"THE COMING OF SPRING"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1931, Page 18

"THE COMING OF SPRING"

WINTER was in a terrible state, for a messenger had come in Hot haste with a message, bidding him return at once to bis kingdom ju the underworld, fiat-, -alas! - this was impossible, for Spring had not yet come to rule in his place, and the world could oot be left without a "ruler. Winter was just at his wits' end wheu a Jittlo elf-man came before him, and bowing low said: "Your Majesty, I am Spring's decorator, and perhaps if I were to hang each bare bough with my little green flags Spring would Me them and come at once." "Bravo!" cried Winter. "Set 'te work at once!" And so for ten days and nights the little man and his helpers worked, cutting and shaping the little green shoots, and fastening them on to the trees. At last the work Mas done, and all waited impatiently for (spring to appear, but alas! she camo not. The little decorator sadly shook his head. "It is the first time my little signal* have failed,'" he said. Winter only scowled. Then, while was looking about him,'still-with'hopes' that Spring might come, a little voice said at hi* elbow: "Your Majesty, I am Spring's Trumpet Mistress, and methinks, that if I were to call my daffodil trumpeter* together, to blow the call, then Spring would hear and come at once." Winter gazed at the pretty little nymph by his «ide. "Set, to work, little Trumpet Mistress.,; but. hurry, for X must away."* And so she set to work, scattering all the fields and gardens with golden daffodils. At last the work *as done. "Now," she cried, "blow ye hard, my trumpeters! " And blow they did, until far away over the bills and' valley* the notes echoed. Spring in her little bed heard, and joyfully sprang up to answer the call she loved so well. Far away Winter and his people were hopefully waiting—waiting for the coming of Spring. ' She came soon, a little naked child, tiptoeing over the flower-drenched meads, and scattering blossoms and dewdrops in her wake. About her feet the wee white woolly lamb* came bleating, to frisk about her in frolicsome glee. With the appearance of Spring, Winter tnrned to go. "Take my throne, 0 Spring," he said. "You are so much more loved than L I do not know why I am bated so.'" Spring's bright face filled with pity foe a moment. "I am sorry for yon, Winter," she called softly. ««Good-bye—good-bye!" "Good-bye, little Spring," cried Winter, as he paused for a minute at the doorway to the underworld to east one last look over the smilling countryside. "Winter is gone!" cried tho mortals. "Winter is gone!" cried- Spring, and she laughed such a joyous note that the flowers heard and laughed too, and the trees and the stream and the wind and the baby leaves, until all were laughing to greet the child Spring. ROMA HOGGABP (15). City. ; ■; • •