SPRING MOON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 20

SPRING MOON

(Written for the Bing by "Ante," 14, Island Bay.)

TiE Moon Fairies were very busy polishing their windows the day before the moon should appear in its full glory in the spring month; for yov must know that on the night of the full*moon of spring, the Earta Elves are allowed to visit the Moon Fairies. This is the treat to which all the fays look forward and the baby fairies must be very good if they hops to go. On this same day when the Moon Fairies were making preparations, a wicked cloud-sprite, Drizzle, thought of a plan whereby they might triumph over their foes They would enfold the earth with clouds on the very night that was so important and break the path of moonbeams by which the Earth Elves could reach the moon. Night followed her brother, Day. Talking excitedly the Moon Fairies cut the ropes that bound the moon to its resting-place in Farthest East and it ascended the heavens. The Hyacinth Fairies put on their gowns of midnight blue, the gorse goblins donned their golden jerkins, the daffo' downlillies laid out their frilled1 frocks. The freesia fays sprayed themselves with their delicious scent All the entrancing Spring Flowers were ready for a jolly time. But the moon did not appear. Black, heavy clouds hung round the earth. Disappointment showed on every elf's face. Desperate attempts were made to make even one small break in the clouds but the cloud-sprites were too strong. Above, the-Moon Fairies were quite as disconsolate. When thtey attacked, the evildoers with their silver arrows, the cloud-sprites hid in their fleecy furrows.

The night were on. Something had to be done. Suddenly a small star that follows the tnhon had an inspiration. It shot away at such a speed that human beings thought it was a falling star. The Moon Fairies and the Earth Elves were about to return to their homes, when a vision in fresh green came by It was Lady Spring, who had come to help her Tiny Folk. She was unhappy, for she had lost the magic wand that makes the buds to appear, then blossom; A Daphne Eli was Wandering sadly in a garden when she stopped abruptly. In front was a tree which she had never seen before. Its straight sprigs were nubbly and tipped with small silver shoots, exactly like Lady Spring's -> wand. Daphne questioned the pixies of the tree. They told her that this was ' the wand. It had fallen to earth, taken root, and now a grown tree, was called Pussy-Willow. Daphne lost no time in telling this to Lady Spring. "Well," she laughed, "perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. I shall have an everlasting supply of magic wands!" The pussy-willow pixies chose a perfect sprig and Lady Spring floated up to the'clouds with it in one hand. With, the silver tip she touched the clouds gently. Immediately they melted, leaving a clear space through which the moon gleamed. Down arid up the pathway of moonbeans the Moon Fairies and Earth Elves frolicked. As the waves flowed into the light and began to glitter like tinsel, the; Ripple Nymphs joined the merry throng. The shadows narrowed, then lengthened, across the cold sands. The gaiety continued until the moon set when reluctant farewells were made. With the dawn, the Earth Elves began their usual work, happy for the memory ot the yesternight and looking forward already to the next Spring Moon.

The End.