THE DREAM LESSON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 57, 7 March 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE DREAM LESSON.

(By Cynthia Solon ; nged 13 years.)

Selfish was a wicked elf, Wlio thought of no one but himself. Once upon a summer's day, When the elves had gone away, To gather flowers in the woods, And left behind the goodigoods, Selfish wished to make a raid, So at home this elfin stayed. First he had some honey dew, Then some buns and pancakes, too. Next an apple, cakes and bread, Which gave this elf a heavy head. But eating so, he still did keep, Till at last he fell asleep. A goblin came, with greeny eyes, That made poor Selfish start surprised. Others followed, more and more, Till, in fact, he saw a score. This is the chant the goblins sang, As through the woods their echoes rang: "We want something to eat, a meal we have not had; We want' something to eat —this elf would not taste bad." They clanged their knives with shining blades, And sounds went echoing through the glades: "Beady, goblins—one, two three." They were prancing round in glee. As the knives were coming near, Selfish jerked with instant fear. He started, shivered, looked around— ( He'd been asleep 011 cold, damp ground, j He bitterly sobbed and repented at last, Thinking of goodies he'd gobbled so fast. But the elves they were so glad, To think this elfin child so bad, Was giving up his selfish ways, To work for others all his days. Another name to him they gave, And called him Faithful Little Slave.