FOR YOUNG FOLK

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1933, Page 7

FOR YOUNG FOLK

BROWNIES OF OTHER LANDS.

Of course, you all know the Brownies of Now Zealand, who, working 1 or playing, always seem so cheerful and happy. Brownies of other lands, however, are quite different little folk from those we are accustomed to seeing in New Zealand. According to the country in which they live the dresses and even the names differ, for Brownies are essentially English fairies, and naturally that name has no appeal in a foreign land. In France, for instance, they are known as “Jeanettes,/ ' meaning “little Joans/' after Joan of Are, and also “petite ailes" (little wings). In Belgium they are known as “luting" (home imps), while India has a specially charming name for their brownies. They call them “blue birds," meaning “sons of happiness," And just as th,e names differ in foreign countries, so also do the uniforms, and wo find that in the tropics white regulation frocks are worn, although in India khaki is more popular. In northern countries brown and green frocks, rather similar to those of New Zealand, aro favoured. The little Parses “Blue Birds" dress in bhte overalls and caps covered, with gold embroidery, while the Hindu girls wear blue skirts just tipping their toes and tight white jackets. Perhaps prettiest of all are the little Moslem “Brownies," who must indeed look quaint and charming in their blue trousers, white vests and blue embroidered, jackets. But although in foreign lands their ways and customs differ, at heart they are all Brownies, who, in the ■words of the Chief Scout, “regard not differences of class, or creed, or country."

DANDELIONS. “Isn’t it dreadful!" “Whatever can we do?” “What a terrible mistake!" These were some of the remarks you could have heard had you been present in the banquet hall of the Hawtee Fairies. The hall was all decorated elaborately for a huge ball that was to take place, but the Fairies stood in a troubled group, preparations forgotten. A Terrible Mistake had been made. The dainty invitations had all been written out ready to be dispatched to thd Brown Elves. But the invitations had been delivered by accident to the Ragamuffin Fairies, of all fairies! Why! they were the poorest and untidiest pixies in Fairyland. Everyone was talking at once! “Tell them not to come," squeaked one Fairy. “It’s too late," moaned another. “Oh! Whatever can we do?" they all cried. They turned to the Queen. “Oh, dear, I don't’know," she said helplessly. “I suppose we must just make the best of it!" “Low-bred creatures!" “Always untidy!" “They make me shudder!" the outraged Fairies exclaimed hotly. The poor little Ragamuffins were brushing their tattered skirts and polishing their broken shoes. “P’raps they mean to be friends now," whispered one. “Yes, but ..... they are so very proud." “And such pretty dresses!" The Ragamuffins were very surprised and a little scared. However they 1 all set out to the Hawtee Banquet Hall, tattered skirts, brown and threadbare sticking out stiffly, but they all tried to look as if they were not aware of it.; They trooped into the gay hall where the Hawtee fairies stood frowning and unsociable. They welcomed the Ragamuffins stiffly, lifted up their proud noses and drew in their lovely skirts.

The Ragamuffins, painfully aware of dust and tears, crept into any corner, their hearts going down, down, down. They began a dance half-heartedly, the Hawtee Fairies disdainfully staring at the Ragamuffins. One little fairy became so nervous that she trod on a dainty Hawtee foot, and then pandemonium reigned. The Hawtee Fairies stood in an angry, accusing group and hurled cruel names at the miserable Ragamuffins. “Tramps!" “Dirty little creatures!" “Untidy things! Look at their frocks!"

The Ragamuffins stood ashamed and piteous, drab and untidy before their dainty accusers. They stood, ready to burst into tears, when a voice cried: "Ho! What is this!” Dame Nature strode into the hall.' The Hawtee Fairies grew white and tearfully pleaded for mercy. It was no use. She smiled upon the little Ragamuffins, then turned a cold face upon the Hawtee Fairies. "Cruel, proud creatures," she said. ‘‘ Go nay, I will banish you from the land.” A wave of her arm, and where the Hawtee Fairies had been, crawled wrinkled, brown spiders. They had paid for their arrogance. But the Ragamuffins' stiff, tattered skirts were now molten gold, and their stockings were translucent green. They swayed in mellow splendour, their tiny faces transfigured with joy. Then they turned, and, like a golden cloud, fluttered down to earth. Now the Ragamuffins smile in every 1 field, flecking the green with dandelion gold, the very essence of joy. Blobbe: "Yes; he’s a good actor, but he’s eccentric.’’ Slobbs: "In what way.’’ Blobbs; "He admits there are other actors just as good as he is.”