Where there are children, there are toys. From the past to the present, toys are present through time, ranging from baby rattles, clay dolls to modern Legos and Barbies. They may have greatly changed in names, materials, designs and how children would play with them, but the essence seems to remain almost the same: namely children can always entertain themselves with toys in ways that grown-ups can never think of, and it is believed to be the unbridled imagination endowed with these kids that enable these vivid, unlimited minds to dream of a galloping steed from a simple bamboo stick.

In ancient China, "Zhuma," or the "bamboo horse," is believed to rank as one of the most popular toys.

With simply a stick making up its main body, the toy might also feature a "horse head" - which can be wood carved - on its straight shaft, and can be fitted with two wheels at its back end, among all other possible decorations based on the personal preferences of its brave, young riders.

Simple as it may be, this toy is more than just enough to serve as a real-life, loyal steed and accompany its valorous owner to be the legendary hero whose story a little kid may have been hearing as folklore in his or her bedtime.

Now, perhaps children in China are no longer as addicted to this ancient toy as their ancestors used to be. However, these old "bamboo horses" have still been "galloping" across the country, as the historical entertainment is said to be the origins of a folk art, where "Zhuma" dance performers would resemble the act of riding a horse with their bamboo horses.