When Everyone is Happy

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25084, 23 December 1944, Page 3

When Everyone is Happy

DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,— wT last the happiest day in the year is nearly here! The day when l\ all are glad becouse they are thinking of other people more than thejr own little selves. This is the sixth Christmas of war. How long it seems since those jolly days in peacetime when all the family was gathered round the dinner table, when there were crackers and ' candles everywhere and holidays were spent miles from anywhere in fnofor-cars and caravans. Never mind, those gay and carefree days must surely come again and until they do let us all make the very best of whot we have. For we in New Zealand are amazingly lucky, don't you think, boys and girls? We have sunshine at Christmas, the glorious red blossoms of the pohutukawas to adorn our safe homes, and above all we have no fear of sudden attack or perhaps death. Let us in the midst of our festivities pause to send some thoughts of hope and comfort to our dear kinsfolk in England. ine.r wirutmas cannot be as glad as ours, for there hanging over all is the black ttifld&w of the enemy's cruel weapons which may strike and kill at any time in the bright morning'when the first Christmas bells are ringing or at night when all lie sleeping. So, boyi and girls, let us pray that next year the message of Christmas will really come true and W8 shall all be sharing the pleasures of peace and security once more. . To you all, a very happy Christmas, many jolly surprises and •<! loads of love from Sootie-Cat, (jrey Malcolm and •[

The Cats Surprise Original Story by GLADYS ZANOVICH (12), D.D.M.B.G. "T ET'S give Anne Shirley a Christmas present," said Grey Malcolm to his little friend Sootie Cat. "Good ideal" Sootie Cat exclaimed. "What shall we give her?" Grey Malcolm, with a twinkle in his eyes, whispered eagerly that in the old attic he had found the very thing for a Christmas present, and it would be an excellent joke. too. So very early on Christmas morning the two cats went sneaking up the stairs carrying a parcel between them. Very carefully they placed the present on the bed, and then sat very still waiting for their mistress to awaken. Presently Anne Shirley opened her eyes and at once the cats cried. "Merry Christmas, Anne Shirley. Look at the present we brought you." "Oh! you dears!" exclaimed Anne Shirley, and with surprise and great excitement undid the strings, but her excitement turned to disrnav as she discovered two birds. "You naughty pussies." she cried, "you've been catching birds again." and looking severely at the two cats she saw that they were sitting back on their heels laughing. Then, looking down at the birds again she, too, began to laugh and said. "Oh. these are not real birds; they are only toy ones, Now come along, you naughty cats, and see your Christmas presents." Find the Names 1. What rings at Christmas EveP 2. What has to be paid forP ,S What name i« like a door? 4. What is it that burns like coal? 5. What kind of Christmas should it be? (Answers next week.) —Oritrinal. by Nola Euan (15).

—Prlze-winnlnsr sketch by Jean Fortune Anthem of the Slain Me ortm battlefield, neath. the warir. C !? U(t *'« wariy dead warriors whose souls are Cr Vln,J, "'if out, tweet Christmas belts, ring out, .Mil not ut war, ul [ell of peace and happiness that we ve Mi?" mil " a ! (jr ■ . ~ ""line world that our fight was not. fought lJ n , ai freedom and fraternity they're sure iwi ,k ltTlOtv Win. It rr,n 'tuered nations who are lying torn uP e " lfl ' K d"or, """ liberty and Justine walk hand-in-hand once more." Th <olorinus slam who died for us, their Ih*!t was Quickly won; conquests now arc over, their glorious "Hit! u runn a r '" ff out > «Heet Christmas bells, Inin It r l nff Vour Christmas thought J» hearts of wayward men who do Stn! ttle V ought "V 'l'oman, man and child to nobler

jji/f inspire, "a make enrh soul within us a bitrnluo. mJ nre- «"'• r, "0 sweet Christmas bells, ft ton 0,11 eternally, c»> li " niir einrwn tones and JM the u<hnlr world free." (13) Wln "" >S tJOL " m f>y Hohln* McFarFestive Fiction Chrulmas Purtrtin«," by G. I. iWar < "' ,rf ' 9 '' nKß " b> H"«f R. U Yfcti^ hr,sl " lM Tree," by Q '®ilow Kve ' hv " !< A Goort , —From John Buckl««id (14) iZMtha! Spirits," h v M Rrv A „ n Blylhe "TflSti o? 34 ' h.v Lotta I'resrnls. 'Thi Stcclunps," by I. Hope son. «« Greedj Hoy. ' h.v HmriMl* Toomuch by Kobin A.rni6ironn (14).

Christmas 1944 The earth's glad pulse of Joy is gently The glory of the dawns, the rugged splendour Of sunsets, speak deep truths, high hopes, sweet stdace . And silent, worship to their Author render, , .. White we frail beings, groping for the dawning, , _ Dimly discerning, gratefully remember That unto us a Son is given—not tent. Not One apart—a dear and hallowed Member Of one great family It was His Vrnyer Thai we might all he one. U e know the Of nettdeheux, the guiding star, the manger, (iood tidings, peace on earth, to 0"d the As deep unfathomable depths of spirit Are stirred by beauty as by pain or sorrow, So not just year by year the cheer is spoken, , Itut. daily strength prepares us for the morrow. For beauty calls us as each hour throbs onward, It leads us ever upward till we find Our Christmas greetings more sincere and heartfelt, Our mind knit closer with the Master Mind. —Prize-winning' poem by Eleanor Mllson (17), D.D.M.B.G.

SANTA HAS CALLED —Prize-winning sketch by Bernlce Howell (15), D.D.M.B.G. Recipe for Happiness Cake Put the Hour of love, (rood looks and sweet temper into a well-furnished house, beat the butter of youth to a cream, mix together blindnow of faults, self-foriretfuliiew.s. powdered wit, dry humour, into sweet argument, then add them to the above. Pour in gently rippling laughter and common sense. Work it together until all is well mixed. Then bake gently for ever. —Original, by Nola Campbell (12).

I Santa CLaus Lrossword to Solve

Clues Across.—J, A spring of mineral water 4, The festive season. 12, Indefinite article. 1!?. to pick out. M, Three-quarters of "vote." 1(>. To spin around. 17, A poisonous spider. Four-fifths of villa. 22. Able to he held. 23, Hard to bear. 25, To tip. 20. One-twelfth part of a pound troy. 2!). A garden instrument, a I A religion that Mohammed founded. 31, A tale. fJS. and behold. 30. A tame animal. Clues Down. —2. Father, a. A girl's name. 5, A favourite Christmas decoration, (i, To swagger. 7, Part, of the verb "to he." 8, To stiffen. 5). A woollen cloth used for curtains 10, Four-fifths of "Satan." 11. A council of old men. 13, Two-thirds of "cry." 15, One who ill-uses weaker persons than himself. IS. A proposition. If). To give permission to. 21 In definite article. 2!s, Thank you. 21, To depart 27 Indefinite article in French. 2S. Building with walls and towers. 30, A black, sticky sub stance. 31, Same 7 down. 32, Plunder 33, Legend. (Solution next week.) Prize-winning crossword by Mary Willis (IB). D.D.M.80.