THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 18

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

L-TTXjK Applo Blossom camo skipping down tho hillside, . singing joyfully. Little Gladness camo cut of her house. "Why are you so happy to-day, Appld Blossom?" she asked. • "Dear Little Gladness, I am invited to the . fourth birthday of tho Fairy King. Will you come?" :" Certainly, Apple Blossom. You are kind." Hand in hand they skipped along, chattering about the treat they were going to have, when Singing Givl met them. "Why are you so happy to-day, and ■where aro'you going?" she asked "Dear Singing Girl, we are invited to the fourth birthday of the Fairy Ring. Will you come?" "Certainly I will; how kind of you." So off the trio skipped, until Apple Blossom said: "Let us fly, to get there sooner." So, hand in hand, they flew, high above their homes. A big cloud stopped them. "Away, let us pass!" cried Apple Blossom; but the old cloud was spjteful, as ho had not been asked to the party. So he said: "No." But Apple Blossom touched him with her wandj and they passed by without further trouble Over hills and- bush they flew till Apple Blossom pointed to a beautiful bush ■with a notice: "To Fairyland." They flew down and were surprised to- find three butterflies awaiting them. '/How kind and thoughtful of JTairiel,'' said Little Gladness. "I wonder," mused Singing Girl, the Jfoungest of the three, "how far it is?" "Oh, we'll soon be there," said Apple Blossom, "as our steeds fly swiftly." Soon, right in the heart of the bush amid tall ferns and. autumn jnosses, they saw the Fairy Ring. • _ Everybody was there, and on a little mushroom table in front of Fairiel was the birthday cake. Such a wonderful

cake, made by the sldllfiillost cook in J Fairyland. For a moment tho visitors stood spellbound. Then the .fairies jumped up, calling "Welcome, Apple Blossom and Little Gladness; Welcome, Singing Girll" They were shown their mushrooms, and the feast began. Then Queen. Fairiel cut the cake. Such a beautiful cake it was, with four candles and little flowers and mushrooms done in pink icing, and all sorts of decorations; whilo two sugar fairies sat on each side of the cake playing wee pipes. Everybody had a slice and everything was merry and gay, when a messenger brought Fairiel a huge parcel. Everyone sat very still on their mushrooms while Fairiel opened it, and out fell a bunch of beautiful roses, pink ones, red ones, and yellow ones, such beauties, whilo a little card said "Birthday roses." There was exactly a rose each, so Fairiel passed them round. Dancing then took place, and as we all know, wherever a fairy dances a toadstool comes up. By 12 o'clock lots and lots of tiny Fairy Rings had appeared. At last Apple Blossom said they must go home. Up, up, into the sky went Apple Blossom, Little Gladness, and Singiug Girl. "What" a wonderful time we have had," said Singing Girl. "Yes," agreed Little Gladness and Apple Blossom, "and what a-wonderful cake!" When at last they reached their homes they fell sound asleep at once, to dream of the lovely birthday, party. Next morning little May, the farmer's daughter, was riding her pony when sh6 came to tho clearing in tho bush where the party had been held, and gazing at the Fairy Kings, she said, "I am certain the fairies must have danced here last night." Little did she know how true it really was., . "SUNSET." (10) Cartertou.