THE GRASSHOPPER BAND

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 18

THE GRASSHOPPER BAND

It was a' grant! night in the insect world, for the bees had invited .all tho other insects to a party. There were to be games and competitions and dances, as well as a splendid supper, for which the bees had been working hard. The -wasps camo first, having left their stings at home, and bßhind them came the butterflies, tho moths, the gnats, and the ants. The ladybirds wore their most speckly dresses of black and red, and the spider, who was almost late, slid down a thin, silky rope jfroin the branch of a tree. When all the guests had been welcomed, Mr. Boe said:"Will you,,take your partners for a foxtrot?1' . , ■.. . But Mrs. Bee buzzed in his ear: "My dear, the band has not arrived. What are we to dot" Now it happened that just boside Mr. and Mrs. Bee a fine tall grasshopper was standing, and' he immediately bowed low and said: "Sir and Madam, please don't worry. My friends and 1 have our instruments always with us.

We will play for you with pleasure." Mr. Beo thanked him, and in two minutes the grasshoppers were in position, their arms well bont to hold their fairy fiddles, and in three minutes Mr. Bee and old Mrs. Beetle led the. way, followed by Mrs. Bee with young Mr. Earwig, and soon the insect party was at its height. Games followed the dancing, and after supper the host's small son recited: "How Doth the Little Busy Bee," quite as well an you can, ' Then someone called for one more dance, but there was no sign of the band anywhere. Grasshoppers never play in the daytime, and, sure enough, there was a faint rosy glow in the east. Then there was a hurrying and a scurrying and a scuttling _ away to holes and nests and crannies. If you have never heard the Great Green Grasshopper "Band, just creep into a field one evening, mousey-quite, and listen! 0. M. EOOKWOQD.