THE REINDEER WON'T STOP LAUGHING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21970, 19 December 1936, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE REINDEER WON'T STOP LAUGHING

It all began with a postman's mistake. The king of This End of Somewhere had aent a present of very strong laughing powder to the

king of The Other End of Nowhere, and the postman had delivered it to Father Christmas by mistake. He, thinking it was a kind of reindeer food, fed his special Christmas reindeer with it. Instantly, great roars of laughter rang out. Father Christmas tripped over his beard in surprise, and ran for a reindeer doctor, who tried for half an hour to stop the laughing, without success. At last, he gave it up, and said that the powder's effects would last till at least New Year. Father Christmas nearly cried. "They're my best reindeer," he moaned, "and I can't use them if they laugh all the time; they'll wake people up, and spoil everything. How can we stop them laughing?" "Cheer up, old chap, said the Fairy Queen. "We will ask the Oracle of Onspudoo. He lives just 10 miles away." So, using Father Christmas's second best pair of reindeer, they soon % reached the Oracle's cave. He was a very wise old man, but the problem was too hard for him, so he told them to visit the Wise Owl. Alas, when Ihey arrived, the Owl was out hunting, so they turned dismally homewards. "I've an idea," said Father Christmas, brightening. "We will ask Lady Gay. She will find a cure."

On the way to "The Press Ship," they met Aunt Amelia Aeroplane, and a witch. They told Aunt Amelia their troubles, and the witch listened,, too. "Pooh!" she said. "I can give you a recipe which the second son of the third daughter of the fourth wife of the king of Siam used when he laughed too much at a joke in 'The Gay Gazette."' "Hurray!!!!" shouted Father Christmas, Aunt Amelia Aeroplane and the Fairy Queen. Home they went and mixed the cure, which was a mixture of:— 1 drop of morning: dew 1 ounce of best butter X cup of milk 2 raindrops and 2 teaspoonsful of vinegar Father Christmas gave his reindeer some of the mixture. Immediately the laughter became giggles. He gave them some more, and the. giggles became smiles. "They look nice, smiling," said Father Christmas. "I'll leave them like that." So now his reindeer

have pleasant, Christmassy smiles, and are quite the best-looking reindeer for miles round. That night, Father Christmas gave a feast of rejoicing. Everybody was invited, the witch. Aunt Amelia and "The Press Ship" crew. All troubles were over, and everything Was ready for Christmas. 'MATE CUTLASS (aged 13), M.Cr r , L.8.H., 140 Shirley road, St. Albans, Christchurch, N.l.

Bertie: "I don't think I can eat this last slice." Auntie: "Ah, too much cake, eh?" Bertie: "No, not enough boy." —SHIRLEY GRIMWOOD, Mount Oval. A fish, a wish, a dish, what is the difference between the three? The first letter of course. —'MATE CURLY TOP, C.M.H. (aged 14), Prebbleton.