The Toys of Peace

"The Toys of Peace" is a humorous short story by the British author Hector Hugh Munro who wrote under the pseudonym of Saki. The story was first collected in the 1919 anthology of the same title.  Set in 1914, the story satirizes the campaign by the National Peace Council, a coordinating committee of anti-war organizations, against violent toys. The plot is set in motion when Eleanor asks her brother to buy "peace toys" instead of toy soldiers for her young sons. Presented with lead figures of notable civilians and other non-violent toys, the boys are at first unsure what to do. Children being resourceful, however, they soon find a way to combine the new toys with their history homework for entertainment.