The Rain Elf: Original, by Esme Clark

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 17

The Rain Elf: Original, by Esme Clark

"DiAlN rain, go away, come again " another day." That is what the jewelled drops seemed to say as they played on the rusty roofs of the houses that lay huddled together trying their best not to take any notice of the wind whistling round the corners and chasing the raindrops as if in play. "Oil, how I wish it would stop raining," moaned Elsie, "I did want to go to our Sunday School concert, but now L can't, and I was looking forward to it." "I think it's lovely to be in the rain, and I think you ought to like it," said a soft, timid voice which sounded near Elsie's elbow. "Who are you?" said surprised Elsie as a tiny figure appeared before.her, hopping on one leg and then the other. "Oh, don't you know me?" said the tiny figure, "I thought everyone knew ipe," lie said as he pushed his chest odt in a very proud manner, "Why, I'm the rain elf." "Such a proud, dignified little fellow," thought Elsie, as she gazed in

awe at the elf, "and what lovely mischievous, brown eyes laughing and twinkling at me." "Do you know," continued the elf, "that you're the only unhappy person at the moment, why, just look'at those daisies smiling at the twinkling rain-

drops, and, as well as that, I believe the willow tree has stopped weeping." "But they are not people," said Elsie, "they are only things." "indeed, they're not," said the rain elf in his dignified manner, "they're my brothers and sisters and they can speak, laugh, or cry, just the same as you.and I."

"Really?" said Elsie feeling very interested, "and are the birds, bees, and all animals including insects our brothers and sisters too?"

"Indeed they are," said the elf in his small soft voice, "I'm sure if you loved them they would love you too."

"Wall, I must be off now," continued the elf, and with a "wurr" of his wings lie had gone. "He didn't say good-bye," said Elsio ill a, disappointed tone of voice. But he had, because all that could bo seen of the rain was a number of sparkling jewels clinging on to the bushes and trees. The birds were singing and chirping and the butterflies flitted hither and thither among a number of bright-hued flowers, but, the willow tree was still weeping.