FOR THE CHILDREN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 22

FOR THE CHILDREN.

THREE SISTERS. The queen was under the honeysuckle vine, darning stockings. Her three charming daughters wore near by. Matilda sat on a cheery-coloured cushion of silk and ate honey and biscuits from a golden plate. Monica sat upon an emeraldgreen \'elvet cushion and daintily ate pomegranates from off a crystal plate. Mary, the littlest princess, sat crosslegged on a blue linen pillow, with a dish of strawberries and cream. They were playing at Wish. Said Matilda—"l should like a fine castle, all made of glass, so that when the sun shone it was too bright to look upon. With a beautiful garden of lilies and pale primroses and love-in-a--mist. There would be a green river with white boats, where I could ride, and a merry-go-round with a blue awning. And I would have tea parties and silk dresses and a little piano all my own; and red roses to wear in mv hair." Said Monica—"l would have a little house set under a chestnut tree with roses peeking, in at the windows; a pair of warm, strong, white wings to button on my shoulders; lots of pails of paint and big brushes and back yards full of femes that wanted painting"; and a boat with a blue sail; and a great many little girls with pink dresses and white aprons to wait on me.' .

i came and she heard his beak making I soft pecks at the bread crumbs. When Jhe had finished them, every one, he sang a beautiful clear song of thanks to Mary and flew away. She blew out the candle and went sound asleep, while Matilda and Monica danced at the ball and their gold and silver heels twinkled on the brightlypolished floor. CURLY-HEADED CANDLES. Fire candles stood on the ■windowsill. As the wax melted over the edge, it made long curls down their backs. Candles are very proud of their curls, and the longer the maid forgets to cut them off the better they like it. Sometimes their hair grows so long that they can sit on it. The window stood open and the candles talked together. '•I think to-night," said the first white candle, "that I will pretend my curls are beautiful, smooth black." "Mine will tie bright red, the colour of my flame," said the second. "And mine royal purple, to match the king's robe/ said another. ''I have golden curls and blue eyes/ sang the fourth, who had a poetic nature.