So, when you run into a bit of good luck, just wink at Little 7 and thank your lucky stars!

NUMERAL 8 #5274

(March, 1995) This may look like Henry VIII, but it is actually Numeral 8, in a pose reminiscent of the paintings of the famous king by Hans Holbein. His elaborate costume, decorated with acorns and leaves, cannot hide the fact that Little 8 ate and ate. He has definitely lost his Figure 8. He has two English coins – three pence and five pence, and this makes Numeral 8 pence-ive!

NUMERAL 9 #5275

(March, 1995) Numeral 9 was clean-shaven when the 1994 baseball season began. When the season ended early, Little 9 declared, “I’m not shaving until the baseball strike is over!” Now it’s almost time for the 1995 season to start, and it still doesn’t look like a close shave. His two coins show a 1 (from Japan) and an X (from Portugal) and in Roman numerals this makes 9. Numeral 9 is wearing a nutty baseball cap. That’s the top of the ninth.

NUMERAL 0 #5276

(March, 1995) Numeral 0 has got plenty of nothing – the little thermometer at his side is at zero degrees. That’s colder than Alphabet E’s Eskimo pies! Even his coin from Saudi Arabia has a zero on it. No wonder this little Woodspirit is dressed for cold weather in his earmuffs, scarf and winter cap. Still, he looks pretty chilly to me. How many more minutes does Numeral 0 want to stay outside? Zip, zero, zilch!