The FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 13

The FAIRY RING

DEAR PIXIES: How would you like to be real reporters? Many Ring People, boys and girls, have told me that when they grow up they want to be writers. Many of our best-known authors have started out as reporters, you know. This week I want you to play the game of "Let's Pretend." Imagine you are really a reporter and write a small newspaper report for your competition entry. You may choose any subject you wish. The boys will probably write about an imaginary fire, a robbery, or a sports match, and the girls may prefer a garden party, a descriptive paragraph, or a fashion show. These are only a few of the subjects open to you, and I am sure you can think of more original ideas for your reports. Think out your own headlines and try to follow the newspaper style as far as possible by making'your very first lines interesting and using as few words as possible. Entries must not be longer than 250 words, and all names of places and people must be imaginary. Don't you think it'll be rather fun? Letterbox Elf wants to know if he can enter for it this time, but I hope he'll be far too busy interviewing the postman ... which reminds me that yout entry may be an interview, if you feel clever enough. Good luck to you all, and you will remember to pop your letters into the post-box quite early in the week, won't you! FAIRIEL.

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Fairie! Sssids an Answer t0... "Pip," Heretaunga.—Did It happen in England . . . your camping adventure? The word "village" made me wonder. Soon it will be time to pitch tents again. "Merrymaker," Upper Hutt.—A poem of a fountain and a drawing in the letterbox at the same moment! I'm afraid there won't be space for the sketch, though. "Love-in-a-Mist," Haywards.—lt must have been a very jolly all-day party . . . and what a novelty the hose-shower instead of a swim! "Granny Bonnet," Hataltal. —Did you know that you left Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andrew on my desk? I'll look after them till your. next visit. Good drawing, elf. I'd like you to try a silhouette sketch next. o a « "WELCOME TO ..." Beverley Crone . Day's Bay "Tuppenny Pie" (9) Khandallah a a a "Beverley C" Day's Bay.—Did the dandelion clock strike your birthday year . . . 'cos you quite forgot to write it btside your name. Welcome to the Uins. Beverley. I hope you'll join in our competitions. "Tupenny Pie," Khandallah.—So now you are a really proper member with a pen-name, j Jean. Are you quite well a,?ain, nirdslrin? Of course, I never forget my Ngaliau School pixies. "Genevieve," Kllbirnie. —No 'yonder you still remember that adventure, elf. The pigs must have seemed monsters at close quarters. In the story, "Avenged," I think you have confused Indian with African tribes. "Saturday's Child," Island Bay.—A disasU-cus day indeed! I hope it didn't spoil the rest of the holidays. What a high percentage to score in the examinations I Good work, lass. "Moongleam," Hataital.—So many moves . the class must have been olayin^ "Family Coach." What interesting lessons you tiavs. You'il have to make a special effort to pull ahead with your next essay marks. Thank you for that long, jhatty -letter. "Sunray Sally," Thorndon.—Tour drawlutf ;,en excelled itselt this week. "The Fairy News" is one of our very best Ring effort::. it was exciting to read all about the concert. Letterbox Elf and 1 would have liked it tremendously. "Southerly Buster," Johnson vi lie.—l'm sure your paragraph will bring memories of tlrsl switchback rides to many Uing peoul-j. A very good entry from this mushroom. Love to all the Busters. "Southern Star," Berhampore.—Just as well Letterbox Elf has a magic memory for handwriting. Do you know that you forgot to sign name, pen-name, or address! A good entry, lan. but remember the one-sidp-of-the-paper rule. "Bush Elf," Silverstream. —1 have noticed (fiat most red-letter days happened during holidays so soon you'll be adding to happy list. Are there, camping plans for December/ "Shimmer," Silverstream. —We make this'scrapbooks for little people in hospital, fay. Save all the brightest pictures, cards; or clippings you can, then paste th6m into a used drawing book to cover the pencil drawings. An outer covering of wallpaper, an.l your scrapbook. is ready]

TWO SIMPLE GIFTS

Here are two simple gifts for you to make with felt or suede. You may decorate them with your own designs in flowers or letters.

The calling card case shown in the illustra-. tion is made' of suede leather and is laced with suede thongs. It is very easy to make, since it consists simply of two pieces of leather cut to the shape shown and laced together. Measurements are governed by the size of the calling cards which the rase is intended to hold.

THE COMB CASE

The comb case illustrated is very simple to make, since it consists only of two pieces of leather cut to the proper shape and laced together. Suede is a good type of leather to use for such a case and it can be laced with suede thongs. Tou may find it difficult to procure leather, but old felt hats can be made to serve the purpose. Cut them in halves and press with a damp cloth before cutting out the pieces needed.

The size of the case will depend upon the size of the comb. To fit most pocket combs, the case will measure about oln long and l%in wide. Initials tooled on the leather make an attractive decoration.

POINTS-WINNERS,

Points were won this week by the following Ring members:—"Southerly Buster" (13), 9 points; "Genevieve" (13), 8 points; "Southern Star" (10), 8 points; "Water Nymph" (14), 8 points; "Bush Elf" (12). "Love-in-a-M/st" (10). and "Saturday's Child" (14), 7 points; "Pip" (12), 6 points. Next week's subject is "An Imaginary Newspaper Report." See Fairiel's letter.

THE FIRST GLOVE-MAKERS

The first skilled glove-makers were monks of the Middle Ages. In 790 Charlemagne granted to the abbots and monks of Sithin, in ancient. France, the right of hunting the deer for skins to make gloves.. Glove-making was established as an industry in France 'in the 12th century.

LETTER-BOX NEWS SPRING BLOSSOMS. "The flowers of the Prunus Plum tree are being replaced by beautiful red-brown leaves, AH the tiny red buds on the Virginia creeper, which grows on the house,, are beginning to open out into lovely little green leaves. Our two nectarine trees are covered /Vtih bright pink blossom, wHile; a bush outside my bedroom window is covered with bright yellow flowers. Its name is Forsythia. I have, some branches of flowering, currant in my bedroom and the dark and pale pink flowers, the green leaves, and brown stems look really beautiful against the cream wallpaper." | "BUSH ELF" (12), j Silverstream. ■ / • . "' " THE CLOTHES-LINE REVELLERS. "Have you ever noticed on a rainy day how the raindrops play on the clothes-line? One day I was looking out of the window; when our slanting clothes-line caught my eye. It was covered with raindrops all in a row. They were whizzing down the line one after another. How I wished to be inside one." "FAIRY VIOLETTA." Karori. • . ..' : : "Today we drove out to Day's Bay, where it was lovely in the sunshine. We had a close view of a native pigeon. I had never seen .a. real one before." . "POM POM" (13). Island Bay.

DAYS WE REMEMBER

ON THE "SWITCH-BACK."

"One incident which I will never forget was a ride on the switchback railway at the Centennial Exhibition. It was the last day of the Exhibition when I managed to pluck up enough courage to try the railway. I remember clearly when the car I was sitting in started to move. A thrill went up and down by back. Horrors! The car had reached the top of the first hill and was gathering speed as it swooped downwards. One of my greatest fears was that the car could not have got up enough speed to be able to get to the top of the next incline, therefore running backwards. (Of course, it could not happen.) Every time the car dived down my stomach jumped to my throat or vice versa. I had been advised to scream, but when I tried no sound would come. I tried again but only a thin whisper would come. I found it hard to keep seated at such a speed. Every now and then I found myself standing up gasping for breath. lam sure I have never held a handle as I did then. The perspiration ran off my hands. I thought the bottom part of the ride was worse, as it made me feel seasick or airsick, whichever you like. At last the nightmare came to an end, but when the car stopped and I stepped out I could hardly stand. My legs wobbled, my hair stood on end, my head felt dizzy, and I felt a perfect wreck. As I was recovering my breath I watched other merry-makers go through the same nerve-racking experience as I had had."

"SOUTHERLY BUSTER" (13), Johnsonrille,

bed the following day. For many days afterwards I fancied I could smell the piggery."

"GENEVIEVE" (13), Kilbirnie,

A VISIT TO WONDERLAND

"Slowly along a narrow, bumpy, stony road a small car travelled. As father drove carefully along I peered out of the window at the surrounding bush-clad hills which reared their proud heads against the blue sky. ' Presently we joined a small party of tourists who were also going to visit the Waitomo Caves. After walking some way through the bush,'still dripping from the recent rain; the guide who was leading stopped and unlocked an arched door. This was the larger of the two caves we were to visit. It was called Aranui by a Maori who followed a wild pig to Its lair In that cave. 'This Is called the butcher's shop,' the guide said. As our. gaze followed .his hand we saw with wonder, meat, sausages, and plucked chickens hanging from the roof. I All these were formed from solid limestone. As we continued, our wonderment increased at the beauty of the delicately-made stalagmites and stalactites. Everything was lighted, by hidden lights of various colours. Our journey through the Aranui cave over, we went on to the- glowworm . cave, which was very different from the first. The roof was quite dry. the surface smoother, and there were not so many limestone formations. At last.we came to a small platform past which an underground river flowed. After being cautioned not to make any noise we stepped softly into a boat whichawaited us. As we glided through the water by means of ropes, we gazed at the glow warms which adorned the ceiling of the cave. As I snuggled down between the sheets that night I thought 'A perfect end to a perfect day.'" " ■ . —"SOUTHERN STAR" (10), Berehampore.

ARRANGE THESE PAIRS

A VISITOR AT "THE PIGGERY."

"When I was a small girl I ■went with my mother for a holiday to a farm. One morning I arose early and went with the farmer, who was my uncle, to watch the animals being fed. First we went to the pig-sty,, and, after watching the pigs, I went.with Uncle to feed the other animals. Before long I found myself back at the pigsty. The little pigs' grunting seemed to fascinate me; so I climbed on to the surrounding fence to watch them eating. Suddenly. I missed my footing and went tumbling into the sty amid the snorts of the pigs. There I stayed for a time, crying when the pigs came grunting towards me. At last a farm hand came, and picked me up out of the pen. Once inside he gave me in charge of my mother who washed me and tucked me up in bed. Having received a shock I stayed in

In this drawing there are eighteen parts of nine familiar objects, and the problem is to identify them and link' them up. As an example, I and 16 show the spout and handle of a teapot, so the answer should be written as: 1 and 18; Teapot. Can you see how the rest of the parts should be joined in this way? All the objects are Included in this fist: Banjo, candlesticks, fountain-pen, frying-pan, hot-water jug,, mandolin, mop, opera-glasses, screwdriver, shaving-brush, teapot, telephone, telescope, tin-opener, toasting-fork.