GREENLEAF'S SLIPPERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

GREENLEAF'S SLIPPERS.

[Of Dorothy Price, Portage iJoad, New Lynn, 5.W.4 ; age 15.) In the beautiful glen of Oakmoss Circle lived the elves and fairies with their king and. queen, Openears and; Dewdrop. The elyea were very poor, and 60 one Christmas Day Queen gave to each of twenty little elves a pair of slippers. One little elf, whose name was Greenleaf, although very rich, was included among the favoured elves and received his slippers. Greenleaf was very mean and miserly. When, all the other elves 1 slippery -were worn out, Greenleaf nailed pieces of leaves and bark to his, so. that he would not have to. buy a new- pair-. When at last the slippers were so worn that they were beyond hia power to. mend, he took them to Sir Frosty Beake, the roya.l cobbler. For many ages the skillful cobbler laboured to preserve them from destruction, until they were so heavy that "as ehrmsy as Greenleaf's slippers" became a proverbial expression. ■

One day Greenleaf decided to go to thetepid bath in. Oakmosa Circle. While he was undressing, Longtongue, a friend of Ids, remarked to him that it was time he bought a new pair of slippers. Greenleaf replied that ne had thought so. himMlf for a long time, but that they would serve him a, little longer.. He went, into the bath, and, his friend left. him. "While Greenleaf wa.s bathing, Openears. fame to bathe.

When Greenleaf left the' bath and vent to the dressing room he was surprised at not meeting with his slippers. In their place was a new pair, and he thought that Longtongue had wished to give him a present, tmd had chosen this way of doing so, and, putting on the slippers, left the. bath. When King Openears had 'finished "bathing he could not find his slippers. Ihßtead of the king's elegant pair were two old hideous objects which everyone knew belonged to Greenleaf. "Aha, ha!" said one of the slaves, "that miserly old rascal has stolen our master's slippers and left his own. They immediately pursued; him and found the king's slippers on his feet. In spite of Greenleaf's" declaration of his innocence the king, well knowing how rich he was, cast him into Cobweb Prison, which was guarded by big brown velvety spiders, Bntil he paid a fine. Greenleaf paid the fine and went from the prison.

The first thing he did on returning home was to throw the innbeent ca<use of ids misfortune into the Silvcrdew lliver, which sung beneath his window. The next morning Widetail and his companions were fishing in the Silverdew near Greenleaf's home. They found an unusual resistance in drawing up their ne.ts, and were rejoicing in their good fortune of having a good catch of goldfish, when to their dismay they had caught nothing but Greenleaf's slippers. The nails which were driven in their soles had torn their nets, and all the fish had escaped through the holes. The slippers were returned to Greenleaf. "Wretched slippers!" he exclaimed, "I shall have \to "more trouble from you," and, going out, he buried then) in the corner of his garden.

A neighbour of his, who lived two hollow trees south of his own, and who heartily detested him, went to the king and told liim that he. bad seen Greeuleaf digging up treasure iu his garden. It was in vain Greenlee.)' protested to Openears that he wns only burying his slippers, but the king said he must either pay a line or go to prison, lie preferred the former, and was permitted to depart.

Greenleaf now almost despaired of ever being able to part with his slippers. The loss of his money threw him into the most violent agitation. "What can Ido with them?" he said. "If I throw them into the Silverdew they are fished up; if I bury them, they say I have found a treasure."

He at last resolved to hide them in Fernvale reservoir, which supplied Oakmoss Circle with water. Accordingly, the slippers were thrown, in, but they were carried into the canal leading from the reservoir, the water was stopped, and very soon the inhabitants of Oakmoss Circle were in danger of perishing with thirst. The alarm became general, and the canal was cleared. Greenleafs slippers were found, and again he had to pay a great line. At his departure his slippers were faithfully returned to him. At length he determined to burn them.

He left them drying on a branch, of "Echoes," his hollow oak, and his mouse Curlitail played with them, and, unfortunately, dropped one of them down on Lilybelle, a fai y who was passing under-, neath,. The snock caused her to vanish in a cloud of white smoke, and once more Greenleaf was taken before the king.

Greenleaf was furious, and with a, slipjier in each hand he addressed Openears. "Behold, the cause of all my misfortunes. These wretched slippers have reduced me. to beggary. Assure me that I shaH never be responsible for any more mischief they may cause." . The king, then uttered his magic syllable, and the two hideous objects were changed into two stately little vessels, in which Queen Dewdiop and King Openears sailed down the Silverdew River towards the royal palace. , Greenleaf was given charge over the boats, and performed his duty well, He saved his wages until he was as rich as formerly; then he hired another elf called Petals to helj him look after the ships. He did not store lip hia wealth : now as he had done before, but he shared it between the nineteen other little elves who, had received a pair of slippers with I him.

When the reign of King Openears was up Greenleaf was elected to take his ; place, and he ruled Oakmoss Circle very justly and wisely. After some time he wedded a little princess called Goldenwings, and together they lived happily | ever after.