Beyond The Rainbow

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 298, 13 September 1941, Page 14

Beyond The Rainbow

(Original by Mytyl (12), Wellington.) TILL huddled on the seat by the window and looked out at the pouring rain as it landed with a pitter patter on to the ground. The roads were bare and muddy. Smoke puffed from the chimneys, and told that the people who were usually about were enjoying companionable fires. “How I hate the rain,” grumbled Jill, who was in a bad temper. She was to have gone out hiking with her friends today, and she was moping and mumbling to herself when a faint ripple of laughter caused her to start. Looking up she saw a graceful figure dressed in a frock of shimmering—yes it was just like water. "Do not be afraid,” said the beautiful creature, “I am the Queen of the Rain Fairies.” “Rain Fairies!” Jill bad heard of ordinary fairies; but not rain fairies! "I have come to show you the laud whore we fairies live.” “Oh, how lovely,” exclaimed Jill. Far, far away across the rain a small girl was almost dancing with delight. She was in a land where no other mortals lived, actually walking on clouds which seemed like carpets, and all around her there lay a misty haze. From behind or under another cloud (Here would appear a dainty

fairy dressed similarly to the queen. Everything enchanted Jill! Soon the young queen was explaining that the rain fairies were the ones that saw to everything when it rained. When the Weather Man said it was going to rain the fairies would be busy turning on the little gold taps. “When it is not raining.” ended Jill s companion, “the fairies are sometimes lazy and as that is not too good it is best for it to rain occasionally. So

do not crumble when it rains.” Jill rubbed her eyes sleepily. Oh. dear! It had all been a dream. But she likes to think it was not a dream, and often when she is grumbling because of the rain she will soon stop, remembering that the rain fairies are hard at work.