The Greatest Gift of All

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

The Greatest Gift of All

Prize-winning Story by FAY PRICE (18). D.D.M.B.G.

Sketch by Elizabeth Howes (t~). M.B.G.

The boom of one of the far-off guns sounded as Tina, light-hearted, made his wgy down the slope to the village. A tremendous explosion rocked the village awake the next morning. A villager came running. "The Germans —they go! 1 hey ve blown up the ammunition dump. \Ve are free, my friends, free!" Silence tor one breathless moment, and then cheer upon cheer broke the air. It was so hard to believe that the soldiers who had fought for days within sound of the village had at last broken through. They rode through the village about half an hour later. Some stopped to rest and eat. How they were cheered by the people who now realised their freedom. It was Christmas in truth! The priest led all in a prayer of thanksgiving. They sang together, and Another M.B.G. We have pleasure, in announcing that another member of the Herald Circles has succeeded in gaining her first hundred points, thereby becoming a Member of Boys and Girls and winning the cash award of 5/-. This time it goes to RAT JOHNSON, of Knikohe. Hearty congratulations. Pat, and our very best wishes for continued success. as the soldiers marched on into the distance, they heard the fading strains of a carol. Tina couldn't tell them he'd asked Santa Claus for freedom. He knew now that the Englishman had spoken truly and liberation was theirs. Alone again he thought wistfully: "Next Christmas, 1 could ask lum for some skates just for myself." A Game to Play . This is a good game for any Christmas party. Have a few gifts ready. Let all the children stand in a ring, with one child in the centre of the circle. One gift is given to any one of the children in the circle. They stand facing the middle with their hands behind their backs. The child in the centre shuts his eves, and all sing a merry song, while tiie gift is passed around the circle behind their bncks. The leader calls out. "Now," and the song stops, and the gill remains in the hands of the person who has it when the leader calls out. The child in the centre then has a guess as to who is Santa Claus. If he guesses right he has the gift, and another is passed for the next child; but if he is wrong, another child goes into the centre, and it stnrts all over again, till every child has had a chance of guessing who is Santa. —-Original by Dorothy Tolhurst (l. r >). Limerick Said Santa "Times are changing I fear, And so to make me more modern this year, Would some kind Yank Please lend me a tank To use Instead of roindeerP" —Original, by Audrey Gueat (IS).

TINA made his way through the trees to the top of the hill. He wanted to be alone, far from conquerors and the fear of the conquered. Tonight Tina wanted to cry, but nobody cried these days. It was as though there wore no tears left to weep. So many terrible things had happened. In all his fourteen years there had been a Christmas, but this year there was to be - none. The Genitalis had ordered that everyone stay at home. That was why Tina had come to the top of the lull. He wanted to think. He remembered the Englishman who had written stories and always seemed so very happy. Tina had asked him why he was so h'appv, why he laughed so much and made people laugh, too. ihe Englishman had smiled as he answered: "it's because I'm free. Freedom s hard to explain, Tina. It's being able to do or say what over you like without harming anybody, it's being proud of your country and people, and telling about it without being punished. People don't realise freedom until it s taken away." , Tina knew the meaning of inose words now. 110 remembered also the Luglishman's account of his Ch"«stmas with its Santa Claus. In his smai. mind lie made a decision. He spoke clearly into the night air. "Dear Santa Claus. we all need so much, and I'm asking for just one thing for us all. The Englishman called it Freedom. Please. Santa, because he said vou'd never fail." Novel Decorations Flow nice the box in which the Christmas tree stands would look with a row of Santa Claus men arranged In a ring around it. If you have any coloured paper, especially the green wrapping kind. folds. When you , . . . open it up you should have, a long string which will look well around the walls. —Adapted, by John Buckland (14).

Chime Loud WSb Sweet Bells 0 Christmas bells, chime loud and gay, For once again 'tis Christmas Day. Ilinff out! fling out! l\mg loud and clear For 'tis a joyful time of year. v lUng out and tell that story old, That every Christmas-tide is told, About the Saviour as a Uabe Who in a manner low was laid. lUvj out and hear the angels sing About the Christ—the Baby King— The Star (hut guided Three Wise Men Unto the Uabe at Bethlehem. O Christinas bells, chime loud and clear, And send to all some Christmas cheer, Just as yon did long years ago When Christ was born on earth below. 0 chime again, sweet Christmas bells, To all the world your story tells That once again 'tis Christmas morn, The day when Jesus Christ was born. Ring carols for the Saviour King, While anthems to Him we shall sing. Chime loud, sweet bells, chime loud and gay, For all are glad on Christmas Day. —Original poem and sketches by AvonnC Rogers (U), D.D.M.U.G. Porky Pig's Mistake Original Story by NITA ZANOVICH (14), D.M.B.G. "]\rOVE over, and let- me have my share," squeaked Porky Pig to his sister Sal. ".Move over. I say." "Ha! Ha! Now I feel better." he grunted, as lie lay down to sleep, "and ain't I getting big and fat. The farmer will be pleased with me when he pays us a visit." "You are a greedy thing." orunted his brothers and sisters, "and silly, too, for you will be taken away to be Christmas' pork, as you are so big." "Ho. ho." laughed Porky, "you are all wrong. I was • listening to Farmer Brown last time be was here, and I heard him say that under the restrietions there isn't any pork sold in New Zealand, and . . . ." Just then Farmer Brown oanie striding along. "You are quite right, my elever Porky," he murmured. "There are restrictions on pork. But what about Christmas hams? There are still a few of them, and there is also the pork that' is sent overseas. So come along. Porky, you are just the right size." a f • rt / / •

Present for the World OK centuries, ever since children peopled the earth, it has been my duty to bring them good cheer. For years I have driven my reindeer and sledge from country to country, from town to town, and house- to house, carrying presents to hoys and girls of every race and of every colour. This year as 1 am preparing for my journey I feel that there is one present I wouid like to take to all mv young friends, ft is not a game to play with, nor a book to read. It is something that all the world longs for. Peace on earth and goodwill toward all men. If only 1 could cry down all the chimneys, "Wake up! Wake up! Peace is here." That would be the finest present I could take to everyone. —Prize-winning essay by Meg Skoglund. Who Is It? My first is in sun, but not in wind. My second in prayed, but not in sinned; My third is in nice, but not in bad, My fourth is in mother, but not in dad; My fifth is in plate, but not in spoon. My whole is in someone who's coming here soon. (Answer next week.) —Original, by Judith Tompkins (11). f 1

A ChrLstmas Pudding Crossword Puzzle

French for "thou." 8, Boy's name. 11, Bustles. 12. Mud, 14, Military Cross (abhrev.). 15, Throe-quarters of "home." IG, Behold! 17, Irish way of spelling "boy." 20, Comes from the sheep. '2,'5, Very wise. 25, What child calks his nurse. '27, Negative. 2S, Childish thanks. 20. Seven days. 31, Type. 32. Poetic form of "over." 33, A city passenger vehicle. 35, Eisenhower's nickname. 30, A female cat. 38, A writing implement. 39. Sweet, 42, The Messiah. -13, We've waited for it since 1939. Clues Down.—l, Shine. 3, Colour of a lemon. 4, To chew steadily, 0, A rare gem with its second and third letters reversed. 7, A drinking glass. 9, Royal Marines (abhrev.). 10. Shrill cry. 1.3, Sanf/t's sleigh (roes through it. 18, Opposite to "i-ff." 19, Tibetan ox. 21. Exclamation when the Christmas pudding is seen. 22. Automobile. 2-1, Raining. 20, Fleet of foot. 28, Support, for golf ball. 30, Girl's name. 32. All right! (slang abhrev.). 31, Human being. 35, Unwell. :i7. Sailors' cries in heaving together. *lO, Exclamation of surprise. 41, Personal pronotfn. (Solution next week.) —Prize-winning crossword by John Buckland (14).

Santa Never Forgets Prize-winning Essay by- BARBARA NEESON (10) J" PACED up and down my room in despair. My fairies whom 1 had sent out to make lists of the good and bad children throughout the year had returned. They told me that this Christinas I should not be able to take any presents to the Italian children, as the numbs made the roads impassable for my reindeers. wnfit snould I do? Would the Fairy Queen make me invisible and give me wings so that I could see these children? She did, so away I went. The children were hungry and ragged. Food would be the best presents for them. Where should I get it? The soldiers' camp, of course. I went in. Asleep they were, and I had an idea. I whispered to one o£ them. Next morning at breakfast Happy, looked at his meal. Christmas Day was. What about those poor children in the village? No Santa for them this year —110 pudding or cake. But, of course! * "Hey, boys," I dreamt we gave all those poor kids out there our Christ-, mas parcels." he shouted. "Why not?" said another. "They are hungry." "Stuff a clean sock with things from our tins," said another. No sooner sail than-done, and an hour later New Zealand soldiers trooped in the snow to th„£ village to give presents in my place. ■* Happy tears and happy laughter from the Italians and a happy heart for me as invisible I flew away. "Forget the children? Of course not.'*

—Sketch by Mavis Porter (11), M.8.0." An Awkvsard Situation Santa drew rein on a roof-top, To deliver a fine hombu train To young Tommy Jones who was sleeping below, lie/ore he drove off home again. Perhaps the chimney was narrow; Perhaps he was just out of luck; Whatever the reason, the fact still remaln^t That halfway down, Santa vol stuck. In vain he kicked and he struggled, He strained arid he scrambled ana squirmed. Until Quite exhausted he had to give upj By now his worst, fears were confirmed. ~ lie stretched up his arm to feel around, And brought down a deluge of soot! Sonn he was covered all over with, black, From the top of his head to each foot. Suddenly, without, any learning, With a "Hang!" he slid to the floor; He rubbed himself, put Tommy's train neafi his bed; . And then hurried out—through the doorl -.Original poem, by Robin Armstrong (14). Riddle - me - ree My first is In cake, but not in breads My second is in heel and also In headi Mv third is in rain, but not in hail; My fourth is in hill, bnt not .In dalej Mv fifth is in stir, but not in bake; My sixth is in steal, aud also in take; Mv seventh is in man, but not in lady; . Mv eighth is in heat and also, in sbaayif My ninth is in sing, but not in hear; My whole is in something that comes onofl a year . , . . (Answer next week.) ». Original, by Josephine Fahey (.18), M.8.0K ■ . "v Address Please Would Mwis Galloway please sead. full address, as it has unfortunately boedmislaid. A prize awaits her.