Yuletide In the Solomons

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24775, 24 December 1943, Page 3

Yuletide In the Solomons

AfARY ELIZABETH was very excited because slie knew that on the morrow she would receive gifts to commemorate the gift God gave to the world on tlx/ first Christmas. She would also have a mug of tea and some biscuits —a great treat in Melanesia. On Christmas morning she was up at dawn to meet Nancy, her friend. They went to church together. There they joined in the singing of some old Christmas hymns. After this they went home, and alter breakfast, which was held under the trees, they went down to the beach and bathed until lunchtime. After lunch the village people assembled under the trees for the Nativity play. For months the brown boys and girls had been practising their parts, and now they could speak and act them in the spirit of the characters they represented. The white teacher robed 'each child appropriately and all the onlookers were thrilled by the story they acted. All the village folk had' heard the Christmas story, but they could understand it better now, because it was acted so well. After this everybody sat in a ring and the bishop gave them their gifts. Mary Elizabeth was very pleased because she received a lovely doll and a picture book. Nancy's face beamed with happiness because she received a doll and a ball. Later, when they had had their tea, they played with their gifts until evening carol service, in which all joined most happily. The next day a great feast was held and it was followed by some dances. As the afternoon drew to a close the people who had come from other villages returned home to evening prayer. All is different now. Since the Japanese have invaded these islands the native peoples have made temporary

—Original sketch, by Valda Shllton (14). Riddle - rhyme My first is in Christmas, but not in holly. My second's in joyous but not in jolly; , My third is in carols but not in sing, My fourth is in cake but not in ring; My fifth is in manger but not in hay. My sixth is in sunny and in holiday. What am T? (Solution Next Week.) —Original, by Avonne Rogers (13). D.M.8.0

•Prize-winning story by NAOMI HEASLIP (II), D.M.B.G

villages in the bush. There they carryon, and have their Christmas services, their carols, and their play. But Bishop Baddeley, who lias been staying with us, says the Islanders look forward to the when the Japanese will be driven out and peace once snore will reign

AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE Edgar, who learns that there was a sixpence in the Christmas pudding which hasn't been found yet, and who distinctly remembers swallowing something hard. —Original, by Kitty Halcombe (18).