FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 19

FAIRY RING

FARIEL SENDS...

"John W.," Kllbirnle.—A very good heading from so young an artist, John. Lambs, birds, and flowers make a real, spring scene. "Raymond W.," Kilbirnie.—Here's a lad who loves sea-stories. Shipwrecks and smuggling tales need descriptive . powers that are beyond you just yet, Ray. Try more simple subjects for your stories. "Peg o* My Heart," Ngaio.—Another old friend in the Ring tonight. The Letterbox Elf and I were glad to find your letter and that very • well-written story: "Moonalow," Raumati.—Did the .sun shine his brightest for your holiday at the beach? I'm sure you enjoyed long walks along those wide sands even in stormy iveather. We'd love to hear about the garden. "Snowdrop,!' Lower Hutt. —Thank you for sending such a friendly person as Mrs. Speekly Duck to the Ring. Small pixies will like her story. "Beryl W.," City.—Good to find you in the Ring again, Beryl., "Brighteyes" belongs so

WELCOME TO ...

"Spitfire" (13) Petone Dorothy Bargh (13) Hataitai lan Rowe (12) Lower Hutt Lorna Wilson (11) Hataitai

how would you like "Primrose Lady" for a ] pen-name? "Lorna W.," Hataitai.—What grand times you have with your new bicycle. No petrol wor- J ries for you when you want to go picnicking. . j "Connie D.," Scatoun.—A name for the brown >: and white cocker spaniel ? What about "Brownie" or "Romp." He must be a darling, i "lan R.," Lower Hutt.—We have some good artists among our boy members and we're glad to welcome another, lan. Just a little more practice and your sketches will be up to printing standard. "Minnie Mousekin," Ngaio.—Such a surprise to see you after so long, Minnie, as laden with parcels as Santa Claus . . . they reminded us that Christmas shopping days will soon be here. "Kathleen W.," City.—The kowhat trees are Indeed lovely, Kathleen. I pass one, a perfect fountain of gold, on my way to the Ring. Pressing flowera is a very interestIng hobby. "Blue Veil," City.—More spring entries from this mushroom. Pens and pencils are busy everywhere. We'll need an elastic Ring for Spring Page.

SPRING COMPETITIONS

Prizes will be given for the best drawings and drawings suitable for Spring Page.

Storymakers may write a flower legend, a story of a garden, or about people, birds, or animals. The artists may illustrate any verse or story that suggests a springtime picture. The story or poem need not be original, but the drawing must be your own work. Artists may, instead of the illustration, draw a heading for Spring Page. Remember that:—

Real names and ages must be written on every piece of work.)

Stories must not be longer than 700 words.

Artists under twelve may use pencil.

The competition will close on Saturday, September 28. Entries will be judged according to age.

LITTLE NEW THINGS

"All the flowers are bursting into bloom. There is a lovely tree of pinky*l white blossom in our garden which sends showers of petals on to the ground and both red and white japonica is out. ■ All kinds of bulbs are flowering and also sweet-scented violets. The pussy-willows' buds are covered with golden pollen, and rhododendrons are just coming out. I heard the bleat of a tiny lamb the other day." "PERIWINKLE." Eketahuna.

OUR OWN VERSES

A COTTAGE SMALL. (Original.) A cottage in the forest, Dainty and small, Surrounded by bluebells, And poppies tall. A kindly old lady, With a smiling face, 0, how I long To visit that place. "SUNRAY SALLY" (II). City. * * * . AN OLD-WORLD GARDEN. (Original.) It's just an old-world garden With moss-lined paths, And the beds with flowers are laden Down to the fresh, green grass. A sundial in the corner. The time away does pass, As, in the dress Spring gave her, Jonquil dances on the grass. The sweetly-scented lavender, The shy and blushing rose, The pansy-like viola, In the garden daintily pose. It's just an old-world garden With moss-lined paths, And the beds with flowers are laden, As spring dances on the grass. "JOY GERM" (14). Kilbirnle. * * * MOTHER. (Original.) When your hair has turned to silver. And you grow' feeble and old, I'll remember that within you ' There's a heart that's made of gold, And when I need good advice, Comforting, strengthening, too. There's only one person In the wide world to seek. And that, dear mother's, you. "AUSSI." City. * # # MY TOFFEE APPLE. (Original.) 1 have a toffee apple. Stuck upon a stick; It grows a smaller toffee apple' Every time I lick; How I wish that I could buy One that had the trick Of growing just a little bigger Every time 1 lick! "MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS" (13). Hataltal. ■ NOT TO BE CAUGHT. The absent-minded gentleman, about to leave home for a day or two, took three umbrellas with him. "But why take all those?" his wife asked. "You know me, Esmeralda," said the absentminded gentleman sadly. "I must have three: one to leave In the train, one to leave in the bus, and one for if it rains."

COLLECT SCRAPBOOK PICTURES

Little People: . Days and weeks are slipping by at a dizzying speed. September is turning like a merry-go-round towards spring and summer and, do you know, this week I even heard someone mention Christmas. Of course these are early* days for planning our ordinary Christmas gifts, but those of you who have fathers, brothers^ or uncles away with our fighting forces will be thinking of what to send them for Christmas. And we in the Ring can begin to plan our Gift Scrap* books for boys and girls in hospital. ... those collections of brightly' coloured pictures, drawings, and stories that help to pass the long hours for small hospital patients. It isn't a day too soon to begin collecting, if you want to be in the Christmas Scrapbook Competition. Cut out all the prettiest pictures you can find in old magazines, storybooks, or postcards and keep cuttings of-stories and poems you've enjoyed reading in the Ring. Later on I'll tell you how to fit them together to make a book. Let's make this year's collection bigger and more cheery than ever before. Are you all working hard at Spring Page drawings and stories? Good-bye till next Saturday. FAIRIEL

JENNIFER'S SECRET

(Original.)

"JENNIFER wandered down the gar- || den path to the little old seat «/ under the oak tiree. "Were there; really any fairies?" she asked herself. Mother said there were, but Marilon,Svho was five years Jennifer's senior, always laughed at Jenny when she mentioned fairies. While she was sitting meditating there came a tiny tinkling, and, looking up, Jennifer saw a tiny man, no more than a foot high! In his hand he held a tiny flute, which he was playing. So intent was he that he tripped right over Jennifer's foot. "Oh, I'm very sorry," she gulped, greatly surprised by this newcomer. "Clumsy thing! You mortals are all the same." "I hope you aren't hurt. Play me that tune again, please," she said as the little man looked rather angry. "I was practising for the Fairy Queen's concert when your big foot got in the way," he replied.

"Fairy Queen's concert!" Jennifer cried. "Then there must be fairies."

"You didn't know there were fairies!" he scoffed. "Dumb creature!" Then he commenced to play a bright, lilting little tune, while Jennifer danced as if the magic music compelled her to.

Lower Hutt

A Garden Pool for the Birds

(Any Boy or Girl Can' Make The birds will thank you for givingtnem one of these simple bathing pools. And all summer long you will enjoy watching them drink and splash. You may not be up in time for their early morning bath, but you will see them in and around the pool many times during the heat of the day. When you make a bird bath you must promise one thing—you must promise not to let it become empty. It is a good plan to add fresh water every morning. i • The bird baths in the picture are [very simple to make. The long one lis the cover of a boiler. This makes a I pool deep enough for bathing, yet shallow enough to be safe for young birds. When a boiler wears out, its cover generally is as good as new. If [you do not .find one at home, probably

BEST-LETTER PRIZES

THINK TWICE

The little man commented on her dancing and asked if she would perform at the Queen's concert, much to Jennifer's delight. The next,evening she slipped out of bed and ran down to the garden where the little man awaited her. "Now eat this piece of '.mushroom.1 Hurry I And turn round three times." Behold! Jennifer wore the most beautiful dress. It was made of spider-spun silk, with exquisite flowers around the hem. That night at the concert she danced as .she had never danced before, amidst the applause of the Fairyland folk. Suddenly, as she was being praised by the Fairy Queen herself, something shook her shoulder, and she woke up to find Marilon looking down impatiently at her. "You old duffer! Fancy going to sleep and, I dare say, dreaming of fairies or something silly. Come on, we're going swimming with Beth and Jane, so hurry." Jennifer hurried up the path with her sister. There was a smile on her lips, for she had a secret of her own. Fairies, silly? "MOTHER BEAR" (11).

A GARDEN IN LONDON

2 These Simple Bird Baths.) a friend or relative will have one to give you. When you have found a boiler cover for the bird bath, paint it inside and outside, including the edges, .to keep the metal from rusting. It does not matter what colour you paint the top and outside edges. But I would paint the inside with aluminium or blue paint. A shade of blue called poolblue, used for the inside of swimming pools, is attractive. Give the metal two coats of the paint. It is a good idea to place the wash boiler cover upon a mound of earth so that it will be higher than the ground around it. If you can find some field stones,' pile them up around the edges as shown in the picture. Plant rock plants between the stones and you will have a small rock garden. You might stick a bird-stick into the ground behind the pool. The other bird bath is made from the lid of a rubbish tin.

an answer ;rp^;.i

'"Summer Breejs." Island Bay.—Top o* the ladder for writing, fay! You're doing very well at tennis. The Elf and I wish" you luck.for the-next match. . . : . / ; "Nanna," City.—You couldn't guess how exciting it is to open all your letters. -Perhaps you could bring yours to the Ring ana visiting. day. >?»ny King people bring their OWn. . -■ ■._' ." -,: :. ".' .''-'!..' . ■ "Tossie," Kelpiirn;—A perfect day for "a h-Hfc top ramble today. The Elf and I would Hl** to take our lunches to your top-o'-the-worlcl and picnic there. Shall we find you in our Spring Page. Ring? ••' •"■■. "Pat C" City.~l chuckled when I read your letter about "Chum's" escapades. He is a playful title dog and must be a good companion. "Dorothy 8.," Hataltal.—Good news that.you have decided to join the Ring. Dorothy, xo« may see your first work In print in Spring Page. Try! . E "Moonstone." Roseneath.—What fun to spend j a holiday, at the beach, with "Moonglow." !■ «o<r>c!Hcr>eo<r><»<cr>oo<T>-(vc -.cx!*:

Prizes are given in the Ring each month for the best letters written by Ring members about their hobbies, pets, ambitions, travels, or books. Letters should be addressed to "Falriel," "Evening Post," Wellington. "i ,

The seaside Is lovely at this time of th» ' year even though St Is too soon for swim-.,, mlng. . "Water Nymph." Lower Hutt.—Poor puss. He has to work hard as a tunnel-tester and a flnst-ald patient as well. I like your description of * spring garden. . :i "Merrymaker." City.—You have mixed New Zealand and English birds in your pottn, . pixiekin. Shall we find another bird to take nightingale's place in the poem? "Mother Bear," Lower Hirtt.—Very much1 better, this time, Margaret. The sketch called.. "Visiting" is just the right size and so J« the little crinoline girl. » , 1' "Qrey Owl." City.—Rab was a good companion'" for that picnic day. We could almost smell the sea and see the sun. on the waves as we read your letter in spite of rain on the Ring window-pane. "Spitfire," Petone.—A name to be proud of, Bob. Welcome to the King tonight and thank you for your paragraph on the hilltop view. "Sally Sunbeam," Karorl.—We hadn't forgotten you, Sally, and Letterbox Elf simply beamed when he found your letter s and that neatlyprinted school story. We both like it and we're sure the Ring people will.:.

s FAIRY LESSONS. What do the fairy children Learn in their elfin school? They learn to dance : Where moonbeams glance .' [] [n meadows green and cool., ; They learn, when they are drinking From out a lily cup A drop or two of crystal dew, To tilt the flower half up. On moonbeams they learn sKdHng^ From softest thistledown, . , - Aa harebell blue, And cobwebs f too, They learn to make a gown. They learn to move as silent As frost throughout the night, , And they must learn At morn's return Where fairies hide from sight. — Oma Olna Martin.

WHICH BIRD? (Original.) My first's in thrush and also In1 stork; My second's In parrot but not in hawk; My third's in lark but not in owl, My fourth's in canary but not in fowl; My fifth's in rook and also in wren, My sixth's in crow but not in hen. My last's In swallow but not in starling, My whole is a bird you all think a darling. "BLINKING BILLY/* Lower Hutt. •» • »■

LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES. Picture Word.—Coronation. / Proverbs. —"Too many cooks spoil the broth* and "Two heads are better than one."

London is a wondrous place, set i&~C" wondrous scene. ' j. - "One morning when the war newi^ was very grave," writes a Londoner,.., "I stood four miles from Charing Cross; listening to thrushes and blackbird*,~ chanting with delight, with the cuckoo/.trumpeting a mellow accompaniment, 5 "The setting of the scene was idyllic, " a picture a rural garden could hardly* excel. A giant chestnut, still bearing the outlines of its myriad candelabra, seemed to be holding whispered communion with an oak that was already a veteran when Nelson was thwarting Napoleon as we shall thwart Hitler. >

"One face of the house was a shimmering haze of wistaria; 'round the corner was a lusty grape, vine. Th,e£ garden borders flamed with peonies,* roses, lupins, larkspurs, arid' other glories; strawberry blossom, hastening towards fruit, still helped to swfell th«; hoard of the bees hived on ttielaTVJi;" while figs as big as walnuts,1 ■ anelpeaches promising to bring their greets harvest of fruit to perfection, fitted total the scene. We could not help think-; ing, as we stood in this doctor's garden in Dulwich village, 6f the dayip; when strawberries, grew in Holbprri/* This is London just bsyorid .the :tovx*; mile radius. Truly it is not alone itjtj' civic, military, and financial traditions that London preserves from the past;. it retains its gardens and its natural;, glory equally with'the invincible spirit' no foreign foe can' intimidate as quench. ./