GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 113, 16 May 1927, Page 11

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

WHAT HAPPENED TO SILLY WILLY ANT.

Told by BLANCHE SIL.VER for "PETEfe PAX. , ) Willy Ant tossed his basket of lunch iver his shoulders and kissing his mama rood-bye, went out lo seek his fortune n the world. "I'm almost afraid to have you leave. ue," sighed Mama Ant, wiping her eyes J vith her apron. She knew-how lazy and ;liiftless Willy Ant was, and she knew lown in her'little heart if he didn't •hange his ways, he would soon come o harm. "Don't you worry about mo, Little Mother," laughed Willy. "I'll not have V'ou to do things for me. I'll just have to take care of myself, and when I learn to work for myself I'll come Lome again." Waving his hand to his mama and sisters and brothers, Willy Ant hurried out towards the town. He hadn't gone very far when Lazy Bee met him and stopped him to. chat. "I know where there's a dandy pool of honey," Lazy Bee buzzed. "Come along, play wfth me a while, then we'll have a sip and a bit to cat." Willy Ant, always ready for a romp, tarried to play with Lazy Bee. Soon they grew hungry and Lazy Bee led Willy Ant over to a pretty flower that was filled with sweet honey. The two friends sat down on a weed, and Willy Ant divided his lunch. Together they had a lovely meal. "Where you going now'r" asked Lazy Bee. "Or were ygu going any place when I met you?"

"Indeed I was," replied Willy Ant. "I was going out to seek a fortune. Do you know where I can find one?" "Not me," laughed Lazy Bee. "But I do know if I don't gather some pollen and get home my mama will lock the door on me." Filling his pockets with pollen, Lazy Bee sailed away. But with Willy Ant it was different. He had played until he was tired and sleepy, so he sat on the weed and soon fell asleep. He never knew how long he slept until a fluttering noise awakened* him, and Willy Ant found himself all wrapped up in a spider's web. My! How frightened Willy Ant was! But instead of crying, he dropped off the end of the weed to the ground below and dragging the web with him hurried home as fast , as his legs could carry J him. His brothers and sisters saw him coming, and ran to tell their mother. He looked-like some terrible creature, but Mama Ant knew him in a second and with, the help of all, they soon got the web off and set poor Willy Ant free again. His mama cried when Willy Ant told her how it all happended, but she gave him a sip of honey and tucked him in bed. "Don't you ever' worry about me again," sighed Willy Ant. "I'm cured of several things. First of all, aftar this I'll work first, play second and sleep third. No more eating or sleeping until after my work is done. Then another thing, the only fortune worth having is found at the door of a contented Ant, no matter where he is," and kissing , hia Mama good-night, Willy went to sleep, glad to be in his own little bed.

Needless to say Willy kept his promise and now he is one of the finest boys in the family, and Mama Ant is very proud of him.