Nuki’s Adventures

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 19

Nuki’s Adventures

You will remember how Nuki discovered, to his amazement, that the pakehas had disappeared from the cave, and his alarm lest the Maori chieftain should make them his captives. He started to follow their tracks through the bush.

But the pakehas had not been attacked. As soon as their little daughter had been so wonderfully restored to them, they had collected their few treasured belongings which they had saved from the fire and travelled quickly through the bush toward the mountains.

It was hard work, but by nightfall the little band had reached the mountain’s summit, and there, but two days' march away, lay the first pakeha township, a place of safety, of which Herewiti the chieftain knew nothing.

It was not long before Nuki, puffing, reached the foot of the mountain. He was resting wffien there was a soft flutter <jf wings, and Morepork flew down. “Found them?” he asked quietly. “They are not very far ahead,” answered Nuki. But Morepork shook his head and perched on Nuki's knees. “Listen,” he said, “the pakehas have a big settlement beyond the mountain, and these people are going back there. It will not be long before they return, and even Herewiti will not stop them, for they are the new rulers in this land. It is better for you to return to the bush and forget about them, for Herewiti cannot reach them now and you are safest here.”

Nuki listened in silence. Then he nodded slowly. “Very well,” he said; “Morepork always knows best.” And, rising quickly, he sped back into the bush and his old way of life, with Morepork fluttering behind.

Flowers What sweeter gift than flowers Can ever be bestowed Upon a friend who needs a gift To brighten her abode? God gives them lovely fragrance And a beauty of their own, Which He ne’er has given to mortals — It belongs to them alone. Their purity and innocence We envy day by day, For they are far above us In many a different way. They bloom in God’s sunshine And droop in His rain; Their heart is made of beauty, Not sadness or pain. So we who surely know them Should love them more and more, And. learn the way to Heaven Is through the garden door. —Original by White Wings (13), Wellington.