GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 11

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

POLLY AND SQUEEDEE HELP

MAMA SPIDER.

(lold by BLANCHE SILVER for

PETER PAX.)

Polly sat very still watching Mrs. Spider and her great big family mending the broken lines of the little spider web.

For some reason Mrs. Spider left the web and hurried down the stem of the weed that held her web house. Polly watched her closely, and before she had reached the ground, a great big wasp hovered over the unsuspecting s-pidcr and without the lea:»t warning caught her up in her front feet and Hew away with her.

Mother Spider cried out so loudly Polly heard her, and knowing something was wrong, Polly called for Squeedee.

"Goodness, ISqucedee!" she cricd, when the elfin appeared at her side. "Mrs. Spider just left her family for a second and Mrs. Wasp grabbed her and flew away with her. Can't you help her? I'm sure Airs. Wasp is going to devour her. What will become of her childrenPlease, Squeedee, let's help her. Make old Wasp let her go."

"We certainly will,"' cried the elfin, and together they ran after Mrs. Wasp. They found her sitting on the edge of her paper house trying to coax Mrs. Spider into her doorway.

"But, my friend," sobbed Mrs. Spider, "I know you have a lovely family. So have I, and if anything should happen to me they would all starve to death. Please let me go home."'

That's "what I say, Mrs. Wasp." mused Squeedee. nodding politely. Tf you must have spiders to stuff in with your eggs why net "

"Stuff in with her eggs!"' interrupted Folly. "Why, Squeedee, what are you talking about? Mr*. Wasp was going to -etuff Mr»-fspideE dggajjer own thxcat,"

"Xo, Polly, Squeedee is right," said Mrs. Wasp, letting go of Mrs. Spider's legs. "I had no intention of eating Mrs. Spider. I just wanted her to help fill up one of my cells, so when the youngster hatched out he would have something to nibble on until he was strong enough to come out and search for his cwn food.''

"Yes, and in the meantime," suggested Squeedee, "Mrs. Spider's babies can all die. Do you think that is just exactly fair, Mrs. Wasp Don't you think it would he far better for you to catch another spider who hasn't so many children? I think it would be better."

"'Well, maybe you're right," buzzed Mrs. Wasp. ''Here, Mrs. Spider, you may have your freedom," and she let go the tight hold she had on Mrs. Slider's legs. "I'm sorry we wasps have to put live food in our cells with our eggs. That's one thing we must do— look out for our babies. Go home, Mrs. Spider, and I'll never harm yov again."

Mrs. Spider thanked Mrs. Wasp and together with Squeedee and Polly she hurried back to her little family just in time to keep them from being swallowed up whole by a hungry bird.

'"I know what we'll do. children." she told Ihem when she quieted their fears,

'"we'll build a nice spider web right near Mrs. Wasp's doorway and we'll take care no one bothers her and her family."

Polly and Squeedee helped Mrs. Spider and her family move over t-o the fence nearer Mrs. Wasp's paper house, and the children were so jrlad to have their mamma hack safe they all helped put up the web house to protect Mrs. Wasp and licr family. This pleased Mrs. Wasp so much they became the very best of friends, thanks la Polly and Squeedee.