GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 23

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

DAVID MEETS A QUEER LITTLE ANIMAL. (Told by BLANCHE SILVER for PBTKII I'AN.) When David spied the funny-looking face peering at him from behind the pile of in the Zoo he had to laugh. "See something funny?'' inquired the owner ot head. Tell us all, so we can laugh.'' David's face coloured, and he hung his head, confused.

'"I'm sorry if I offended you. Mr. Whatever-your-name-is,' 7 said David. "I really didn t know you could understand me. Seeing vour head sticking out from the rocks did look queer." "That's all right, David," and the strange animal came from behind the rocks so David could get a good look at him. "Most everyone that sees me laughs. Guess I'm funny looking, and don t know it. But among mv relatives I was thought to be the bestlooking gnu in the herd."

"Gnu, is that what you are?"' queried David. '"Well, if you haven't a head and horns like a bull, a mane like a horse, and a body like something else, who is it has a body like your??"' "Mr. Antelope,"' laughed Mr. Gnu. "Yes, I'm a queer piece, I guess, by the talk I hear around my fence every day. But look at this," and he waved a lovely white tail in the air. "Isn't that a lovely tail?" "Surely it is a beauty," agreed David. "Looks like my pony's tail. His tail is white like that. May I ask where you come from, Mr. Gnu?''

from Southern Afric.i myself." replied Mr. Gnu. "But I'm jil.id to say I'm no longer a resident thviv. 1 love this peaceful place. Here 1 have plenty to-eat. not saying that 1 was ever too lazy to work for my food, but I m getting along in years, and it to.>k all uiy strength to keep away from our enemies. Of course, sometimes 1 wish I could go back and see my old friend®, the ostriches, the giralTes and zebras 1 used to run around with.

"But, pshaw, when I get to thinking over all the hardships I used to have to go through running around wild, I'm glad that Ini tame. I dearly love to have folk« eonie up and chat with me. like you have done to-day. A- a whole, we gnus are shy. hut curious. That's how I came to land in the Zoo. I wnout with a herd ot" my relatives one dav and someone told me some men were hanging something red on a bush around the other side of the rocks. Well. I wanted to show them I wasn't afraid, so I peaked out. I could see the red thins flying in the air.

"I wasn t satisfied with just seeing it —I had to go out and satisfy my curiosity. I did, and here I am. I'm glad of it. though. For I never would have known how kind and good the keepers are. I love my home here, and wotildn t go back to Southern Africa for anything. Xow I must take a snooze. Come hack again. D.iv;d. and see me. I love to chat with little Flipping his white ta : l in the air, Mr. Gnu trotted off behind the rocks.

DavM waited quite a while for him to come out: then he ran on down the path to see if they had any more new animals.