THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 June 1925, Page 16

THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

I promise to smile every time I can, and t-o cliase all the frowns into the dark cave, where the Smile Giant will k'R them with his Magic Sword Happiness. Dear Children, — Skipping is in. Did you know? In all these bleak, bitter c-old days, we have needed some extra exercise, mid this was chosen. We found it excellent practice for games, too, and now we don’t get out of breath so easily. You just try it, boys and girls, especially the boys who play football. Our friend—but no, I fear some of you won’t want to c-all him friend now—Mr. Wind has been exceeding the speed limit lately, bv riding along at such a furious rate. He’s been very unkind, too. He raced round the Castle walls, and whistled, moaned, roared, and sighed at the doors and windows, demanding that we let him in. In such a cruel mood as he was, we had to prohibit him from entering. Why he is like this Ave cannot tell. When Ave tried to open a door, to go outside, he pushed so hard against it that it was most difficult to get the dooi open at all. Then, he could not Avnit for us to close it. He slammed it in such a rude manner, making a bang that gave us all headaches. Even outside he Avas most rough and. cruel and bIeAV in our faces, and pushed us back as AA'e A\-alkecl. As I went outside to A T isit a little girl, he fairly carried me there, but not gently. He shook some houses as though he Avere an earthquake. He has been much too boisterous. A council has been set up among the fairies to see if Mr. Wind can be - tamed. So far no one has managed to curb his Avildness, or eA’cn to\ keep him tied up. He breaks all bonds. He is just like some big boys who do not knoAv lioav strong they are, and Avhose play is too rough for the younger children. I wonder Avliy he is so stormy ! Again a Smile has asked me AA’hen niv birthday is, and again I 11 explain; but. a little more fully this time. I haA 7 e a birthday party every year. No! No! No! You’d never guess. Our seasons became jealous, because I used to favour one of them; so iioav, I have it in turns. One year I haAre my party in Spring, the next year in Summer, then follows Winter’s turn, and the next year I have it in Autumn. It’s never on the same day. month or season like yours are. If I Avere to bold my birthday always in June —I’m saying "if”—then Winter Avould bring all her friends to the Castle, and the other three seasons Avould be so busy somewhere eflse that they couldn’t come. Noav everyone is happy, for I choose it in different seasons each year—(Avhen I remember). We have the jolliest times listening to the tales told by the seasons, A\-ho have been all over tlie Avorld to different countries. Of course, each season tries to linA'e the greatest number of children’s birthdays in it. ’Tis well they don’t all visit the Castle at once or I fear they’d quarrel. Of course, birthdays should not be times when Ave expect to get. Rather should Ave Avant to give on that day, and try to make some less fortunate person more happy. This is all I may tell. I hope quite a number of you are preparing good essays. ■ Noav I must go. Good-night, all! Yours happily, THE SMILE QUEEN,