BOYS and GIRLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25054, 18 November 1944, Page 4

BOYS and GIRLS

Books Are Good Companions DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,— This last week has been celebrated as Children's -Book Week—and what a splendid idea it is, too. What is more delightful than a good book to read, by a cheerfully blazing fire in winter or up in the cool shade of a tree in summer? Those who seldom read miss so much, don't you think, boys and girls? There are such hosts of fine friends to be made through books —not only the characters we learn to know and love within the pages, but also the firm friends we make in our everyday life through discussion and appreciation of books. Books are a great bond between man and man and nation and nation. A book can sometimes influence a whole country. How true is the proverb about the pen being mightier than the sword. As we grow older we learn to value books more and more. They are the gateways to new and yet unexplored worlds for us. They introduce us to places we may never have the opportunity to visit and they enable us to know people in all parts of the world. On top of all that they are very good entertainment.

I wonder which you like best. It is a difficult question to answer. There are travel books, nature stories, school stories, books about brave men and women and there are the fascinating books about fairies, magic and the little wild folk of the bush and country. What splendid fun it is to be able to share in the adventures of Squirrel Nutkin, Peter Rabbit and funny little Mrs Tiggy Winkle in Beatrix Potter's delightful books, to follow Christopher Robin with Pooh Bear and Piglet and the others and to hear again of the exploits of Toad in "The Wind in the Willows.' Yes, book-friends can always be depended upon for good companionship. Jolly hours of read- '. ing for you all and love from j I Letters Received Thank you to tho following boys and girls for their most welcome letters. Write again soon, won't you? Shirley Mildon, Margot Gregson, Elaine Keepa, Agnes Wedgcr, John Buckland, Joic Barker, Bernice Koweli, Pay Ballan. Valerie Spanner. Country Scene Tt, was a very picturesque landscape you saw as you leaned over tho old weather-beaten paling beside the large dusty road. In the foreground many large hay paddocks spread over a great expanse of grass land. When the fields camo to an end iow>bush unfurled to the brink of a small blue lake which was backed by long, sloping hills. Boyond llieso hills a high mountain stood stately and majestic against tho setting sun. —Original, by Paul Pettit (13).

Shamrockland I'd dearly love to journey bach To Erin's lush green shamrock shore, Where hills peaked high and sparkling lakes Are wondrous sights forever more. The peasants all are carefree folk, The kindliest I've ever known, Rui. first show them your loyalty, For what one reaps must first be sown From the hills of Mourne by the sea. To Killarney's own dear green dells The,re's welcome from each merry soul Whose laughter rings like distant bells. Like beads the days Mil soon slip by, And when it's time for you to part You'll travel on from Erin's shores But fftadlu leave behind your heart. —Original, by B. Lawrence-Fisher.

The Moon Shadows softly lengthen, lower slnlis the sun, Stars begin to twinkle, pop out one by one. Gently blows the west wind, rocking birds to sleep. And o'er the eastern hill-tops the moon begins to peep, in majesty and splendour, she sails across the sky, The earth, in slumber folded, within her smile does lie. She tips the stately tree-tops, with silvery radiance bright, And to the mournful night-owl she softly bids good-night. Thus through the night she journeys, o'er mountain, vale and sea. Past village, town and hamlet, across the moorlands free. At last her journey's ended, the dawn begins to break. She slips behind a western cloud. Soon all the world's awake. —Original, l)y Jean Langrord (16). Duck Acts as Decoy Dear Anne Shirley,—We have a duck which is sitting on 18 eggs. I discovered the nest which is situated in the middle of a swamp covered with tea-tree. When ray father wont down to look for her nest ho suddenly heard a loud quacking and flapping of wings. Ho rushed into the swamp and saw tho culprit flapping its wings and rushing up the marsh. When dad caught up to her there she was. sitting in a nest. Dad shooed her off and found nothing under her! My father had heard of a drake acting as a decoy to entice one away from another duck's nest, so he turned down-swamp to see if this duck was acting as a decoy to tho original one sitting on the 18 eggs. After searching for perhaps a-quarter of an hour my father found the duck trying to sit on all the 18 eggs at onr.e. Isn't it peculiar and interesting how two ducks will behave like that in order to protect each other? —From John Buckland (14). Whawliarua. Margaret's Pets * Dear Anne Shirley.—At home we hnve a Muscovy duck and drake. Tho duck is white and the drake is black and white. Every morning the duck flies inside and cats tho cat's dinner. She and the drake like to swim in the creok. Thev will cat off my hand, and they don't quack like the other ducks.—Yours truly, Margaret E. McQuoid (10), Mangatarata Welcome To Our Circles A warm welcome is extended to the following new members of the Herald Circles:— Barbara Macleod, Alecia Morgan, Joan Morgan, Nancy Harris, John Sheppard. Adele Smith, June Lever, Dawn Petch, Beverley, and Raywin Body, Mollio Johnson, Gary Burke, Jeremy Commons, Gladys Ririnui. Betty Armstrong, Eric Reed, Doreen Roycroft, Evelyn Brunton, Ann Walker, Jean Hughes, Joyce Hay, Zoo Powell, Lillian Watene. Aileon Cossill, Colleen Pierce, Shfrley Dunlop, Lillian Garvio, Janet Ewlng. To New Members.—Don't be disappointed if your membership certificate and rnle card do not arrive immediately. We are a fresh supply from the printer. They will be sent out just as soon as they arrive. An Island Story "South Georgia" went to see "St. Helena"; she had • some "Sandwiches." They went to see "Cook." who had a "Kangaroo" for a pet. He said he had a "Society" of Kangaroos. Just then "Campbell" came along and said it is "Raster" tomorrow. I have already invited "Gilbert" "Flinders" and "Ellice" and now you two. —rOriginal, by Joyce Martin (10). ,

One Good Turn .... Sally Spider was sitting on a branch crying when Tinkerbell, the fairy, saw her. "Whatever's tho matter, Sally," asked Tinkerbell. "My thread is not long enough to reach that branch and I did want to win the prize for tho biggest web," she replied. "If I stand on tho branch and bend it down to you you will be able to reach it," said Tinkerbell. suiting the action to the words. "Oh, thank you ever so much," said Sally when she had made her web, "and please let mo know if I can help you any time." A few days later Tinkerbell was invited to a ball She was very upset when sire Found she had no dress to go in and all the rose petals were gone so that she could not make one cither. Catching sight of Sally Tinkerbell fold her of her sad plight. Sally offered to make her a dress of spider silk and Tinkerbell was delighted. At Uic ball Tinkerbell won a prize for the nicest dress and on reaching home she was very happy to hear that Sally had won the prize for the biggest web. —Original, by Rose Anderson (12). Hidden Flowers There are six flowers which are found in the fields and in the garden hidden in these sentences: — (1) "Jump in Kate," she said, as she stopped the car. (2) As Terry reached the summit- be saw the.river winding below. (3) "Ada is Yvonne's beet friend I" cried Mrs Brown angrily. (4) The lark's pure notes rang through the air. (5) "Is Phil up in the plum tree?" she asked, suspiciously. (0) June asked me to heat her water becauso she was in a hurry. (Answers elsewhere.). —Original, by Audrey Guest (15).

Genera! Knowledge Quiz (L) Who wrote "The Merchant of Venice?" (2) Wlmt is the name of David's aunt in "David Copperficld?" (3) Who was "the lad.v with the lamp?" (1) Who invented the phonograph? Who beat the swift Atalanta in a race, by throwing down golden apples on the track? (Answers elsewhere.) —Original, by Donald Uassell (10), M.B.G. Limerick Thoro was a young fellow called Frank, Who went for a swim in a tank, But as he couldn't swim Ho went away from the brim And down to the bottom he sank. —Original, by Joy Wattam (Hi).

After the Rain t\ow the blackbird gaily trills To sec Ihc clouds flee o'er the hills; And with glad song the air he fills After the rain. The lambkins skip in ecstasy, Once more I hear the busy bee A-humming in the cherry tree After the rain. The daisies lift their heads to greet And lilies lift their cups to meet The bright sunshine and gentle heat After the rain. The shy-eyed deer has drunk his fill, The brooklet ripples faster still, Young mushrooms dot the distant hill After the rain. —Original, by TUelma Lamont (11). Thank You Thank you to the following boys and girls for items which have been accepted for publication in this corner later on:—Jeremy Commons, Faith Fauchelle, Doreen Nelson. Bernico Howell, Lillian Wat one, Jean Black, Barbara Knapp, Lorraine Reeve, Rae Overton, Agnes Kelly, Mary Dawn, Jean Langford. Thanks also go (o the following boys and girls whose items were not quite suitable for publication this time. Keep trying and you will succeed soon. Evelyn Hainge, Agnes Kelly, Bill Kelly, Nola Fenning, D. M. McLaren, Agnes Hedger, Janet Baker, Sylvia Maxwell. Colleen Green. Maureen Malcolm. Dawn Parsons, Winnie Mitchell. Pat Holdsworth. Margaret McQuoid. Jean Black. Valerio Capper, Margaret Robinson, Lilian Robinson, Nola Egan, Lillian Wateno, Hazel Jellio, Susie Turner, Joan Bartlett. Ruth Sundsfedt, Margaret Gregson, Jeremy Commons, Sally Riley, Fay Smyth. Answers Hidden Flowers:—l, Pink. 2. Aster. 3 Daisy. 4. Larkspur. 5, Lupin, fi. Heather. General Knowledge Quiz l, William Shakespeare. '_', Miss Betsy Trotwood; Miss Murdstono is his step-aunt. :?, Florence Nightingale. -1, Thomas Alva Edison. 5. Milanion (Hippomcnes). ★ * ★ What is it that is made and used each day?—A bed. What do you find in an empty traiuP— Plenty of room. —From Frances Walker (14), D.M.B.G