GOOD NIGHT STORIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 17 (Supplement)

GOOD NIGHT STORIES

THE SHADOW CHILDREN ARE RESCUED, BUT THE SEAGULL MISSES ITS "PAY!" Mij, Flor, Hanid, Yam and Knarf— the five little shadow-children with the turned-about names—were in a terrible predicament. Terrible. They had fallen off a big boat 011 which their masters and mistresses were crossing the ocean, and now they were floating about on the waves, wondering how tliey should ever be able to get back again. Shadowchildren, you understand, must be with their little real-children whenever the sun shines. It was nearly dawn now and unless they were at their sides soon they would surely be missed, and then all sorts of dreadful things were sure to happen. Fortunately shadows, being lighter than the lightest feather, cannot sink, so there was no danger of their drowning. All at once Knarf gave a shout. "There's a seagull!" The others looked up. "What is that to us ?" they cried mournfully. "Why," exclaimed Knarf. "We can climb aboard its back and fly to the ship in a minute!" It was really a very wise suggestion and they all set about waving their hands and shouting to attract the seagull's attention. Having a very sharp eve, it soon noticed them, although when it approached and saw they were only shadow-children, and not something good to eat, as it thought, it was quite disappointed. "Will you take us hack to our ship, please?" pleaded Knarf. "Well," said the bird thoughtfully, "I'm awfully busy right now getting my breakfast, suppose I called for you at half-past ten." "Oh, no!'" cried the others, "that would be much too late. You don't have look for your breakfast. We'll get it for you on the ship—a fine big breakfast—anything you please."

"I'd like bread crumbs," mUrmured the seagull blissfully. "Afi much as you like," promised Knarf. Then they all climbed on its l>a<'k and in a minute they were back 011 the ship. "Now give me my breadcrumbs," demanded the seagull. "Come into the cook's galley," invited Knarf. It was very eavly and the cook was not yet up. The shadows ran to the bread' box and ■tho hungry seagull, its eyes glistening expectantly, hurried after them. "Have as much as you please," urged Knarf, pointing to the huge pile of crumbs. "Thank you, you're very kind," said the seagull. But hardly did it start to taste the crumbs than in rushed the cook, with a tremendous cleaver in his hand, and made for the bird. "Robber!" shouted the cook. Out iiew tho bird, flapping its wings in terror. When it was gone the shadow-children sighed and looked at each other—and the look was a very guilty one. v