THE GOOD GRASSHOPPERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 26

THE GOOD GRASSHOPPERS

Once, long ago, a wicked woman stole a little baby boy, and, fearing lest her theft would be discovered, hid him in the long grass and ran away. In the grass lived a large family of grasshoppers, and Father Grasshopper, a jolly fellow, who was growing too plump to jump very high, was taking a morning stroll in Spindley Wood when he found the baby in the grass. He called all the small grasshoppers, and they hopped about excitedly. "We cannot look after this baby,” said Father Grasshopper, stroking his green satin vest. “What shall we do?” “I know,” squeaked the eldest son, “when a human comes along we’ll make a great noise.” They waited for a long time, and at last Farmer Smith came along. The grasshopper band struck up a great noise, and the farmer walked into the grass to see what it was all about There he saw the baby, which he took home to his wife. The baby boy was well looked after and grew up to be a good and wealthy man. But he never forgot that he owed his life to the grasshopper, and when he built a beautiful home he placed at its door a grasshopper of gold.—Sent by Betty Wilton (aged 11 years).