MICE AND MEN

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 10, 11 December 1931, Page 9

MICE AND MEN

During the World War some English soldiers were returning from the front line along the communication trench. All the conditions of their life at that time, arduous duties, and a heavy frost followed by thaw and the resulting mud, did not seeni to add to their feelings of happiness or tenderness. To cap the climax, they lost their way, and when they found the, trench at last they had to turn about, so that those at the rear became the leaders. As they proceeded wearily in the gathering dusk, they were grateful for one thing at least; the trench, which a week previously had afforded little protection, and was full of mud, had since been dug deeper and was dry. Suddenly, just in front of them, a mouse fell out of a hole in the side of the trench. It was evidently bewildered and astonished to find itself in the open. The soldiers might easily have left it, but those in front saw on the opposite side a corresponding hole. Evidently the recent excavations had made havoc of the mouse’s private passage. So one of the party who carried a shovel, lifted the little creature to the second hole and helped it to enter. Then the soldiers saw another mouse look out of the first hole. The spade was lifted again, and out stepped Mrs. Mouse and two children, with perfect confidence, ready to be carried across to the opposite side where Mr. Mouse was still awaiting them! THE FUNNY SIDE OF THINGS Principal Zones “Johnny,” the geography teacher requested, “name the principal zones.” “The two principal zones, teacher,” replied Johnny, “are the masculine and the feminine. The masculine is the temperate and the intemperate ; the feminine is the frigid and the horrid.” * * * * A Fish Problem A little Australian girl, who had recently commenced school, was one day having lunch with her mother. The mother, who always tried to impress useful facts upon her daughter, said, “These sardines, Dot, are sometimes eaten by the larger fish.” “But, mother, how do they get the tin open?” AFTER THE RAIN Here I go, On tiptoe, Peeking in puddles of rain. The worms are out, Crawling about, They always look the same. But the puddles look Like a picture book, Each one has a different name ! For All of Us Look up, not down ; Look forward, and not back ; Look out, and not in ; Lend a hand. CAN YOU PUZZLE THEM OUT ? A Pocketful of Silver I have £2 15/ in sixpences and halfcrowns. There are twice as many half-crowns as there are sixpences. How many are there of each? Hidden Countries In each of the following sentences the name of a country is hidden, reversed : John has had an accident with his car. It is very easy to convey a wrong impression. A story of buried treasure pleases everybody. The ‘ schoolboy said “My Latin is improving.” I paid ninepence for this book. A cup of tea is sure to make you feel better. [Answers published next week] Answers to Last Week’s Puzzles Times and Chimes. The time in London will be 8.10 p.m. Tuesday, and of course Big Ben will not be striking at all. The Two Brothers. A pair of stirrups.