JUST FIVE MINUTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 20

JUST FIVE MINUTES

(Original.)

Oh, wonderful moon, please send ■•

your light, ■ I've a long way to go, And it's so dark tonight. ■ Everything's quiet, , And the birds are asleep; The night is so still, And the woods are so deep. Though the stars are all shining, It's dark in the trees. Lend me your light, Qh, Silver Moon, please! There's- not far to go now, I can see a small light, Shining and glittering Through the quiet night I'm out of the trees, And am sure it is late; At the end of the path ■'-- ' I can spy our small gate. "ALICE BLUE GOWN" (10. Glenside. ,

r , (Original.)

"Bed-time, Jeanie," cried Mother. ."Bother!" seftd' Jeanie,, closing her book with a. snap. "I wish' I,could stap up just five more minuses." There came no reply fromI''the kitchen, s» Jeanie took the silence 'as .'an agreement and settled down on the hearthrug to watch the fire. Suddenly ft piece of coal splintered, sending out a shower of spaTks, which, to^Jeariie'a amazement, turned into'fairies in front of her very eyes. ; One fairy, mof beautiful and bright than the rest, flew out and touched Jeanie's. arm. In a moment Jeanie felt hewell growing smaller and smaller, until she ,wai > the same size as the < fairy* • /eanie was frightened and all she could «ay was: "Who are you, andv^wWr§. «• you taking me?"; The sprite,'jintwered her in a silvery voice, which banished all Jeanie's fears immediately.! , '1 am the Queen of.the Fire Sprites, fttul I have come to. show-you my kingdom. Come." She took: Jeanie's hand and together they flew Into .the fire, which was a gorgeous land 'bf golden castles and red mountains.«'pn they flew towards the largest castle of them all, the Queen's castle, The .interior of the castle proved to be ih» most beautiful sight Jeanie had erer seen, especially the huge, ballroom, where the Q"ueen was received among much rejoicing. Jeanie danced .with' several of the lords of the, country and was afterwards led to ft long table, which groaned under the weight of the daintiest things Jeanie had ever before seen.l AH too soon it was time for Jeanie to leave, -but before she left the Queen stepped from her throne and kissed,her lightly on the forehead and' promised' to bring her again. The Queen .then clapped her hands and two fairies stepped forward and escorted Jeanie to a goldfii^eoach, which bore her home.- When the fire was left behind the coach collapsed into a shower of sparks or fairies, while Jeanie, by now her usual lize, landed with a bump on the hearthrug. "Come, Jeanie," called her mother,, "five minutes are past" "Coming, Mother," returned Jeanie, and, jumping up, darted.into her bedroom, wondering when her next visit to the fire-sprites would take place. "LITTLE TOTTY" (11). Petone.