WILLIAM RABBIT AND THE FAIRY KING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 129, 3 June 1933, Page 20

WILLIAM RABBIT AND THE FAIRY KING

IT may have boon a nook that one of the Gods had in olden times placed there for his playground, its beauty was so great. No mortal had ever set eyes on it, for it was in the heart, of a dense Aotearoa forest, guarded by Magic and Fairy Folk—the Fairy Ring. Six years ago it was found by a few wandering fairies who wanted a home. They were enchanted by its babbling brook with its water-lilies and brilliant dragon-flies, its mossy floor with tiny fern fronds peeping through at them; with the wild flowers and vines that hung.from the tall trees. Every songster of Aotearoa, seemed to nest around. The whole glen was ono of exquisite beauty and colour. ' . But today, the Ring was six years old, and growing more and more the whole time. If one looked very hard, one would see the little old caretaKer of the King polishing the mushrooms and tables. The Eing would not seem the same without old Nat. Ho instructed tho birds when and what.to sing, and threw magic into the flowers to keep them awake. He placed the food on covered trolleys and put the big cake in front of Fairiel's seat. Very carefully he covered that, for it had six big candles on it., ' ' ' ' ,™', At last Nat was satisfied. The glow-worms were placed to read as "Welcome" and "Many Happy Eeturns," while the elfin sentinels were in their places. Everything was ready when the first star showed and dusk began to creep down. Fairiel had said: "Be there at eight." , . . • • • • • • • "Tabitha," said William Babbit with the air of one_who has made an important discovery.- "Tabitha, something unusual is going on in my forest. Something, T.abitha, that has not had my permission.." "Yes, my lord, "answered the little grey rabbit known as Tabitha. "And, Tabitha, I will not allow it.',' " Yes, my lord. But, if Ido not offend, how aro you going to prevent it?" ' ' ', "How?" squealed William Rabbit. "How, Tabitha? Do you not remember the time that a monster was at our front door,-and I forced him to submit to me?" . . ' ■ . .' ...-. . •: "Yes, my lord," said Tabitha, timidly, remembering quite well that at

(Original, by "Sunset," aged 12, of Carteiton.)

the time 'William Rabbit had bolted into a comet1, ana squealeckthat ho was being murdered, leaving her to shut the door on the beast. "Well!" said William. "Well, Tabitha! I'm surprised at you! Come ,on at once. This cannot be allowed in my forest!". So saying, he scurried out of the burrow, followed by the faithful Tabitha. After much nosing around they reached the King, and William Rabbit collapsed at the thought of anyone using his playground! To tell the truth, ho had never set eyes on the Fairy Ring before. But when he saw 'the mysterious package in front of Fairiel 's mushroom, he was beside himself with curiosity. At all costs he must find out what that was! Accordingly, he took two steps forward —arid, ten backwards, falling over a tree-root in conclusion. . ' "Sh, Tabitha!" he frowned. "How dare you make a noise! Hero como the intruders!" " * And, surd enough, down the stream came a long procession of fairy canoes, and but of the first stepped Fairiel, holding1 Littlest by the hand,- Fairies and elves laughed and chattered gayly as they landed, all to wish tho King a Happy Birthday. William Rabbit had just said: "Now, watch, me!" when Pollyanna stepped forward and said: "Three cheers for Fairiel and the Fairy Ring!" v Cheer after cheer rang out; and the brave William Rabbit disappeared between the tree-trunks with a .flash of his white tail, followed by Tabitha. With what fun and laughter did the Fairies give the Ring its birthday greetings! When the grey dawn appeared all too soon, the merrymakers trooped happily off to dream of tho great feast, they'd had, and to wait eagerly for the next great party. k It was many moons after the joyous scene that took place in tho moonlight in that magic glen of the Ring. William Rabbit was telling his five children a bedtime story. . . . . "You would be sure to like this tale of your father's brave deeds," no bragged. "It was many moons ago, and I had a foresight'that intruders were in my forest. 'I journeyed there ut once, and found strange beings. Who can tell how I drove them out? Who can tell how " But tho five littla rabbits had passed through tho Valley-of Nod into the Land of Dreams.