Evening

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23055, 4 June 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

Evening

Gently the fair breeze blew; Swiftly to nests birds flew; Slowly the sun sank to rest, There in the far-away west. —Original bu Annie Ah Chan, Thames.

you I almost felt my old rheumatism again, lying crouched up all morning at the hole in the corner and no miw in sight." Little Longskirt smoothed his striped coat. "Perhaps there is none to come out!" she exclaimed.

"Anyway," put in Fat Sparrow, "Blue Tulip is very lucky. He didn't have to go outside to hear the latest news or into the cellar to rid the house of mice." And with that the three of them went up the stairs to seo how Blue Tulip amused himself while they were away. They went gaily upstairs and Little Longskirt opened the attic door. She glanced at the window-sill and then quickly at the floor. For a brief moment she, Fat Sparrow and the Striped Cat gazed in horror at the scone that met their eyes.

"Well, well," said Hilda thoughtfully, "what could have done it. Perhaps—the wind." And then, Littlo Longskirt remembered. Yes, of course, it was the wind. Who else could have? Who else would have?

Away went Little Longskirt with a rolling-pin clenched tightly in her little fat hand. Fat Sparrow and the Striped Cat followed her. Out into the street they went, not heeding Hilda's cries to "return, then up the street and out of the town. They were fully determined to give the wind all lie deserved and equally determined not to rest until they found him. For a very long time they searched, this way and that, but the wind, you know, is a very elusive fellow and he led Little Longskirt and her two friends a gay dance over a great deal of the countryside. But since all things have an ending, so did the wind's allotted time of freedom. He grew very tired and decided to rest in a near by tree for a short while. Rest he did. and soon he fell asleep and there Little Longskirt found him. Hero and there, all over him, and as hard as she could, she hit him with Hilda's rolling-pin. Fat Sparrow pecked at his nose and cheeks, and the Striped Cat scratched him mercilessly. They would teach him; they would avenge Blue Tulip faithfully. "Oh, please let me go," wailed tin* wind, "I shall do whatever you ask; only let me go'"