FOR THE CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN.

THE WOOD-CUTTER'S DAUGHTER. A long, long time ago, in a /dreary, forest far away, there lived a happy woodcutter with his wife and their only daugl# ter Elsa. , * ; . Elsa usually accompanied her lather to tße forest,' but one day her , mother kept her at home so that she could take to him her father's mid-day meal. While she was gaily trotting along she was suddenly attracted by a small mannikin dressed all in black, coming toward her. He nodded in friendly fashion to her, but~for alThis friendliness Elsa could see that he was in trouble. After inquiring what was the matter, he prayed her to sit down on a, log near by, and thus began:— "Once, not very long ago, I lived in a beautiful palace with my father, pother, and sisters. Not far from the palace lived a wicked witch who cast a spell over us. My parents and sisters were turned into stones and I' was turned into a dwarf, who would always be dressed in black, and only eat herbs, but if there was anybody so brave .as'to venture up the hill and kill the witch it would release us from this terrible spell." Elsa Bad listened all „ this time,with great interest. But tben ;i suddenly remembering that she was to take her father's food, she bade the mannikin good-bye, and ran all the way to the wood. After having stayed with her father a little while, she returned home, determined to start for the castle next morning. She told nobody of her plans, for she was sure they would not let her go.

Next morning, while it was still dark, she went down to the cellar and got a bottle of wine and a little bottle of poison. She then started on her journey. After much climbing she at last reached the top of the hill where the castle stood. t She knockeoYat the door, and an old woman, with a hump on her back, opened the, door add prayed her to come in and »it down. The witch then asked her what she had in the bottle. Elsa told her it was some fresh 'sweet wine, and asked if she would like some. The witch fetched two glasses and poured some of the wine from the bottle into Elsa's glass. Elsa pretended to shiver and spilt the wine on the floor. The witch went to fetch a rag to wipe it up, and while she was away JHsa poured the poison into the bottle of wine. When the witch returned she poured the rest of the wine into her glass and drank it. But, alas ! as soon as the wine touched her lips she fell dowTi dead upon the floot. All of a sudden everything changed. Servants were seen hurrying about the palace and a handsome prince entered end kissed Elsa. They were married afterwards, and after the king's death they ruled in his

stead. Klsn. Wad her mother am l father brought to the palace, where i.iev lived happily ever afterward.

WHY HE WAS LATE.

"Now, Tommy,'" said the teacher, "you were not at school this morning. Have "you any explanation to offer?" Please, sir, I was coming to school, when I saw a steam-roller." " There's nothing very strange in that," said the teacher. " No, sir," said the boy. "As I was. looking at iv a policeman ssys to me. ' mind thai steam roller —and I stayed minding it all the morning."

Teacher: "'Now, Bobby, how much do six and four make?" Bobby (eagerly): "Eleven, sir." Teacher: "Now, guess again."" Bobby (doubtfully): "'Twelve—nine— thirteen." Teacher: " How about ten?" Bobby (exultantly) : " Oh, you cau't mix me up that way, Five and five make ten."