THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 December 1925, Page 18

THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

I promise to smile every time I can, and to chase all the frowns into the dark cave, where the Smile Giant will kill them with his Magic Sword Happiness. My Dear Children,— Are you not excited: to-night? Just look! We fairies know liow to keep secrets. Isn’t this a, lovely picture of the toys you sent for the Gift Clipboard? We all had such fun helping to arrange them on the big table. It Avasi .jolly, too, to- take each t-liing out of the Cupboard and think of the one who had given it. Then the whole 'Castle was sure you would love a photograph, of the gifts, so we called m our photographer—and this is the result, I’m sure many of you will be, -able to see vour own present. At the left-hand corner are all the books and papers. The only thing I am sorry about is that we had to take the photograph nearly three weeks ago (the first batch of gifts was sent away to the hospital then), and the many fine parcels which have been streaming'into the -Castle almost everyday since came too late for the picture. But I may tell- you that these latest gifts were quite, as beautiful and showed just as much work and care on the part of the, Smile- givers as any in the photoorapli. If we had been able to keep everything in the. Cupboard until yesterday, then I know that, our big table could- not have held the lot, and I very much doubt if the. photographer could have found a plate large enough to get everything in.

When the Matron and -Sisters saw the gifts we sent to- the Hawera. Hospital, they told me they wished they were children again, that they might have the treasures for themselves. They were delighted with your work; and the Matron sent the •letter of thanks which is printed below the photograph.

There were far too many things for the children who will be in hospital at Christinas timer—l am sure you will join with me in hoping there may be very few .girls and boys there—but- the Matron savs that other "sick children who come in next year will greatly appreciate a share in the things that may not be needed next week.

But so splendid has been your work for the Cupboard, and so many parcels have come in, by hand, ’bus and mail, that the Matron of the hospital simply couldn’t find use for all the gifts. -So, after we had packed two big boxes for her, my fairies began planning how best to make, use of all that we had. still in the Cupboard. And, I eiseus thought, of a body of ladies in. Hawera called the Women’s. National Reserve. These ladies know of many poor little children not in hospital, so we decided we could not* do better than ask them to accept —from you, my generous ,Smiles —the balance of the gifts. This they were pleased to- do, and elsewhere on the page you will find a letter of thanks from one of the ladies of the National Beserve. T know you feel glad that you have helped to make some little people happy this Christmas.

Christmas, von know, is- the time when, everyone wants to be most kind l and loving. We show our love and. friendliness bv giving. \Ve forget all the'gloom and try to lie happy. Yon have made me vorv i>.licit happier this year because of your smiles aiul letters. I am so gla/l I. asked you to come, and- share the Castle with me.

To night, also, our badge design is ready for you. This will give you plenty to. do. in the holidays.

See, too, here are- the final marks for the- years competitions. I congratulate Ihe winners. Nina and Bcggie, and 1 am pleased with the others, too. They tried. They did. better Mian those who did not enter at all. Next time, however, those who do enter,'stick to it right through.

It is usually unwise to give you more than one extra at a time, and to-night there are several. Well,, it-’s less than a. week off Christmas, and,, since I said we should give at Christmas time, you have been given, extras to-night.

Your schools have closed for the long vacation, and my fairies and I have decided! that, .as many of you will be away for holidays, we shall lock up the Castle and go away, too, for a holiday. Your page will not be published again till February. It is even good for fairies to have a rest sometimes; and during the holidays I want you all to grow big and! strong, so c that you’ll be quite fresh for work when the schools re-open and we re-aSsemble at the Castle on Saturday nights. It would be a good start for our New Year if every Smile —and we have reached a total roll of 200 now were to write me a special holiday letter before the end of January, so that there may be. plenty of work waiting for us when we return, to the Castle. Your letters will be. safely kept at the Star Office until 'Perseus goes along with liis bag to collect them. Now we wish you all a very jolly Christmas and a happy New Year. Your merry friend, THE SMILE, QUEEN.