LITTLE ELVES AND BIG Fairiei Sends A LUCKY EASTER EGG A SURPRISE FOR A MINER MATTRESSES FROM TREES A MYSTERY SOLVED SCENT EVENING A SILK NEWSPAPER "THE RIGHT WAY."

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 20

LITTLE ELVES AND BIG

Fairiei Sends

A LUCKY EASTER EGG

A SURPRISE FOR A MINER

MATTRESSES FROM TREES

A MYSTERY SOLVED

SCENT EVENING

A SILK NEWSPAPER

"THE RIGHT WAY."

RULES TO REMEMBER Visiting hours to the Fairy Ring ire three to four-thirty o'clock on Mondays, Wtdntsdays, and Fridays. - 1. Addrass letters to FaJriel, "Fairy Ring." "Evening Post," City. C.I. , 2. Tell your age, name, and address as well as your pen-name. 3. Always say. whether your work Is original or eepied. 4. Do drawings on unlintd white paper. In pencil or Indian Ink. 5. Leave a martin When writing stories or verse; and write In INK on one side of the paper only. 6. The Ring closes at 4 o'clock on Wednesdays, to post early In the week.' . *

"Lobtna," Upptr Hutt.—Twenty-uvt/ eggs! TjVhat a. glittering pilo they.must have made. An-' other pair of twinkling knlttiug needles In the Ring. "P«p, the P«n|uln." Unir Hutt.—Then you'll hare .to make up for lost-time. You mustn't be 111 for-that holiday. "Little Gladness," Karorl.—lt must hare been 'specially Interesting, as you went twins, Sometime I BUrely will, have a turn on the,: "dodgems"! "Rider R«y," Porlrut. —I could almost sniff Ois early niornlng alrwhen I read your sketch. Good work, pixie. "Via." Porirua:—And I -'sped the "ehooks" are all that is left of the E.isleV crks how II was the jolllest Easter for ever so low:, wasn't It 1 "Mrt. Winklt," Ntwtown.—l did . . .heart; and heaps . . . and they were almost too lovely to- choose. "Mn. Whisk." Newtown.—A birthday at Eastcrtlme must be rattier jolly. I 'spect the table was gay with Easter eggs io their shining jackets. "Wandsrlrfl L«»." Hataltai.—Shows are exciting places to explore. Didn't It take hours and hours to look at everything? "Waitemata," Settoun.—They are both .lovely Maori names. One reminds me o£ a school I know. Do you'know it too? "Mifl»awh«u,", SeatotM.—But of course there's room for you ; : . even with such a long penname. Shall I see it in the letterbox again soon? "Purple Pansy," S«at»un.—That chill stole half of your holiday, chlldie. I hope It has taken Itself off by now. "U.5.A.," K«r»rl.—Your Peggy squares will help to make a warm cover for some little person. I'm longing to peep at your drawIng. "Tanglefoot" Newtswn.—That must havo been your lucky day 1 Big Brother will be wanting you for his chief bo\vler soon: ; "Holly ' Red," Island Bay.—You must bo a. clever little needlewoman to have >our vvorK on show. Did It win a prize?

Joan Sutherland lived with her • in- ] valid mother in a little cottage on the i outskirts of an English town. -The time of the year was drawing close to Easter and Joan was looking forward to' it, as she was hoping to get at least one Easter egg. She knew that her mother was not very rich, but she was praying that her wish for an egg would be granted. One day her mother told her that she would have to forgo her Easter egg this year as Mrs. Sutherland was finding it very hard to raise the money for i the month's rent. It took Joan all her time to keep back the tears. She ran out of the house and down the road to where the shops were all decorated I with the signs of Easter. While doing' this she saw Major Collinson and his; little four-year-old daughter walking I down the footpath. The Major stop-. ped to talk to a friend, and, unknown to him, Doreen slipped her hand out of his. Attracted by some beautiful, dolls in a toyshop window across the i road, she started to run to the shop. Suddenly the little figure stumbled j and fell right in the way of an approaching motor-car. 'Loud screams rose from all sides and cries of "She will be killed!" were heard. Joan, without any hesitation, sprang into, the road and swiftly seizing Doreen staggered out, of the road of the car. A large. crowd gathered around the' two children. Major Collinson, look-1 ing very pale, pushed his way through I

•Kapok, which gives us comfortable mattresses for our beds, is the pro-, duct of a tree that grows in tropical countries. It flourishes particularly well in Java,.and forms an important industry for the country. The kapok is a rather strange-looking tree, with parallel limbs stretching straight. out at right-angles from the trunk. It has large light green leaves* soft grey green wood, and smooth bark. It grows to a great height, and is often used to support the telephone and telegraph wirei along the highways. The trees blossom in April or May and flower until August or September. Then the petals disappear, leaving long hard pods that contain a fine fluffy fibre. When these begin to burst and 'send out heavy. down, it is time for the natives to set to work in gathering in the crop. , Boys are sent up into the trees, and they throw' down the pods, from which the soft, fibre is pulled out and wrapped ready for sale. During this process the masses of down lying about give a pretty effect as of a heavy fall of snow in spite of the tropical heat.

• After being in circulation for more than 15 centuries the "Peking Bao" has ceased publication. The newspaper, which was founded in 400 A.D. by S_u kung, was originally printed on six pages of yellow silk stitched together. In 1800 it became a daily paper. Many were the vicissitudes it passed through, but generation after generation it continued to bring the latest news into the homes of the people, and in spite of interdictions and suppressions it persisted for more than 1530 years.

A FEW HOUSEHOLD HINTS. 1. To remove fruit stains from Jlnen—Uae scissors. ' 'i. To test the freshness of eggs—Drop them on a hard substance. 3. To mako biscuits light—Soak them In paraffin and ignite before serving. "TOPSY-TURVI" (12). Fukcrua Bay. A TONGUE TWISTER. Hairy went to Hampstead, Harry lost Ills hat; Harry's, mother said to : Harry, "Harry, Where's your hati" "Hanging In the hall," said Harry, As he uttered that — Home came Herbert haTing jally Fcund at: Hampstead Harry's bat.

ttm,mTToTTTTn..i V ,.i....,.,,.M.;jmrrTmTn "THE GOLD-FISH;" The goldfish is shy And quickly upset; He cannot think why He nover Is ate. It's because ho is red; But suppose lie was green? Well, I'should have said He's Just a sardine! He lias much the same 11O3C, He is much the same size, And 1 do not suppose . I Ho is any more .wise. It's a shame, I allow, But you liad to be told; You'll appreciate now The importance _of gold. "SOMEBODY." rorirua. "THE ELF AMD THE FLOWER." "O, naughty elf, where have you been?" A mother fairy, cried: "Your pretlv coat and winss or green With .\ellow spots arc dyed I "I'm sure J'°" nlllsl liavc been nisli drowned In that tremendous , shower I" "Nay," said the elfin, 1 "for I found Safe shelter in a flower! "The pollen, fell all over me, And 'that's-the reason why . •■' • Jly coat, and wines are stained,' 1 said lie, "But see 1 I'm dry as /.dryl" . ■ • Found t>y • | "JUST JERRY': (14).

TRY YOURSELF WITH THESE. 1. What Is the Church season before Easter? 2. What is.the rank next aboye that of Lieutenant? • . ' 3. Who wrote "The Man From Snowy Mvcr"? 4. What sort of "patients" does a veterinary surgeon treat? 5. What general was known as "Bobs"? 6. What Is an. eisteddfod? , 7. To what lauguasc does the word "eiateddlod" belong!

Careful people, when they wak» In the morning, trouble take That one rule they do not break. 1)6-be sure, for pity's sake! It's a thing you cannot fake;/ Endless troubles you will make, . In no luck can you partake, ■ Happiness will you forsake, , Once you've made this great mistake. To avoid these ills, 'tis said, ' .Get the ritht viy out of bedt

THE TALE OF FERDINAND

(Written by "Red Wing," 16, City.)

A long time ago there lived in" Fairyland, A gallant pixie knight, and his name was Ferdinand— Up on a hill-top was a fiery dragon; he , '..-' . - Used to steal the fairies and eat them up for tea. The King of Fairyland had a daughter, Rosabella. ; One day the dragon stole her, and locked her in his cellar. > The King was in despair and offered a reward, "Half my kingdom and my daughter to him who with his sword Shall kill the fiery dragon and bring back his head and tail." ' And he pinned this notice up on every hill and dale. The notice soon was seen by'the gallant Ferdinand; He saddled up his horse and galloped o'er the land. He climbed the dragonls hill and shouted at the gate, _ "Come out, you evil monster, whom : all the people hate!" . , The dragon soon came rushing out, his face with anger pale, The knight sprang up and killed him, and took his head and tail. He rescued Rosabella and married her that; day. Now he is King and she' his Queen in Flowerland far away.

Schoolday . . . holiday . . . wet day '. .' . fine day. The young year, 1935, must keep his bran-tub well stirred, for holidays keep popping up in. the most unexpected places. Such blue, sparkling mornings he gave us for Easter-tide .... mornings that sent us double-quick out of bed and bath and into the crisp, tingling air of early Autumn. I 'sped you met her at every turn of the ivinding road and in every corner of the garden, dancing in yellow slippers, ivilh pale ribands fluttering in her hair: Shall we have a very special page to welcome her next Saturday. One quiet day was set' among your merrymaking the day set aside from all the year, when we dipped out flags and remembered Flanders Fields . . 1 Gallipoli . . . Anzac Cove . . . and ' the brave story you know' so well. My love to every one in our. Pixie Ring tonight. F AIRI EL

(Origihai)

| the crowd and pressed his little child I to his breast; "Thank Heaven you are safe my darling," he cried. He then turned to Joan and thanked her for her bravery, and asked her what was her name and where she lived. After a great deal of fuss had been made of Joan she pushed her way out of the crowd and hurried home to her mother. She told her mother all that had happened. After tea Joan went to bed, and dreamed of wonderful Easter eggs. In the morning she was called by her mother, and, after getting dressed, she went into the breakfast-room for breakfast. Judge her surprise! There was a large parcel by her plate, addressed to her. She opened it, and there disclosed to her eye* was an immense Easter egg, and a letter, with the following words on it: "Fftr a brave girl." Joan was very excited over this, and while her mother was smiling at her a' knock came at the door. Mr. Sutherland opened the door and there stood Major Collinson and Doreen. Joan's mother invited them in. The Major, after a quiet look round the room, thanked Mrs. Sutherland for her daughter's brave deed, and after several questions handed to Mrs. Sutherland the deeds of the little cottage. So it was a very lucky Easter egg for Joan and her mother. "YELLOW CROCUS" (10). Miramar.

> OUESB ME! j ' What Ik it which the more you take the] more you leave behind I— Footsteps. , From what word of lire letters can you tak« two and leave one?—St-one. What berry Is It that quacks?—A gooseberry. Why can the. world nerer come to an end? —Because it is round. . . "WILIiY-NILLT" (14). i Northland. ' . | ROCKS ANO SHOCKB. j There was an old lndy named Lee, | Who .went for a sail on the sea, ! But she sot'such a shock , When she bumped on » rock, . ' That she hurried, back bqme to her tea: -

SUNSET. (Original.) The sun was sinking tlowly In the vest, The birds were flying homeward to"their nests, And as I gazed with rapturous eye I saw a robin passing by. . • : Ah, sweet bird, winter is "'drawing nigh, And soon, the sky with mist will veil her face, And soflly, like an angel's Iflss, . The snow will fall with dainty {Trace, The fcood folk round their Bre» will me«t Ana sbudder it tbe wind aud aleeU, •

" PLEASE ....!" i m "Christmas Star," 23 Melrose Strict, Wallacerille, would like a. pcn-frlcnd wlio Is fonij of birds. "Iranhoe."—Write to Joan Sayers, East Porlruii. • ' Will the glr) or boy who sent a .description of Autumn some weeks ago* please send her name to 1'alrlcl? This very good work was. unsigned. it. -it it " NEW PIXIES . . ." ♦ •. •■Paddy-the-Next-Btat-Thlni" (13) .... City. "Daisy Bell" (10) Ltwer Hutt. "Maumawhau" (7) .......... Seatoun. Derothy Richards (II) ............... Pttont.

. . . an Answer to "Lassie," K«lburn.—Glad you didn't wander quite so far away . . . there seems to be enough energy stored (o more mountains. And the sunset tale ? It la beautiful. "Griatlda," City.—Xot right away . . . just round-nbout-iind-homo-agaln. Cricket fs a came that girls can enjoy as much as boys. ,Afo you" going to play 1 '.'Dorttliy Richards," Petono.—You may belong to our I'lxle-band, dear, but please cboogo pnother pen-name. Have you tried to wrllu your own poems? We all do In the Ring. "D» Da," City.—Thank you for the two poems. They are good and your work will Improve S.UU more with practice. ' "Prairit Rose," City.—Just like Jill! Did you have to have a brown paper plaster too? P'raps Easter holidays cured It completely. "Sunshina Elf." Brooklyn.—l'm aur« you collected some beautiful' acraps of tinsel paper from £aster esiis. Picture-making Is a ~ fascinating, hobby. "Judith Woti"," Pleton.—Tou are becoming a real picture fan ... bare you started saving photographs yetf All three Dims -were splendid. "Poppy PrlnoMi," Mornlnaton.—Bobbing apples is great fun. It is a, favourite Hallowe'en game. What a lovely party It must have been. "Goldilocki." NtwUwn.—l think I've met those very tame kittens before. Have you made any more of your very own verses r "Spldir Brown," City.—A proper InvltaUool ' Mummy will show you how to reply , . . and I hope It Is the best party ever. "Our Laii," City.—l should choose grew. Per- • haps If you looked In the window of the wool s>hop It would be easier to decide. ■ "TeddyV Aunt," Mastorton.—Copy faces from other pictures for ' practice), elf. I like all your drawings and I hare chosen four - for the Ring.' "Crimson Rose," Ssatoun.—Full marks, elf. They ■ were harder puzzles to solvo last week.

I Some miners working in Fhckley Colliery in Yorkshire have had a sur[prise to relieve the day's monotony. Dancing in the lantern light a mile from the pit,shaft and 600 .feet below the surface they were amazed to see a gaily-coloured butterfly. It seemed a miracle to find this creature of sunshine and summer weather in .the depths of 'the earth in. midwinter. In air thick with grimy dust it fluttered about between the dark masses of coal as happily as if it had been in a garden of roses in June. A miner caught the butterfly and released it on reaching the surface. It is believed that it was taken below with straw for the pit ponies.

Hey Siddle diddle! There have been some ' queer happenings of late in Thorney in the Isle of Ely. Every morning Farmer Gee discovered that his cowshed was lit - up, though he had been careful to turn off,the switch the night before. A watch was kept, and soon a cow was found licking the electric switch!

This game causes a great deal of laughter and fun. A number of jars or cups are' needed, and into each is placed some liquid or. material that has a noticeable scent. The jars arc then numbered and pasted over with a piece of cheese cloth, so that the person cannot see the contents. The guests are asked to writs down what they think each jar contains, judging .by the scent. An empty jar always provokes, laughter, and the winner' is the person who guesses. the greatest number correctly.

"MISS POPPY." (Frederick E. Weathcrly.) It was oii« summer morning, ' Walking through the corn. That I met a little maid Looking all forlorn. She had. a scarlet petticoat So beautiful to see;' I wondered if this little maid Would ever marry mo. I bowed to her, I spoke to her, 1 gave her sweet goodday; She only tossed her little head, And turned the othor : way.. But oli, I loved her dearly. And so I grew so bold: I took her hands, I kisaeri her lips, Although they were so cold. I took her in my loving arms And carried her away; I said, "Maybe she'll look on me I And marry me mat I day." But whin I came next morning, I found her dead, ah me! She was only a> scarlet poppy That had grown beside the sea. Found by "POPPY" (It). City.

FOR YOU TO GUESS. , When' are policemen like balloons? When they take people up. Why Is it ship never alone? Because she has a. companion. When Is coffee like mud? When It Is sround In the mornlue. Why do you carry an umbrella! Because it cannot walk.