THE OLD PUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE OLD PUNT.

One clay, Jack and Harry, two boys who lived at Wild Wood farm, went to the nearby river to fish. Jack took the fishing rods and flies, while Harry took the lunch and game-bag. When they arrived at the river they put the lunch under a broom bush where Snooks, their black and white spaniel, could not get it. Then they went along the bank to where Mr. Brown's old punt was moored. They rowed the punt into mid-stream and unfolded their rods after the anchor had been cast overboard. They had not been fishing long when Harry cried, "Look, Jack! A log! A huge log!" Jack looked, and saw a big log within 10ft of the old punt. In a few seconds it would be on them.

"Help! help!" yelled Jack, as the log struck them. The rotten wood of the old punt crumpled up like paper, and the two boys fell into the water. As neither of them could swim they were almost helpless. Suddenly Jack felt Snooks grab his jersey and start to tow him ashore. "Harry," he cried, "grab my leg." Harry did so, and Snooks towed them both ashore. When they were on dry land once more they gave their lunch to Snooks, .'ind went home dripping with water and wet to the skin. When they reached home their mother put them to bed and gave them some gruel, and next day they were none the worse for their adventure. As Snooks was a life-saver he was awarded a silver medal with a new collar and chain. And now he is very smart, as he wears his medal always.

A FABLE. The tourist 'had wandered into the jungle by mistake. Suddenly there was a crashing noise, and he saw an enormous elephant bearing down on him. Too frightened to run away, he waited. The elephant ih'obbled up, holding out .one of his feet. The man saw a large chunk of wood caught between the toes, and, summoning lip his courage, he pulled it out, and the elephant went away. Several years later the tourist, now •back in England, went to a circus. The very same elephant came into tlie ring, and they recognised one another immediately. The elephant trotted over and extended his' trunk. Lifting the tourist out of his shilling seat, he deposited him gently in a three-shilling one. A NEW GAME. On wet days, when you cannot go out to play, some older readers will find it good fun to try to make up a little story such as this, each word commencing with the same letter. Of course any letter in the alphabet can be chosen, but each word must commence with that letter: — Alice ate apples. Archie asked Alice— "Are Adam and Anne arriving?"

Alice ate another apple. "Adam and Anne arc arriving. Anne argues and annoys Adam. Archie, ask Adam about Alan's arbour. Anne, an apple?" Afterwards Alice, Archie, Anne, and Adam ate asparagus. Anne argued, and Adam appeared angry, answered antagonistically. Anxiously Alice attempted arbitrate.