THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 December 1927, 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 Doav Smiles,- — 1 don’t think I need three guesses to know what you are all looking forward to these holidays. It’s the healthy summer sport, swimming, isn’t it? I wonder if there are many Smiles who can’t swim. If so, I think you should all resolve to learn this summer, because it is not only the most enjoyable of sports, but it is probably one of the healthiest of exercises. The best and easiest way to learn is to start in the winter on land. Do swimming drill every morning in the fresh air; that is, stand very erect with your hands drawn in towards your chest, then shoot them out directly in front of you and complete a sweeping circle with your arms until they come in direct line, with your shoulders. The main thought when doing this is that you must breathe correctly, "through your nose. and out through vour mouth while your arms are in motion. Next exercise :* Lie flat on the floor and work your legs like a frog. Then when summer comes all you want is plenty of confidence in the water and by the aid of these strokes you will soon be able to swim. • ■ If you are ever bathing with timid boys and girls who can’t swim well, please remember that you are Smiles and help them to enjoy their bathe. If you commence to duck them they will become alarmed and dislike the water, and - probably you, too. Wbat we want to do is make everyone love the water, so that they will look on it in a friendly, homely fashion—then if we are all perfectly at home in the water there will be less chance of accidents. Now, before I cease talking about swimming, I would like to leave one thought with you. Have you ever thought of the colour of the ocean and the river? What a lovely blue they are! And as you take your dip, look up to the sky—bluer than ever with masses of white clouds. Smiles, blue stands for truth and white for purity, and your Smile Queen likes always to think of her Smiles as pure and truthful as the blue of the ocean and the heavens. Only one more week before I send prizes to those who write me the best letters on their ideas of the best way to spend Xmas. Do all write; I should like our Christmas mail to be a record one. Much deep affection, From your loving * SMILE QUEEN.