BETTY’S VISIT TO STORY BOOKLAND,

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 16

BETTY’S VISIT TO STORY BOOKLAND,

(By Marjorie Benton, Whareroa.) Little Betty lay fast asleep on her cosy bed —she was dreaming about Storybook Laud and its people. ' “Oh, I do wish I could visit Storybook land.” she said to herself. “Oh do you?” said a little voice. ■ Betty looked round, but she could not see anyone, when suddenly she felt something jump on to her chin. She then looked down and she saw to her surprise a tiny wee man as big as your thumb sitting on her chin. “Who, who are you?” exclaimed Betty. "Don’t you know who I am?” said the little man. “I don’t think I do,” said Betty. “Well, if you want to know,” said the wee man, "I am Tom Thumb, His Majesty’s Chief Guard of Honour, and ■ P °“ Really,” said Betty, in an awed voice. , . “Of course I am,” said Tom Thumb. But now for business,” said he. "Her Majesty, the Queen of Hearts sent me on this errand to bring you on a visit to Storybook Land. "Do you really mean'it? Oh, say you do!” said little Betty with cheeks tiusked, eyes glowing, full of excitetueiit. 1i Of course X do 3 s&id tlic little man. "Now close your eyes,” said he while I count three, then when I have said three open your eyes and you will find vourself in Storybook Land.” She immediately shut her eyes. "One, two, three. Now open your eyes,” said Tom Thumb. Betty to her astonishment, foundherself in a lovely green meadow, shaped like a book, and on its surface little pink and white daisies -rrow. In the distance there loomed a beautiful palace that shone like jewels, and as the sun’s warm rays beat down upon it its splendour dazzled Betty'’s do you think of Storybook Land?” asked Tom Thumb. "It is simply beautiful,” exclaimed Bettv. Meanwhile Tom Thumb was leading Betty towards the palace. "Who lives in the palace, Tom Thumb?” "The King and Queen,” was the reply. . , As they drew nearer Betty spied throe bears chasing a little girl with golden curls. "Why there is Goldilocks and the three bears,” said Betty gleefully; “and there is Red Riding Hood talking to the wicked wolf,” she exclaimed. ‘And why Ido declare there is Little Boy Blue sound asleep under the haystack.” By now they had reached the palace gates. The guards at the gate silently opened them. Tom Thumb then led Betty through, who then found herself in a beautiful court, with peacocks strutting about waving their glorious plumage in the air. Fountains were playing, and in some unseen place divine music swelled through the air, beautiful notes rose, then dimmed, then came sad music, thou joyful, which fairly took Betty’s breath away. "Is it not beautiful,” she said softly. Tom Thumb now escorted her into the palace. They slowly wended their Way through beautiful state rooms, and at last they halted at a room seemingly of great importance, for 'guards were patrolling up and down. "This is the throne room,” whispered Tom Thumb. "Enter in the name of the king,” said the guards at the door. Tom Thumb and Betty then made their way into the great room. At the far end was the throne, and who should the King and Queen be but "Old King Cole” and the "Queen of Hearts.” Old King Cole’s fiddlers, pipers and dm miners three were playing him a merry tune: his fat, jolly old face was wreathed in smiles as ho listened to, it. Tom Thumb led Betty up to the throne. "The Queen of Hearts” and "Old King Cole” then said, "Welcome to Storybook Land little mortal.” "Thank you, Your Majesties,” said little Betty,* bowing to each. At that moment Jack Frost entered the room and said to the Queen, "Please your Majesty, one of the guards at the door said he didn’t want me to come to the feast this afternoon because I would make it too cold for everyone, and unconseiouslv everybody drew their coats closer around them. "Of course you can come,” said the Queen, "as long as you do not make it too cold.” "Thank you so much,” said Jack Frost, kissing the Queen’s hand. The Queen now' turned to Betty and began talking to her. Betty then told tlie Queen all she knew about the land she lived in. The King and Queen listened altentively, and just when Betty had finished the door opened and in marched Simple Simon to announce that the banquet was ready. The King and Queen now showed Betty into the banqueting hall, where she beheld a suinptttous repast. The Queen now took Betty’s hand and led her to the largest table. The chairs round it were made of pure gold and on the glistening surface precious stones w'ere studded. The banquet nowbegan. Around all the tables the people of Storybook Land sat —Cinderella and her handsome prince were there; One Eyes, Two Eyes and Three Eyes were there; the mad hatter and the dormouse were there, and a host of others. The King of the Golden River came and filled up Betty’s cup full of wine; and, in fact, a number of the Storybook Land people tried to fill it up, but this Betty would not allow. The King’s Chief Ministers of the land made speeches in honour of Betty, and not until Betty had replied in a few words did the people become quiet. After the banquet the King and Queen introduced Betty to their people, who then took her *to one of the state rooms. The Storybook people now began telling Betty instances of their lives, familiar to Betty, which she revelled in. After spending an enjoyable. evening, filled with mirth, music and song, Betty thought it wms lime to take her departure for home again. At last she singled out Tom Thumb, her first companion, -who quickly took her to the King and Queen to sav good-bye. The King shook hands with her and the Queen kissed her on the left cheek. Their Majesties then commanded Betty to visit them again, for which Betty thanked them very much. A,ll the Storybook people cried out good-bye, and as Tom Thumb and Betty were about to leave them, the strains of a farewell song bid them another good-bye. All of a * sudden Betty woke up. Where was'she? Why there she was lying on the floor with all the bed clothes. I must have tumbled off the bed she said to herself as she gathered up the bod clothes.