ONCE A YEAR

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

ONCE A YEAR

,/ , HAVE a feeling that there's someJl ,' tiling to-day which I have ■ for--1 gotten," little Corral, the sea fajk-y thought. "Now let me see. Toitaff is 30th May. Nothing that 1 can remnember —And, yet—l" /She'thought for a few moments, and then suddenly: "Of course! How silly of; me! It's the birthday of the Fairy Eing to-day. Four years old! As old as littlo Pearline." This was Coral's itree sister. "And I promised I'd come and see the elves, and fays, but I don't know where they are going to hold it. . ■ Just at that moment Sheeny, the little postman, swam up to the door of her house of coral and pearls. . "Letter for Miss Red Coral, two for Miss Snowpearl, and a parcel for Miss Pearline," he announced, cheerfully. "Big mail to-day," and swam away. "Oh-h!" Coral danced with joy ; She delivered Snowpearl's (her elder sister) and gave Pearline her parcel, then gat down to open her own letter._ Inside was an invitation with a lovely blue and gold F.R. monogram at the top. Underneath, in neat coloured printing, were these words: — "Dear Coral, —We are holding our fourth birthday party to-night on Dancey Green in Tinkle-on-Creek. Please do come. If you-would like to bring your little sister, do. Come any time after 7 o'clock. Love from Fairiel and tho Fairy Ring." "Oh! "cried Coral, in delight. "I should love to come." \ She asked Snowpearl if she or Pearline would like to go. "No," replied Snowpearl,. "I cannot go, and Pearline is too young. You may go if you like." • - So that night at ten past sevens Coral jumped on. to one of her seahorses and. rode tho foam until she' reached the

shore. Then off she jumped sufl ra« into the thick bush. .■■:';■ It was quite a long walk to Tinkle-qn« Creek, but after about ten minutes' walk she heard voices and knew that she was near. Then she broke into the clearing. : At one end, abont fifty elves and fay* were gathered on mushrooms round a big fire. At the other a huge mushroom was laid with the most delicious fairy dainties imaginable, while in the middle Was the ballroomj lit up with fairy glowworms, which, as you pro» bably know, are in all different rain* bow colours. ' The fairies and elves were very glad to see Coral, and.chatted, away to her. All- this while many other elves and fays were arriving, till at last every mushroom was filled, some even having two or three sitting on them.. All at once there■ was a -"hush a* Queen Fairiel's coach arrived, drawa by-hundreds of blue and gold moths. She stepped out and cheers rent the skies.. Everyone was cheering and dancing. After the cheering, had died : dowa (for everyone was hoarse) two elves who had been in the coach with Queen Fairiel opened the door and lifted .out hundreds and hundreds of gay. scrap* books! • : Queen Fairiel. mounted the platform and then said that after the party all the elves were going to fly to the hospitals and distribute the scrapbooks tn tho poor little sick sufferers. Then, there was more cheering and dancing and games till' they were tired After the delicious supper, the elves picked up the gay, bright scrapbooks and flew to the hospitals to bring a little bit of sunshine into the children'! lives. "PETER PAN." (15) "iNeverlana."