SUNBEAMS' COLUMN

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 293, 11 October 1922, Page 12

SUNBEAMS' COLUMN

Dear Sunbeams,—l wonder if it is any use asking you to write some little letters, just to tell us if you like 'the '•Corner" better now than you did befeore? "We shall "be glad to ( hear your opinions about it, so get busy with your pens. Love and Good Thoughts from MUM. *'*■■* * AN INDIAN LOVE STOKY. The story of Jehangir, Emperor of Mogul, and Narjahau is one of the best known romances of Old India. He was called "Conqueror ol' the World"; she, his only beloved, was known as "Light of the World." Prince Salin, as he was known during his father's lifetime, belonged to one of the most illustrious lines in the East, and when he was a very young man, while wandering one day in Ms father's beautiful garden; suddenly came upon little Mihr-ur-Nissa. She was only a child, nor yet veiled (you know all the Eastern .women have to wear veils when they are grown-up), and although of good family, not of royal blood. Prince Salim was carrying two orange-eyed doves, and, tired of holding them, he thrust them into the girl's hands.

"Hold my birds," he commanded, and wandered on. He returned a few minutes later to find that one had escaped. "Fool!" he said sharply, "how did you let the other go?" The girl flushed at his tone, and flung- up her head. "So, my lord," &he answered, and opened her hands, letting- the other bird go free. ' Prince Salim looked at her a moment in astonishment, then smiled, and from that moment he wished to make her his wife. His father, however, would not allow the match, and had the girl married to one of his nobles, Sher-Arkan. (You know, Sunbeams, the girls o£ India become brides at a ridiculously early age.) For fourteen years Prince Salim waited, and then when his father died and he became the Emperor Jehangir, one of his first acts was to have Sher-Arkan murdered. ( Those were the bad old times, Sun-beams;-but I am afraid the same thiug could happen now in India, Vα spite of the religion we are supposed to have, taught these princes.) Narjahan was very angry, and for six years she refused to s&e the Emperor or to accept any pension from the hand of her husband's murderer. She lived upon what she made by her exquisite -embroidery-

And then Jehaugir's great love pre-; vailed. She received him dressed in the simple white she had always worn' as a widow, and shortly afterwards they were married. Until the end of his life she was his .good genius, and she was by his side when, worn out and weary, he breached his last among the purple iris fields of Kashmir. Do you think he deserved such a good wife, Sunbeams? I don't; but, after all, he was no worse than King David, whom we are taught to revere. *'**.# A CLETER DONKEY, It was a very hot day, and the don--key stood in his stable, and longed to be out on the Common. He knew a corner where the grass was long and juicy. H© was a very clever donkey, but he saw no way of getting out.

] By-and-bye, Nellie- and Maud came into the yard. Maud was a visitor. They were planning to get Neddy out and rido him round the yard. Neddy , laid one ear forward and listened to them, and he laid one back and thought his own thoughts. . • Nellie led him. out and put on " a bridle. When he strapped it Neddy coughed violently. "Oh, you've buckled it too tight. He is choking," said Maud. Neddy smiled inside him. Then he had to walk round and round tho yard, and the girls rode in turn. It was rather dull for everybody. Neddy stopped at the gate. "Let us go out; he is so quiet,"" said Maud. Once outside Neddy shook him sel J hard from liead to tail. The bridle "fell off, Maud fell off, and, kicking up his heels, Neddy galloped away. Now ■ he could get ihis long, juicy grass.