FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 78, 28 September 1940, Page 19

FAIRY RING

FAIRIEL SENDS...

"Huckleberry Finn," Eketahuna.—Another busy drawing pencil. Those two plump baby rabbits made a dainty spring study. Do you keep pet rabbits?, "Periwinkle," Eketahuna.—We welcomed your spring maiden in her flower-petal frock, pixie. I hope you'll keep on practising. Your sketching is improving. "Dolly Dahlia," Eketahuna.—You couldn't have found a better poem to copy, Diana. Every line paints a picture of this new, sunny season. Our love to three country pixies 1 "Fairy Artist," KarorJ.—Now you are a member of the Ring, Beverley, and we are looking forward to seeing your drawings in this page. I'm glad you decided to come visiting that sunny morning. "Deirdre S." Karori.—A big welcome to you, too, Deirdre. I wonder in which part of the wide Ring we'll find you . . . with the versemakers, writers, or artists? "Tuesday Fairy," City.—So Spring was caught in one of her own showers. It was such a fat envelope and I was ever so glad to find the spring story and poem inside. "Tory," Lower Hutt.—Two hundred miles' is a long journey.' Did you enjoy your stay in Whangarei? Thank you for sending bo many riddles^ elf. "Little Lilac Lady," Lower Hutt.—You. must have loved the beach-house. What funny little things sea-eggs are . . . like tiny hedgehogs. You may have this penname. "Sunray Sally," City.—An "excellent" for verse-making, Sally-elf! Your drawings are good, too, but will you please make thicker lines when you use'drawing ink? "Wizard of Oz," City.—A dainty poem of the pussy-willow, Phillppa. The Letterbox Elf was pleased to know that you hadn't forgotten your mushroom _stool. "Pea o' My Heart," Ngaio.—i can guess where you found the idea for the latest story, lass. It is very nicely written and you'll find it in print one day soon. | "Chinkachook," Newtown.—Was the concert a great success? I think it must have been. I'd love to see a copy of your form magazine.

OUR OWN VERSES

"THE PLACES I LOVE."

(Original.) Up on the hills where the trees are swaying, Down at the bend where a stream Is playing, Over the bay where the white gulls fly And the yachts, with full sails, go flashing by, These are the places I love. Out in the fields where the flowers are blooming, i Down in the garden where bees are zooming, Up in the sky where the birds are flying. Down in the woods where a breeze is sighing, These are the places I love. Out on grey rocks with the tide pouring in, Watching white horses all racing to win, The high-hurled spray and the "suck" of the tide, All open to me a wonderland wide. For this Is the place I love best. "GREY OWL" (14). City. * # # COOK'S BIRTHDAY. (Original.) "Tomorrow happens to be Cook's birthday," Said Polly the Pan one night. "What can we give her?" said Jimmy the Jamjar. "I know, let's do everything right." Next morning when Cook went into the kitchen She looked at the tap in surprise, For it had stopped leaking overnight. So she couldn't believe her eyes. Polly the Pan fried everything perfectly. Peter the Pot boiled right, And Kitty the Kettle boiled quickly all day, Singing with all her might. The dishcloth was quick while cleaning the dishes, The broom swept the floor in a tick, While the sandsoap and scrubbing brush busied themselves In cleaning the stirring stick. And when at last the clock struck nine The cook sighed and said,, "0, I've had such a happy day," Then she slowly went up to bed. "MRS. WHISK" (12). Newtown.

WHAT IS IT?

(Original.) My first is in grate, but not In fender. My second Is in painful, but not in tender. My third is In reaper, and also In ploughar, My fourth is in plant, and also in flower, My fifth is In breakfast, but not in lunch. My whole is a something we all like to crunch. "DALE ARDEN" (11).

THINK TWICE

Here are ton drawings of familiar objects seen from unfamiliar angles, and the ten peoplo to whom they belong are included in the following list; Bricklayer, barber, baker, charwoman, sweep, butcher, doctor, mechanic, draughtsman, artist, miner, gardener, tailor, sailor, builder, carpenter, postman. Can you identify the objects and link them with their owners? For example: 8 Screwdriver—Mechanic. HEADS AND TAILS. What flsh beheaded makes a girl's name? What animal curtailed will name a river? What fruit beheaded means to wander? What bird beheaded remains a bird? What flower beheaded becomes a liquid? WHAT AM 1? Ere man first came, my early days began; I ape ,each creature and resemble man. I gently creep o'er tops of tender grass, Nor leave the least impression where 1 pass. Touch me, you may, but I can ne'er be felt, I Nor ever yet was tasted, heard, or smelt; ' Yet seen each day; if not, be sure at night You'll quickly find me out by candlelight.

A SPRING THAT RESTS

There is a spring in America in the red sandstone of the Passaic Valley that flows only on Sundays and holidays. This spring, which rises in a picnic ground, once flowed perpetually but some time ago a number of deep wells were bored into the sandstone to supply water to silk-dyeing works in the neighbourhood. Almost immediately the spring changed its habits and ceased to flow on weekdays. The mystery is easily explained. On working days the underground slope from which the wells ar"e supplied is drained down below the level of the spring outlet and the spring ceases to flow. It is only on Sundays and holidays, when the pumps are not working, that any water is left over for the spring. -—Found by June Preston.

Pixie Ones: Spring is surely in this Ring of ours, even if you have any doubts that it is in the outside world. Through the doorway every day this week streamed a procession, of frisking lambs, plump little rabbits, dancing children with arms filled with blossom, branching trees, birds, and all the new little things of Springtime. We love to find a packed letterbox, and the Elf has enjoyed sorting your Spj'ing Page competition entries. You may send any last-minute pieces this iveekend, but not a minute later than Monday. How lucky we are to be in this part of the sunny world of clean blue skies, and singing birds, and days that promise a long summer, while, from half a world away, come stories of heroism and sacrifice that make us feel proud to be British. And noiv the Elf and I are off to choose the Best Letter prizes, so look for us on "Treasure Island," in "The Mountains of the Moon," or somewhere along the sea or sky ways. If you happen to be a prize-winner in Spring or letter competitions, don't forget to tell me your favourite author! Good-bye till next Saturday! FAIRIEL

SPRING'S MESSENGERS

TUI, THE MIMIC

"I think the smartest bird is the tui. He is a glossy black in colour, and has a white tuft at his throat. The tui can Imitate the cry of a baby. Sometimes when you think you can hear the bellbird you find it is only the tui imitating its sweet voice." : "MTTI/E BlBD" (8)w Hataitai. I

SPRING SIGNS

Spring has a. elgn • . ' . For eyes awake to see— For youra and mine. See, half hesitant upon the bough Enchanted singer, Vocal now. And note how frail, How frail and brief, Crocus unfolds Her emerald sheath. ■ I— John Ritchey.

The Lost Child

IT was a wet, cold day, and the wind I moaned dismally about the tall> { gabled old house that stood in a tiny hollow surrounded by whispering pine trees. By the window in the spacious drawing-room, her nose pressed hard against the rain-spattered pane, stood Lola Renley, gazing out at the rain-drenched grounds. As she watched, the child suddenly glimpsed a slim figure run up the wide drive and sink to the ground behind a thorny .rose bush. ■ A few seconds later a swarthy, darfci skinned man -also appeared and, after a hasty search and a, furtive look at the house, retraced his footsteps and disappeared from view. . . , Lola waited to see no more! With a gasp she started to her feet and ran across the room, down the stairs, through the hall, and so to the front door. Bareheaded as she was, she did not hesitate, but ran across the wet grass and made her way to the tree. Furtively she peeped around it, then fell to her knees with an exclamation of pity. The mysterious newcomer was huddled up on the wet grass; her eyes were shut and her pretty face was deadly pale. Without a word Lola rose and ran into the house, from which she appeared less than a minute later with two manservants, one of whom picked up the senseless girl in his arms and bore her into the house. As her parents, Lord and Lady Renley, were away in the city, Lola set about giving orders to the servants, and in less than an hour the stranger had recovered sufficiently to sit by the fire, and after a hearty meal began to talk freely. It appeared that she had been handed over to the gipsies as • a small child and had,lived up to now with them. They had ill-treated her, so she endeavoured to escape and had managed to get a fair distance from the camp before they had discovered her absence. "They set off to catch.me," she said, "and probably would have had your house not come into sight at the right moment. I can rem,ember hiding behind a tree, but after that all went black and I knew nothing till I wokeup and found myself here." "You fainted," said Lola. "But, tell me, what is your name?" "I don't know my real name," came the answer, "but the gipsies called me Rawnie " "I see," replied Lola. "Well, now, would you care for a sleep? Dad and Mother will be home soon and perhaps they will be able to find out more about you. I'll call Susan to show you to your room." And she disappeared. Lola returned to her own room and sat in deep thought

(Written by "Pearl of the East," 13; Eastbourne.)

It was only the other day that her | parents had informed her that she ! was adopted. "We once had a daughj ter of our own, Lola," Lord Renley had |said; "But she.was stolen when just a babe and we have /never heard of her since. We missed her terribly, so we adopted you and brought you vp1 as our own." .'■"'• All this ran through tola's irund and suddenly a strange idea came to her. Could Jt.be. .possible that I^awnie was really the lost child-^-her. step-sister? How she hoped it was sol Despite the fact that she had had all that she

wanted, Lola's life had been a lonelyone and the prospect of a playmate was certainly thrilling. # The night wore slowly away until at last Lord and* Lady Renley returned home. Lola related to them everything that had happened, also her secret hope that it was the "lost daughter." v ■ "We will soon know," said Lord Renley as he strode up the stairs to Rawnie's room^ "for there was a tiny birthmark in the shape of a heart on her right shoulder. Ah, here we are." He entered, followed by his wife and i Lola, and stretching out his hand drew the silken wrap away from the -shoulder of the sleeping child. There, for everyone to see, was—a tiny bloodred heart! It was a happy reunion! Lord and Lady Renley were overjoyed and gazed with pride at Lola and Sylvia, otherwise Rawnie, who sat together by the fire, discussing plans for the morrow and the future, settled down for the night.

AN--ANSWER" I 1!) .. .

"Quicksilver," Dannevlrke.—World champion . golfers have had less promising beginnings . . . andthe rake seems a useful idea for 2 a nice club. What a surprise to find that you had been .so near the Ring. "Daisy Dawn," Karori.—The more I look at:. the "Moonlight" picture the more I like it. We are always eager to see new drawingsfrom pen. A very big thank you from all, the Ring. ;.:,■■ "Mary N.," Khandallah,—Another spring entry; Thank you, Mary. Have you chosen a pixie v penname yet ? ■ I couldn't find one with your story. . • . ~ ;'■" "Grey Owl,"* City.—A very neat heading, "Grey-, Owl." So you are van artist as well as "a writer 1 I'm afraid the lettering la too tlnyv. for the sketch to be used. "Lassie," City.—What a chronicle of "doings.''^ You must be the busiest person In the lUng^i Yes, we'd love to know how to makir

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WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS'?

1. Is sport Important In school life? " 2. Should you have homework? £ 3. Should boys share household tasks?: 4. What type of clothes do you think.\ 5 are best for school? 5. Should boys and girls have hobbies? The best short paragraphs expressing your opinions on any of the abovd subjects will be printed in next Saturday's Ring. :

"3iriocked ribbing," for there are so marif keen knitter* among Ring members. ' ' "Water Nymph," tower Hutt—A busy .programme Indeed. I wonder what Audrey- of -thelighthouse would think of.* it.: And I wonder what she sees from the top of those 300 steps. •■ - - .-. ..:'-::;;v.y;.-,: ; .,r' v - :.• .. ..■•:■.:' "Baby Bubbles." HaWera.~-I, think you made a mistake in addressing youi; envelope, Lorraine, but! have found ""Wendy" for you and have cent .your letter ' oh- its way.' ' "Joy Germ," Mlrahiar.—What a bright.garden it will be, Ngaire. Mignonette; will bring fragrance to it. Thank .you for. your, story. "Pan," Karorl.—l like your spring story of the "White-eyes," Lesley. Top marks for writing in lnk,» too. '•; ■ "Honey Queen," Pukerua Bay.—Good news that you liked Bird Page, elf, and I :like the poem you copied so neatly for _m«.^ f .; "Prinwws Pompom," Lower Hutt—The -stpry or Persephone is one of the loveliest "of-all spring legends, Gwen. Do you know the Persephone's picture* ; •. -. '. ; ; ■ ' ■

MYSTIFY A FRIEND

Here's something; thAt will. Ipuzzle your friends! Ask. one: of them to open a book at any page, and choose a word within the first nine lines,:'but not>to go beyond the ninth word dh the-line, should it-contain moi*ei He must multiply the page number by ten, add twenty-five and the number ■of the line, multiply the result by ten, and add the number at which the word stands in the line. Take the book from him and the slip of paper containingthe result of his calculations, then you can point io the chosen word. , This is how you work it out: Sub--tract 250 from his total, and you willfind that the last figure gives the number of the place of the word in the line, the last but one. gives the., number of the line, and the remain^ ing figures give 4he number of the, page. . . .

LETTERBOX NEWS

"We are taking a little girl frorau, Great Britain, and she is going to sleeps in the same room as me." ; :■;.:*. "PEG-O'-MY-HEART" (11), ■- Ngaio. . ' --; ■ • • ' • #.••-■■ -_■...-.- ---"I have two pets, a budgie namecT., Paddy and a cat named Ambrose.^ Paddy is the vainest bird I haveeve^!,", known. He does nothing but kiss him«».^ s self in. his mirror all day, , whil<|." Ambrose sleeps and eats." "'?" ' "TITANIA ROSE" (11)...„ Otaki. ' .':;'.:}

A BALLOON GAME

Play this lively indoor game. There can be any number of ' players—the more the merrier! "Divide^ the 'players into two equal teams.- The teams seat themselves on. .chairs opposite one another, about five feat- apart. - Someone is then selected.tQ. be the referee, and when everyone is ready.,, the referee blows up .a big' balloon, ties'a^pieca of string or cotton around ;it so the air cannot escape, then tosses It in between the two teams. At once everybody begins to hit at the/balloon, trying to pat or push it over the head* of the opposing team. . ' , • As sbbn as this happens,. o£ course* a goal is scored by the team 'that succeeds in sending' the balloon over tfte heads of the opposite team, and the balloon is returned to the referee, who again tosses it in for another tussle. The players are not allowed to ris§, from their chairs during the patting and pushing of the balloon; if anyone does so, then a goal is awarded to the other side.

SMILE AWHILE!

THESE DARK MORNINGS. BUI: What Is your greatest difficulty In-lifef Jack: Trying to sleep while my alarm clock' rings. THE VERY LATEST. A sundial la the old garden had attracted her attention. "What's that curious thing?" she asked." So the working was explained. "This piece standing up la called ifh«-'". gnomon, and It is arranged so that Its shadow-- - cast by the sun tells the time." , ... "How amazing these modern Inventions are,** ! she gasped. "I wonder what they will think of next?" . ANNOYING. He could play the piano, and he knew It. _ But, as usual, the first time he was asked at refused. "Oh, all right; as you Insist," he aald, oa being asked again. "What shall I play?" , o "Just anything you like," replied his friend. "It's only to annoy the neighbours." USELESS. ' Sambo and Rastus were having a little argu«> ~ ment,' • --- "You's just hopeless, Bastus," said Sambo in disgust. "Hopeless, am#l?" queried Rastus. "An* you's just as useless as a parachute-in a sub-"^ marine." . A GREAT HUNTER. . . , . He had just returned from a camolng holl-, „ day abroad. . : "Did you do much hunting?" he was asked. '■* "Rather," lie replied enthusiastically. "W* > had daily hunts for the frying-pan,, the tin- • opener, and a hundred-and-one other things." '"" i