FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1941, Page 17

FAIRY RING

RONNY'S PUPPY

(Original.)

Ronny had always longed for a j spanioi puppy. He had begged both his mother and his dad but they both said he was too young. Ronny was six, and thought he was quite old enough to have a pup. One day he, was walking down the road home from. school and he saw an old man fall down on the pavement. He ran forward and tried to help the man but found he was not strong enough. ' The small boy looked round desperately. There was no one in sight. Suddenly, the old man spoke to him and struggled to his feet. "O, sir," gasped Ronny, "I'm so glad you are not hurt." "And who might you be, little man?" "I'm Ronny Chester," said the boy. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to run home

now or mummy will be worried. Goodbye." "Good-bye, sonny," said the old man. The next day after Ronny had come from school the door bell rang and there stood the old man. Ronny explained to his mother about the day before and his mother showed the man in. "I have come," he said, "to ask Ronny what he would like most in the world." "0,. sir," said Ronny, "please if mother would let me, could I have a puppy?" His mother gave her permission, so now he is the proud possessor of a beautiful spaniel pup. "MAGGAGS" (11). City. Fairiel Sends . . . "Little Totty," Petone.—A big thank-you for that long letter full of Interesting news. Camping at Piha, with the surf and the beauties of Nlkau Grove close at hand, must hare been a holiday to remember, The Elf and I send you best wishes for that important birthday party. "Nicky," Levin.—Welcome to the Ring, "Nicky." I like the copied poem very much. Will you try to write some verses of your own. It's not really hard when you try. "Saturday's Child," Island Bay.—You are having a busy holiday, Marie, and I'm ever so glad you found a few spare minutes to write the holiday verses. They are very good. "Konlni," Belmont.—Any morning of the week, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, you may visit the King. I suppose your brother has told you all about Scotland In his letters. We envy you your river swimming-pool today. "Sunray Sally," City.—You print nearly as well as printer-man, and quite as well as the Elf's typewriter. Thank-you very much for the story and three drawings. "Dale Arden." City.—No letter in this envelope, but a very Inspiring poem instead. Senior King members will like it as much! as you did, Dale. "Fairy Web," City.—Many happy returns of that last birthday, plxiekin. It was fun to flnd all the sketches of cottages, ships, and water-babies in your letter. Happy holidays at Picton 1 "Silver" Eye," City —Just a glimpse of a green-clad elf and a gipsy-brown face! How is the story coming along, pixiekin? We were glad to see you in the King so early in the day. "Tiny Tinkle," Khandallah.—l think it's a splendid idea. I suppose the grasshoppers have a page of their own, Have you remembered that bright-eyed, sun-loving Mr. Lizard? "Tiooer," Karori.—Good news that you decided to join us, Brian. A warm welcome from the Ring. I have given you the name you chose. "George T.," Roseneath.—We chuckled over the howlers you sent, George. What fun school teachers must have when correcting lessons. Holidays must be dull times for them. "Marie W.," Karori.—Your answers were right, Marie. Even the Elf, who is generally a good puzzle-solver, was stumped for half an hour.

WELCOME TO ... Nancy Hunter (10) Feilding "Nicky" (9) Levin "Tigger" (6) Karori HAPPY LINES HOLIDAYS. (Original.) Holidays are always fun, You lie oa the beach in the blazing sun. You eat icfe-creams or an eskimo pie, While overhead white clouds sail by. On wet days we play inside, There are plenty of places in which you may hide; We like to play at ping-pong and ball. We don't really mind the rain at all. The saddest part of our holiday Is leaving the seaside: going away; But somehow we're always glad to be home, And all of us vow we wil never more roam. "SATURDAY'S CHILD" (13). Island Bay.

:i>o<ki>ci><c>o<><ci>>o<c>^ FAIRY GUNS. , (Copied.) I climbed on to the upland One glad September day; The corn was rip« and golden, The leaves just getting gay. 'Twas very . quiet. up there As I lay on the ground. When suddenly—Pop I pop I pop I pop I I heard a tiny sound. Pop I pop 1 Again I beard it. I thought the fairy folk Must be hiding In the brushwood Shootine at me for a joke. I peered and poked in bushes. At last I found it out— My fairy guns were dry gorse pods. Pop, popping seeds about. Sent by "NICKEY" (9). Levin. THE ELEPHANT. Nature's great masterpiece, an Elephant, The only harmless thing; the giant. Of beasts ; who thought, no more had gone to make one wise, But to be just, and thankful, loath to offend (Yet Nature hath given. him no knees.to bend), Himself he up-props, on himself relies, And foe to none, suspects no enemies, Still sleeping stood; vex't not his fantasie Black dreams; like an unbent bow, carelessly His sinewy Proboscis did remissly lie. e-JOHN DONNE.

Queen Fairiel of Fairyland was givju* a b.l to ceiebrate her bWhday. To the ball she had invited King Pixiel of Pixieland, who was to arrive the day before the great celebration, Everyone in Fairyland was very excited. Each fay did her utmost to earn a little more at her work, so that she might be able to buy one of Sally Spider's new-spun frocks. The little people were indeed very busy, from the break of dawn till twilight. At last the day came for King Pixiel to arrive. The fairies lined the pathway to their Queen's palace, cheering and waving as their guest stepped from | his magnificent coach> clad in scarlet

Picnic Days Are Here

HOLIDAY ELVES: I'm sure that many of you belonged to the mefry band of picnickers this week. Almost every-bus and tramcar we saw on sunny mornings was over-brimming with sun-hatted, smiling little people and picnic baskets of all shapes and sizes . . . very large and bulgy baskets when they went out in the morning, but how limp and light when they were carried home! Down beneath the Ring we could, see the harbour bays dimpling and sparkling in the sunlight, the hills soft and purple against a sky like a fidd of forget-me-nots, and hoiv the Elf and I longed to join the merry picnickers, but we had to stay to welcome our visitors, and that was grand fun, for some of our country elves who are enjoying beach picnics almost every day of the week came visiting at the Ring with city elves whd had lots to tell about their country holidays. We do love having holiday visitors. Perhaps the children who are enjoying these sunny days most of all are the little folk who came all the way from England to be our guests till the war is over. Most of them had seen very little of the sea until, they began their long voyage, and now they are making the most of every minute and are having great fun at parties and picnics. Some of them will be very good swimmers when it is time for them to leave New Zealand, and I'm sure they'll never forget the fun of this summer. Holiday Page is growing, but there is still room for little bits of news, clraivings, and verses. Have you any to send? My love to every elf. FAIRIEL.

Under Suspicion

(An Original School Story by "Joy Germ," 14, Miramar.) IT is the fourth form at St. Clare's, and lessons are in progress, when Miss Jarrett, unpopular mistress, breaks the silence. "Daphne Clayton, please pay attention to your lessons. What are you doing?" snapped Miss Jarrett. "O—er, nothing, Miss Jarrett," stammered Daphne. "Apparently!" replied Miss Jarrett with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "If you were to pay attention to your lessons for a change you would be doing somthing!" Lessons continued without further interruption, until at last the bell for recess rang. Once outside, Daphne was seized.by her chums, Gladys and Margaret. . "What were you doing when Miss Jarrett pounced on you? cried both girls at once. . "I » began Daphne, when there-came a timely interruption from another fourth-former, Rachel by name. "Let's play rounders, girls," exclaimed that worthy. The girls agreed and followed Rachel. Eventually, the bell rang, and the chums raced for their Once in school, lessons proceeded with much the same formality. At last came tea-time, after which the girls were allowed to amuse themselves to their best advantage. Time for bed came at last and they trooped upstairs to their dormitories. , Silence descended like a cloak. Ten o'clock struck, then eleven. Then came a faint stir in the dormitory occupied by the fourth form. A figure rose from' her bed and, slipping on a dressing-gown and slippers, tip-toed silently across the room, opened the door, and went outside. Once outside, she went silently downstairs and across the hall in the direction of Miss Jarrett's study. Suddenly the light was switched on, disclosing an irate Miss Jarrett and a confused Daphne. , "Daphne!" snapped Miss Jarrett. "What is the meaning of this—this midnight escapade." . . "O—er, I had toothache, and so I came downstairs to get something for it," replied Daphne. "And I suppose you can get something for your—er—toothache in my study," sarcastically replied the mistress. "No, Miss Jarrett. I couldn't see very well m the dark, so I mistook your study for matron's room," said Daphne a little less confusedly. This reply seemed to satisfy the mistress, who said, "Well, hurry up and get what you want and go back to bed." This done, the school was wrapped in silence once more. , Next morning the girls were assembled in their desks, awaiting the arrival of Miss Jarrett, who, for once, was late. Eventually her footsteps were heard and she entered the room. ~.'.,- jj. , "Girls!" she snapped. "Someone entered my study last night and took some of the examination papers which I had prepared for your use. Would that person please stand up." Not so much as a whisper greeted this request. "Well, I am waiting," impatiently declared Miss Jarrett. "Piease, Miss Jarrett, I saw Daphne Clayton go out of the dormitory last night—perhaps she could tell you," simpered the form sneak, Irma. A buzz of talking greeted this statement, during which Daphne jumped to her feet, crying, "O, it's not true! It's not true!" "Daphne, come out here," thundered Miss Jarrett. "Did you touch those papers during your midnight escapade?" "No, it's not true!" cried Daphne. "Go to my study at once and wait for me there," snapped Miss Jarrett. Just then the headmistress, Miss Burton, entered the room. "O, there you are, Miss Jarrett. "I have brought back the examination papers which I borrowed from your room last night. I hope you don't mind," said Miss Burton. "O by the way, I believe this belongs to you, Daphne, but dont let me catch you at it again, or there will be severe punishment," continued Miss Burton, handing Daphne a sheet of paper. "'Well, good-mornmg, girls. So saying, the headmistress left the room. ' "I think I owe you an apology, Daphne, for assuming you took those papers. I hope all is forgiven," said Miss Jarrett confusedly. "O, that's all right," happily replied Daphne. Later out in the playground, when asked by her chums what it was that Miss Burton gave her. Daphne replied: "It was a none too complimentary caricature of Miss Jarrett, the cause of all the trouble. I put it in my exercise book and it must have got mixed with the examination papers when Miss Jarrett was marking it. "Well, all's well that ends well. Come and play rounders!" laughingly declared Daphne.

THE BIRTHDAY BALL

(A Story for Little Folk, by "Water Nymph," 13, Lower Hutt.

and gold robes, which glinted and *«£ »>£«£*». M a] es«y was Ag Q ueen Fairiel stepped from the palace doorway to greet the Pixie King there was a storm of clapping. Next day, the fairies rose very early to do their work and be dressed for the feasting, which commenced that morning. Scores of fairies flocked to the great hall of the palace. Musicians, dancers, entertained the visitors, That evening, the whole town took part in the dancing which was held in the village fairy-ring. They danced till midnight, and then rested on mushrooms, to refresh themselves with pollen cakes, and honey nectae, j

THE RUNAWAY : (Original.) Hoppity Rabbit jumped out of bed. It was just sunrise, and the country looked exciting. Very quietly, so as^ not to wake his brothers and sisters,:, ~ he crept out of .the front door. Things, were just beginning to wake. A brqwA: hare shot by, and thus very happily. Hoppity wandered away. By and byhe began to think that it was time he; went back for the nice, juicy lettucesleaves that he knew his mother had-, for breakfast. 5 But when he turned back he found: that he had not the faintest idea iv which direction home was. He gave a little whimper, for he wag very. young, and then he began to walk. His: feet were sore and tired when he earner": to a lettuce patch, where he sat downand ate until he could eat no more*: Then he ran on. ? '

But soon Hoppity lay flat under th»; grass, for he heard the clumping stepai.J that meant—humans! A hand reached, down and poor little Hoppity was put. into a large basket. His heart thudded; painfully all the way, and after what: seemed an eternity he was placed in., the lap of a little lame girl called": Erwynne. She petted him and sooa.. he became quite tame, and she,, who before was listless and apathetic," was roused to new happiness. Hoppity is grown fat, placid, and happy now, and Erwynne is happy,., too, but back on the moorland a lonely mother rabbit waits ever for the Hop-; pity who will never come back. "LADY OF THE CLOUDS" (12). r Kelburn. ... An Answer To " "English Rose." Newtown.—Another mornlna.i visitor! The Elf and I are very glad.., you are coming to see us again. We hope r you are having a really grand holiday wlta your little friend. . ■- "Nancy H.," Feildlng.—Are you enjoying your; visit to Wellington, Nancy? You'll love your visit to the Zoo and I'll look forward, to hearing all about it next time you comavisiting. ' -■ C "Mother Bear," Lower Hurt.—Your idea for *' holiday heading is good, dear, but your., drawing and lettering are not quite up to standard. We like .your summery little' sketch printed in the Ring tonight. "Lassie," Kelburn.—Moonshine Cottage surelysounds enchanting and there must be many • Ideas for stories and verse pictures In Its/ lovely, surroundings. Happiest of New Years to you. "Spring Bud," Upper Hutt.—-"Round the bays" is everybody's favourite drive, I think. What.: a happy afternoon you-had. I hope tonight'?; request brings you-a penfrlend. "Squeaker," Lower Hutt—Was old Egmont wearing his-snowy cap while you were there? I'm sure you enjoyed bathing In the surf at Opunake Beach. "Father Bear," Lower Hutt—What a grand holiday it must have been. Sis children can have happy times together. Were you staying on a farm? "Blue Veil," City.—Yes, of course you may come in the morning. Any morning of the week for holiday people. "Homeless Hedgie," Khandallah.—l think most pixies of the Bing know the Pippin Hill verses, Hedgie. We were pleased to find your letter in the letterbox. Are you enjoying the holidays ? "Patricia X.," Lower Hutt.—You forgot to ask mother or father to sign your original story, Pat. That is a rule of the Ring for all storymakers. I like the tale of the fir tree very much. "Mirabell," City.—No wonder you are longing to wear the new scarlet bathing suit. Perhaps you went to the beach this week for the Elf and I saw ever so many picnickers setting out with their baskets. A PENFRIEND PLEASE Doreen Askew, \ Main Road, Upper Hutt, asks for aVpenfriend between ten and twelve years old. Dofeen is nine years old, but. is a good writer for her age. Her hobbies are swimming and cycling. PUZZLE CORNER I

IS YOUR NAME HERE? Anna means "grace." . . Alma means "kindly maiden." ■ ■ - Amy means "beloved." ■-- Allan means "cheerful." Albert means "nobly bright." ""■■■ Ewan means "young warrior." Evelyn means "hazel nut" or "pleasant." - Harry means "home ruler." . ■ Gwyune means "white." Helen means "a torch." .- ~ Mabel means "mirth."

Draw a bowl (A) on one side of a 3-Enoh -- , square of card and a goldfish (B) on the " . other. Attach string to the edges, twirl i the card, and see the fish in the bowL xr I PUZZLE ANSWER. '"^ Boys' Name Puzzle.—Arnold, Roland, Ronald*, ■ ■. ■ -. s ; CAN YOU GUESS ! -i ' What kind of tables do we cook and eatt-V Vegetables. - .' Why is the end of "G" never short—-Beeaue*' it ends "long." Why la the letter "F" like a banana sMnf —Because they both' make all fall. What is smaller than the mouth of the smallest germ?— The things it-eats. What is full of holes yet holds water? A 7 eponge. ..."... , -^ ' —From "LADY OP THE CLOUDS" (UJ. Kelburn, H -