PEN-FRIENDS' LAGUE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22237, 30 October 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

PEN-FRIENDS' LAGUE

LANDS OVERSEAS In Persia, Abdul is learning to Stake rugs. He follows his father, a master dyer, and helps him to gather herbs and plants for his precious dyes. When they have collected enough, his father, Iskender,

, prepares his colours in secret by a formula handed down by Abdul's grandfather. Their family is Known for making famous Persian rugs. Cock-fighting is one of the "favourite sports of Persian boys. Abdul has his own fighting, cock

•nd a pet sheep. It is a custom of the Persians to remove their shoes When they enter church. On feast days Abdul's mother and sister wear their best clothes—velvet trousers and silk blouses embroidered in Bilver and gold. Most Persian girls

LETTERS FROM FAR AWAY

do not go to schooLlike New Zealand girls. The air mail stamp is a 1935 issue and shows Riza Pahlavi and eagle. ~

MEXICO I Jive in Eagle Pass on the border of Texas and Mexico. It is just a small town of about 5000 people on the Rio Grande river. Across the river in Mexico is the city of Piedras Negras. I thought it would be interesting to describe this city. As you cross the bridge there is ■e toll for each person and car

going and returning. The streets are very'rough in this city and the government is very strict. There is a large market place where Mexican people sell meats, vegetables, fruits, Indian baskets, and pottery. This pottery is handmade from clay brought from the interior. There are many jewellery stores selling jewellery. This is made mostly in silver and is hand-carved. It is called filigree work. The most common stones used are opals, and they may be bought very cheaply. As you return to your car an old Mexican man or crippled boy, who has watched your car, will open the door and will expect you to give him a nickel or so. Piedras means rocks- and negras means black, but the people say it backwards: Piedras Negras. All Mexican language is spoken backwards. I would indeed love to hear from readers, especially from those in other countries. —CHARLES E. MURRAY (aged 12), P.O. Box 197, Eagle Pass, Tex.

POLAND Four years ago we took a trip to Krakow, a very old and beautiful city in these parts. It was almost entirely surrounded by a large wall with loopholes in it. In the morning we went to the Wawel, a lovely old castle, situated on the Vistula river. It is built round a large courtyard, sur-

rounded by balconies, where knights fought battles in the days of old. The floors of the palace were of marble, beautifully kept and polished. The walls were covered with tapestries, woven by queens who had lived there. We also saw beautiful paintings and armour in the rooms, too. There were beautiful covers on the three steps leading up to the thrones, and the thrones themselves were beautifully carved in gold. If you had been there I am sure you would have agreed that it is one of the loveliest places in all Poland. I wish that some readers would write to me. —DOROTHEA ANN DAVIDSON, Care of Giesche Spolka Akcyina, Ul Podgorna 4 Katowice, Poland.

THE FOUR GOSLINGS My brother gave me four goose eggs to put under my black hen. After I had been waiting patiently for a long time the eggs began to hatch, and four lovely little goslings appeared in the nest.

They have such pretty, pale green, fluffy dresses, and one has a crest. , I wish you could see them. —maisie Mclaughlin (aged 8), Darfleld.«