Adventures of Bud and Petal

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

Adventures of Bud and Petal

By ALTHEA FAHEY—Chapter IV. , C]

A FTER the Fairy Queen had dismissed him, Fairy Fleetwing went in search of the twins. He found them waiting by the "Flying Cloud, all eager to be off. "Well, kiddies," he said; ' all ready for our trip to the Lower World P" "Rather," answered Bud. "I want to see the River Lethe. "Is it far?" asked Petal. "Hop in and you will see," answered Fleetwing. They lost no time in taking their places and soon they were off. "We must make for Lake Avernus, said Fleetwing. "Is it a very big lake Y asked Petal. "No, it is not particularly big," answered Fairy Fleetwing; "it is the lake through which we enter the Lower World." On flew the aeroplane until they came to the middle of the world. "Look," said Fleetwing, "do you see that lake below us? That is Lake Avernus."

Looking down they saw a lake, gloriously blue, the water dancing and sparkling in the sunshine. Fairy Fleetwing flew lower and gradually the trees and ferns growing around the lake became larger and took more definite shape, until, at last, the "Flying Cloud" landed on the shores of the lake in the middle of the world.

Bud and Petal were soon out of the aeroplane and walked to the edge of the lake. Fairy Fleetwing blew a shrill blast on his .silver trumpet and immediately Hermes appeared before them. Hermes is the messenger of the gods, and it is he who looks after all travellers, and it is he who also conducts travellers to the gates of the Lower World. He greeted the Fairy King's secretary very cordially, and on being told of the mission on which he had been sent, Hermes touched the water with his staff and there appeared before them a path to tho middle of the lake. Bud and Petal followed Fleetwing and Hermes, and when they all reached the centre of the lake they saw some steps leading down to the depths of the earth. As they descended the light grew dim until it was like twilight. As they went down, Hermes told them that Hel, the Queen of the Lower World was waiting to receive them. When they reached the bottom of the steps they found a tall lady waiting for them; her face was very pale and her black hair hung in two long plaits to her knees; she was wearing a soft grey robe made of twilight mist. When she saw the children sho smiled and held out her hands to them. This was Queen Hel. She greeted 'Fairy Fleetwing very pleasantly, and said that she would go with them on their quest. Hermes bade tho fairies au rcvoir, and the travellers proceeded with Queen Hel. "Before wo come to Castle Hades," said the Queen of the Lower World, "we must go through Erebus, the dark place where the Queen of Darkness lives. Sometimes sho is called Lady of tho Night, but her real name is Nyx." As Bud and Petal followed Queen Hel and Fleetwing they noticed that it grew darker and darker, and Petal grew afraid. Bud was a bit scared, too, but, of course, he did not show it.

"Don't fear, Petal," said Queen Hel, "it is quite safe. This is Erebus, the place where the Greeks believed the spirits of the dead travelled through on their wav to Hades."

Soon they heard the sound of running water, and it began to grow lighter, until once again it was twilight, and they could see each other's faeo; they then beheld before them the River Stvx.

The Styx is a river in the Lower World by which the Gods swore their most sacred oaths. Old Charon was waiting to row them across in his quaintly-carved boat. Bud and Petal waited until the Queen and Fleetwing took their seats, and then they, too, stepped into the boat. Charoi was in a chatty mood and he told tht) children stories of ancient warriors who had passed over centuries before. Stories of old Vikings on their way to Valhalla. Of course, you all know that Valhalla is the hall where all the great old warriors went after they were slain on the fields of battle.

The Styx is a fairly wide river, and it is so deep that no one has ever been able to find out just how deep it ig. It flows very silently and swiftly, and is a fitting place for the Gods to make their vows.

When the boat reached the opposite shore the twins found themselves on a broad road at the end of which they could see Castle Hades. They walked on and the two little fairies were wildly excited to see Cerebus. They had heard of him and now that they were .actually to see him they were all eagerness. "Will he bite?" asked Petal. "No, dear," answered Queen Hel, "he is & great pal of mine and will net harm anyone who is with me." As they drew nearer the twins saw that the gates of the castle were black, and on asking what they were :made 6f Fairy Fleetwing told them that the shiny black material was coal—wondrously carved and highly-polished coal. When they came up to the gates Cerebus came rushing up. He is the dog with three heads that guards the gates of Castle Hades. Petal gave a little shriek. "Oh!" she cried. "Doesn't he look terrible?" "Come, dear Petal," said Queen Hel,. "see, he is quite gentle now." Indeed he was; he came up to Hel and lay down at her feet. She patted his three great heads each in turn and he wagged his tail and followed them into the grounds of the castle.

The River Cocytus flows through the gardens • and is sometimes known as "The River of Wailing"; all the tears of mortals find their way into, the Lower World and form this river—that is why it is called the River of Wailing. Queen Hel led the trio over the Bridge of Sigha, which spans the Cocytus, and they found themselves at the'door of the castle. Ab they entered they were met by BMc", Queen Hel's husband, and King of the Lower World. He, of course, knew Fairy Flee twin and when the fairy secretary told him of his mission to procure some water from the River of Forgetfulnessi—or, as it is better known, the River Lethe—the king said he would send a servant for it.

King Oberon wanted some water from this river for use in the world. When the Fairy King sees poor mortals worried and distressed, he sends Morpheus, the Keeper of Sleep and Dreams, to visit them. When Morpheus sees the worried mortals preparing to retire he gently rubs their eyelids with the Water of Lethe and they fall into a sweet, refreshing sleep, and forget for a while, at least, their worries, and when they wake up they are refreshed and are able to battle against their troubles.

"While we are for the water," said Hades, "I will show you the River Phlegethan, the river of fire. It flows under Castle Hades. Vulcan, the God of Fire, watches always on the banks of this river. He controls all the fire fairies in the world, and all the fire fairies are at his command."

Did you know that matches are fire fairies, and whenever you strike a match Vulcan sees your signal and he sends a Fire Fairy to answec your call? The flame you make when you strike a match is a tiny Fire Fairy from the River of Fire, or the Phlegeths.n, come all the way from the Lower World to give you fire. Bud and Petal were delighted when they saw the great Vulcan. His armour is made of flaine-coloured metal. Vulcan is also God of the metal workers and his armour was a marvellous piece of workmanship. He is very tall and his eyes are golden brown, his hair is auburn and is very long and curly. He was pleased to see the twins and showed them how gold is made, how it is formed in seams in the earth. He also showed them all the wonders of the earth itself, the great jewel mines, and he told them. how diamonds are made from coal.

"Ah," he said after a while, "here is my wife. I will leave you with her and she will talk to you." Next week I will tell you about Vulcan's wife and how the twins and Fairy Fleetwing came back from the Lower World. (To be Continued.)