GOOD – NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 211, 7 September 1927, Page 12

GOOD - NIGHT STORIES.

DAVID MEETS A FUNNY LITTLE WOODMAN. (Told by BLANCHE SILVER for PETER PAN.) When David saw a piece of ground almost under his feet begin to move, he didn't know whether to run or stand still. Slowly the round piece of ground, abofct the site of a sixpence, began to rise up again, David, gathering courage, stepped closer. Down went the flap of dirt as quick as a wink. "Wen, of all things!" David exclaimed, standing right over the piece of ground that had lifted up. "Now, who in the world could that be, I'd like to know? I thought I saw something trying to push that dirt up." David stooped down and tried to lift the dirt with his fingers, but a force from underneath seemed to hold it down tight. "Now that really is funny," mused David. "I'll just bet " cried a tiny voice and quick as a flash, Squeedee, the wee elfin from Joyland, hopped out in front of David, "Be careful what you bet, my boy," he laughed. "What in the world are you holding and tugging at that piece of dirt for!" "Just because I saw it lift up by itself, a while ago, anti I'd like to see who's holding it shut now," laughed David. "I won't hurt the little fellow. But I should like to see who's doing it." "Then let's go and do it right," chuckled the elfin. David let go of the piece of dirt, and Squeedee rapped gently on the ground. Slowly the round piece of grass lifted and four great black legs crept out, soon followed by an ugly head. Seeing who his visitor was, the owner of the black legs and ugly head lifted his doorway and came out. It was a great big, ugly-looking spider.

"Well, weU, Mr. Trap-door Spider," laughed Sqneedee, shaking Uμ hairy leg of the spider, "guess you thought you were going to be robbed. This is little David, a friend of mine. David, this is Mr. Trap-door Spider." ,c So wonder I couldn't pull that round piece of dirt and grass up," laughed David. "You certainly are strong, Mr Spider. Bnt tell me, do you reallv hre down there in the ground? How do you catch any bugs and flies in your dth,, l sn °uld think you'd starve to

Gracums me," ebuekled Mr. Trapdoor %' r ßure X Kve dowß fa *■• e««nd and that piece of dirt and grass you were tryu* to pull up is my door. Stc. here tw. Take a good look at it and beUave me when I don't want that txaodoor opened I won't let anyone opes £ Why, aometimea it takea all £ strength I ha VC> but x hoM j^ -ix of my feet There'a my web afl around my burrow." P,2L U V eUre, s you doa,t «P*«* to isr^^SaS?* I *^^ .r as and dropping the door that hid ki> hone hurned off across the ikwi. xriPt"? him out of «gkt. ««d JLSrtr SpMw *•*