PETS' PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

PETS' PROTEST.

Green Bay. Dear Wendy, Having read your interesting letter I decided to try the experiment of music charming on my pets. As I have no elephants, tigers or storks, I decided to experiment on their next-of-kin; no doubt the result would be the same. A cat was surely a miniature tiger. Otirs is, anyway, if he sees a dog! The ducklings to represent the stork family, and as for elephants, well, I was at a loss here until a neighbour's puppy came bounding into our house in the most approved elephant style. The puppy was my only elephant, so he stood for the elephant family.

Hunting around I found a whistle, which gave forth most beautiful and ringing notes. So, armed ' with great confidence and the whistle,. I went forth to find the ducklings. With the ducks looking at me in an interested way and also" at the whistle, I commenced to play. Sweet was the music which * flowed forth on the fresh spring air. Stopping for a momont I beamed on the astounded ducklings. They had their mouths —er —bills wide open. This was encouraging. Happily contented I whistled on.

After a while I became aware of a whispering among the audience, which was slightly disturbing, and arose so in volume that I was forced to stop whistling. "Squeak!. Squeak!" protested the duckings loudly.

'•'Be quiet," said I sternly. However, I gave up the ducklings. How can one charm folk who have no ear for music. I changed the whistle for a mouth organ (a -whistle isn't very musical after all), and set off to find my next victim. I saw him fast asleep on. my poor poppy plants. It was Peter the cat.' "Peter!" I called, "come here." When I- had pounced on him then did I begin to- play. I played the end' of the mouth organ that would play. One end won't play. I took it to pieces once and it still won't play. The music was a little jerky, and' should have pleased the soul of a cat as it made most beautiful mouse sounds. It had the most alarming effect, instead of a gentle purr Peter's eyes grew big, his fur stood out and he backed away. I'm not sure that he didn't spit. He is half Persian, but not fierce as a rule. Blissfully I went on playing until I became aware of the stillness. The bird (the cat I mean) had flown.- I don't think I shall ever try to charm a tiger, suppose he didn't run away? How can I ever be a Pied Piper if all the animals run away?

1 next collared the dog and played to him. His agonised howls still echo in my ears. He was contented until I reached the top notes, then up went his head and the higher his howl. He kept time most beautifully, but he would join in. He has gone off now with his tail between his legs. He has not a very musical soul.

Next to the fowlrun went I. I began to sing. I went on' ringing. Then I stopped. The run was empty. Now what could have been the matter with those fowls? At this point, as one or two passers-by wore displaying some curiosity, I decided to go inside. I went inside. The gramophone suggested a further experiment. I put on a farmyard record so the animals might hear for themselves. Not a sound, not a stir! All was silent. I turned off the gramophone with much sadness. I should have liked to experiment on a cow,' but supposing it tried to dance-on me. I did hear of a cow dancing, and it was all because of .music, it jumped into the sky and over the moon. Cows are jumpy cieatures. I think I'll wait until I go to the zoo where the animals are all in cages. Wouldn't Jamuna look lovely dancing around with a lion? Farewell music charming. Yours sincerely, Iris Reeves.