Silver Sparkle’s Prank

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 25

Silver Sparkle’s Prank

It was Mrs. Pink Petal’s washing day, and in Fairyland all the family helps with the washing, even the tiniest babe having some soapsuds with which ro splash. Pear Blossom, the eldest daughter, had been sent along to Mr. Silver Spider to tell him to come and weave a silken clothes line from one hollyhock to the other, and Golden Sparkle, the only elf of the family, was told to fly and gather foxglove flowers, to be used as pegs for the fairy garments. Mr. Pink Petal, with folded wings, lay basking in an acorn-cup chair under the berry bushes. The day was fine mid bright and Mrs. Pink Petal was bustling around, singing at her work. Soon Mr. Silver Spider arrived, and after he was given a drink of fairy wine he set to wark. In the meantime Silver Sparkle, who was a naughty little elf, flew gaily along with his basket, gathering flowers from every stalk. As lie flew along past Mr. Owl's oak-tree home he, seeing the door open, could not resist peeping in. He saw Mr. Owl asleep in bed and over the end of the bed his clothes were neatly folded, while his socks and shoes were on a chair. “Aha,” thought Silver Sparkle, “those socks give me an idea.” He crept softly to the chair and, picking up the socks, he flew out of the door. His basket lay forgotten on the ground, and every thought of his errand vanished. He carried the socks along to Mrs. Wren's nest, where her sleeping babies lay. As it happened. Mrs. Wren was not at home, so Silver Sparkle carried out his mischief in secret. He gently lifted the sleeping babies into the socks (there were four birds—two in each sock) without waking them. Next he flew back to Mr. Owl's and deposited his burden very, very carefully on the chair. He then flew gaily to the next tree’and perched in a branch, awaiting the results. He had not long to wait. Soon the fun began. Mr. Owl had commenced to put on his socks, and had awakened the baby birds, who immediately started protesting at the full pitch of their lungs. What with this and Mr. Owl’s voice roaring out. "What the dickens! . . . By jove, what’s this?” the din was terrific.

All birdland came hurrying to the spot. Silver Sparkle laughed until lie liad to hold his sides and, through this, lost his balance. Down he tumbled, on top of the crowd, still laughing. The culprit was plainly to be seen. Up bustled Mrs. Pink Petal, and after soundly spanking that naughty elf, she tucked him under her arm and departed. Poor Silver Sparkle! I’m afraid Mrs, Pink Petal's washing day had to be postponed. .. —“Buster Boy” (15), Wellington...