A LETTER FROM ALICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 28 September 1940, Page 9

A LETTER FROM ALICE

Dear Boys and Girls, Alice was sun bathing on the bank of the Roding River the other day. She and Taffy had walked up the Dun line and then through the bush down to the river. Taffy is Alice's pal who is almost a bull terrier, but not quite. It was perfeot lying on a warm rock with the sun laughing from a clear piece of sky between two huge birch tree tops, and Taffy was snoozing peacefully on his side.

Alice's eyes wandered round the scene —there was the river; now and then hurrying over a small fall in its bed, and then going more slowly over green crystal clear pools, but always moving on to new places. There was the bush, always growing and struggling to see which tree could grow the highest. There was an enormous piece of clematis on one treetop, which had climbed and grown for over fifty feet before it had thought fit to send out its flowers.

Everything seemed to be growing and getting the best out of life. Then Alice saw on a rock above her, a tiny fern which was trying hard to grow with no soil or shade or anything to help it. But it wasn't discouraged. It had sent out tiny roots everywhere and they explored every niche and crack for food. The whole face of the rock was a network of tiny spidery rootlets, which helped the plant to produce some very small wiry leaves. The sun was beating down on it, and no doubt the frost cut it in winter) but it still went on making the best of its poor home that Nature had provided. So members, if you feel that everyone is having better luck than you are, and you have to struggle hard for every rung on the ladder of life and achievement, don't give up. Remember the tiny fern, who was so unlucky in being born on a hard and discouraging stone, and whose neighbours were all so healthy and happy. Remember that the fern still tried and eventually won through. When the summer drought came, and the bush and the river didn't have everything their own way, they shrivelled and were unhappy. But the little fern who had always had to fight for itself thrived and looked just as pretty as ever.

There were not many entries for the Birthday Competitions members, but I suppose you are all filled with new Spring energy, and can't find time to write. But when you do find time, I am always pleased to get letters from you all. Letters about your garden, or your pet lambs and calves. Or about your school or play. I am always glad to hear about anything. With lots of love till next Saturday from. Your Friend, ALICE.