BIRTHDAY REVELS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 127, 30 May 1936, Page 20

BIRTHDAY REVELS

(Original.)

The silence of night reigns, then softly as in the distance a little, flutelike call sounds and from under every drooping fern and out of the rustling trees came dancing and skipping little 'elfin creatures. Quite plainly seen in the light of the kindly old moon. The music sounds nearer, till the piper himself appears, a little pointed-eared pixie. His piping stops, for he has found what he'sought, a large ring of friendly, snug, little toadstools.

Now the pixies come, they all seat themselves on their toadstools and wait for .'Fairiel. She '• domes and finds her place in the middle of this enchanted" ring—yes, it is the Fairy Ring. "Pixies," she says, "this is the birthday of the.Ring." Oh, yes, they all knew! .Hadn't pixie postman visited each- little .pixie home with an envelope witH a. toadstool in the corner and a little note inside? And hadn'J Mrs. Pixie Greenleaf specially- 'patched Tommy Greenleaf's trousers (for he -would slide down the mossy banks) specially for; the occasion? Oh, yes, they all knew. Then said Fairiel: "Pixies, this is ,the birthday of the ring as youl all know, "so we are gathered here tonight to celebrate it. Sir Pixie Coprosma Berry will now read the year's report." Peter Pixie sighs. He is wishing they'd start handing round refreshments. But, then, his mother always said .he was as plump as an acorn. Sir .Coprosma Berry, reads out a long "list,, which most pay great attention to, for the first half, but.the second half no one hardly'pays attention to. Who could when such exciting things were going to happen? At last he is finished. The pixie piper again pines and is joined by the locust fiddlers, and all the other bush musicians. Dancing begins—each elfin sprite trips away with his partner. What a joyous scene. Faster and faster plays the music, faster and faster skip elfin toes. The wise old owl sits watching all; he is much too wise for dancing.

Refreshments are served in hollowedout karaka berries, tiny moulds of pixie ice-cream, with a rosy berry on top. .Peter Pixie enjoys himself now. Look! What is coming? For in the cool night air, a beautiful ray of light appears. .Why, it is the fairies. ■ They have come as. they said they would, each happy little creature smiling with pleasure. How : wonderfully they dance, and how dainty they are, Each little pixie hastens for a dance.

Suddenly ihe music stops. Everyone stands still, then away into the shadows, to the shelter of the old trees and swaying ferns, back to the secret places they came from. AH Is again silent.. For why?. The first pale beam of day has peeped outi The night of revelry is over. A lonely little ring of toadstools is left in the dewy grass. [■■"■'. "PENNY HA'PENNY" (14). '■■■.-■ Hataitai.- ;;; . ; '