THE WONDERFUL WITCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 21 July 1944, Page 3

THE WONDERFUL WITCH

A TALL FOR THE TIMES Do you know what to do when you lose something and you look and look and can’t find it anywhere? Go and tell the wonderful witch who lives just over the hill all about it. and perhaps she will find it for you. In case you don’t know her. 1 will tell you what she is like. She is very, very old. and lives all alone in her little house except for her pet canary. She is dressed, as a witch should be. in a bright red cloak and a tall black hat, and her nose is as red as a berry. You may meet her one day when you are out for a walk, for all day long she flies about on her broomstick, looking for things that are lost. . One day. not long ago. Mary and Billy went to see her. You see, their pussy, which they loved very much, had gone out one night, and the next morning it had not returned, and the poor kittens were crying because they felt so lonely, and everyone felt very sad indeed. But Mary and' Billy knew about the wonderful witch, so as soon as they could they went to se her. *T am sure she will find our pussy,” said Mary, as she climbed the hill. “She is a most wonderful person.” When they got to the house they told her all about it. and how glad they would be to have their pussy back again. “Leave it to me!” said the witch, as she jumped on her broomstick and away she flew. She went a long, long way. and flew here and there, but she could not see the poor lost pussy. So at night, when she could see no longer, she returned to her little house. “You have been a long time,” sang the canary, “and haven't you found pussy yet?” "I have looked in every place where I think pussy could be,” answered the witch. ’•Have you been to the royal palace?” said the canary. “It might have got in there.” “Nonsense!” answered the witch. “Who heard of a cat in the royal palace?” "But you never know where cats do go,” said the canary. “It might have got in without anyone seeing it.” So next morning the witch set off once more. Away she flew, until she got near th° royal palace. ”1 wonder if the soldier on guard will let me through?” she said to herself, as she slid off her broomstick. And she was just going to ask him when what do you think she saw coming towards her? Why, the cat, walking out of the door and down the steps! Nearer she came, and walked right out under the soldier’s nose, and he said never a word Perhaps he knew the Queen wouldn’t mind. “Well, well!” said the witch. "So I have found you at last. Wherever have you been? You had better come with me as quickly as you can, for they are all waiting for you at home." So the two of them got on*the broomstick. “I shall have such a lot to tell them when I get back.” said pussy, “for I have seen the Queen! And what'do you think I found under her chair? A bi> fat mousie. Look!” she mewed, as she held up her head, and there in her mouth was a big fat mousie!

Mary, Billy and the kittens were glad to see pussy home again, and it was all because the canary told the witch and the witch went to find her.