GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 221, 19 September 1927, Page 11

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

DICKY MAKES A DISCOVERY (Tola by BLANCHE SILVER for "PETER PAN.") "Now then!" exclaimed Dicky as he dug his heels into a mound of soft dirt, "I'll just spoil every one of those tunnels and then, maybe that little fellow will get wise and move out of our yard," and he was about to dig his heels in another place in the mound when Happy Giggles, the wee elfin from Make-believe-land, hopped up and caught his knee. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said sadly. "How would you like to have a giant come along and sink his heel into your Mama's house and smash it in?"

"But that's different, Happy Giggles," said Dicky. "This is only some old Mole's tunnels, and I don't like to have him running under our grass. Why, the first thing you know he'll have the whole yard uprooted. I think Moles are horrid old creatures and —"

"Just a second," whispered Happy Giggles as a little brown head peeked up right near them, and Mrs. Mole, spying Happy Giggles, called to him.

"Wait a second, slr». Mole, I want you to meet little Dicky." Mrs. Mole nodded her pretty little brown head and, crawling out in front of Dicky, ibowed very politely. "I'm very glad to know you, Dicky,'* she said softly. "Have you ever seen a Mole before!" "Never so near," replied Dicky. He hadn't expected to see such a pretty little creature. She was about six inches long, covered with the prettiest soft silken greyish-brown fur you could imagine. Two tiny black eyes almost covered with fur, sparkled merrily, as she knew Dicky approved of her looks.

"I'm really very grateful to you, Happy Giggles, for Dicky when you did," she laughed. "You see I have quite a family right now, and I have very little time for repair work. By the way, come on down, Happy Giggles, and see my lovely family. You may oome too, Dicky, if you want to." Dicky and Happy Giggles followed Mrs. Mole down through her many tunnels, into the lovely domed chamber where the little Mole family, consisting of six little furry, balls, were tucked in bed sound asleep. Dicky took one of the dear little youngsters in his arms and petted him. "My, but I'm glad you caught me in time," Dicky whispered to the elfin. "I never knew the Mole family were such pretty creatures before. Now, Mrs. Mole I don't care how much you tear up our yard with your mounds, I'll never try to disturb them again." "Thanks, Dicky," laughed Mrs. Mole, "and in return for your kindness, I'll try and keep the dirt loosened up around your garden for you. I don't mean to say I won't nibble a juicy root once in a while though, but I'll destroy only what I really have to, and in return I'll help cultivate your garden for you." Just then Dicky heard his Mama calling, and, bidding his new friends and Happy Giggles good-bye, Dicky ran into the house tto eat his dinner. When he came out again he couldn't find Mrs. Mole's entrance again, so, he ran on to his play.