Dot's Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22447, 17 December 1934, Page 19

Dot's Little Folk

THE WEEK'S POEM. Here is & darting thing, children: one of the prettiest pieces of verse about music I have read. How many of you play the piano? Well, next time you sit in front of your piece of music, imagine it as this poet imagines it, and see whether, thinking of them as finches, you can make the notes sound sweeter and clearer than you have over been able to make them sound before. DOT.

* * * MUSICAL COMPOSITION. This, a sight which never tires: Finches perched on copper wires; Yellow birds arranged like notes (The melody within their throats) Upon a staff that glints and shines •From pole to pole in airy lines; A shifting flock whose wings compose A tune with words nobody knows- — A haunting, wistful air that starts. Yet never finishes, else hearts. Ravished by a song birds make On five slim copper wires, might break—Ethel Romig Fuller. WEAVERS OF WORDS. Now we see how Mak’s deceitful plan Is discovered, my Little Folk. If the shepherds had not been kind of heart they would not have come back to give the " child " a present, and so would not have found out what sort of a child it was. A changeling, you know, was a fairy child, supposed to have been put into a cradle by the fairies after the real child bad been stolen away. DOT. * * * THE SHEPHERDS’ WATCH, f Continued.) Meanwhile, Gill from her bed cries out to them, calling them thieves. "Ye come to rob us. I swear it ever I you beguiled, that I eat this child that lies in this cradle.” The shepherds at length begin to be sorry that they have been so unjust as to suspect Mak. They wish to make friends again. But Mak will not be friends, “ Farewell, all three, and glad I am to see you go." he cries. . „ _ . So the shepherds go a little sadly. Fair winds may there be, but love there is none this year," says one. "Gave ye the child anything?” says an-

other. I trow not a farthing.” Then hack will I go,” saya the third shepherd. " Abide ye there.” . And back ho goes full of his kindly thought. “Mak,’'"he says, “with your leave let me give your bairn but sixpence. But Mak still pretends to be sulky, and will not let him come near the child. By this time all the shepherds have come back. Ope wants to kiss the baby, and bends over the cradle. Suddenly he starts back. What a nose! The deceit is found out, and the shepherds are very angry. Yet, even In their anger they can hardly help laughing. Mak and Gill, however, are ready of wit. They will not own to the theft. It is a changeling child, they say. .... But the shepherds will not be deceived a second time. They resolve to punish Mak. but let him, oft after having tossed him in a blanket until they are tired, and he is sore and sorry for himself. (To be continued.) l v ; - ; .TO ALL. Dear Little Folk, —Not everybody who admires the writings of Leigh Hunt knows that he- wrote instructions for making a Christmas pudding. He did, however, and hele it is copied from a magazine.—lour loving UOT“If you would make a pudding in which everyone delights, Of b’x precious new-laid eggs you take the ■ oiks and whites, A p-und of stoned raisins, a pound ot currants dried, Some sugar and some suet, and some candied peel beside; , You stir' them in a basin till they thoroughly

'-combine, t Arid, be sure you chop the suet particulaTly

And fi yo« mix It all together with ft little

wheaten flour. And you let it stand together for a quarter of an hour. • • : ' ' . .. You tie . the mixture in a cloth, you put fit

in a pot: .. Some people like the water cold, and some prefer it hot. But either of those methods I don t know which to praise, But I know that it should boil an hour for. ' ' every pound It weighs. If I. were King of France, or, better still,

the Pope of Rome, I’d..have a Christmas pudding every time I

dined at home. And ail the world should taste a bit, and

if any did remain. For my breakfast next morning. I’d warm it up again.” LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK. Motto.—We write for the benefit of others not for ourselves FIRST LETTERS. Dear Dot,—This is the first time I have written to you. I want to know if I may Join your happy band. MICKY’S PLAYMATE (Dunedin). [Certainly you may join, dear, hut your name had been chosen before, so I have called you Micky’s Playmate Instead. —DOT.] # * * Dear Dot,—-May I join your happy band? One day we went to the bush for a picnic. Wo went through the bush till we came to a waterfall, which was very beautiful. I am nine years of age, and am in Standard III; We are getting ready to go. to the Owaka Show, so I must stop. PIXIE OF THE GLEN (Otekura).

[Yes, you may join. Pixie of the Glen, who will. I hope, tell me more about that picnic. Did you enjoy the show? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your merry band? My mother, who was an Old Writer by the name of Puss in Boots, has at last persuaded me to write to you. I shall be 15 next April, and am quite a tail girl for my age. I must tell you how very eagerly mother and I are looking forward to the reunion of 1936 and also the coming socials. It is very Interesting to be an onlooker to. your page. Many of the Little Folk certainly know how to construct letters. Well, Dot, I do not wish to use up your valuable space, so I will bid you good-bye for the present. MURIEL MAY (Dunedin). [I am pleased to welcome you, Muriel May, and hope that you will be one of the Little Folk who write well. Is Puss in Boots writing for Old Writers’ Week?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy hand of Little Folk? I am seven years of age" and am in Standard I at school, which I like very much. Daddy, mummy, and I are going camping ail the Christmas holidays to Pembroke. Don’t you think that wIU he fun? I hope all the Little Folk have a happy holiday and Christmas. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear sgl j MOTOR BOY (Palmerston). [I am pleased to welcome you. Motor Boy, and hope you will have time to write me a letter about your holidays. I wish you good weather.—DOT.] * * -<= Dear Dot,—l am writing this short letter hoping that you will enrol me as one of your Little Folk. I am over 15 years of age and am interested in sport of different kinds, including swimming, riding, etc. 1 am hoping that I shall receive numbers of letters from Little Folk in all parts, especially in Australia. I enjoy reading your page, it is full of so many interesting letters. Our district is situated about 17 miles from town, and is a rather pretty little valley. If I may, sometime I hope to tell you about our Fuchsia Creek Gorge, which is very pretty indeed- Well, Dot, 1 will close now, and I will try to write a more interesting letter next time. SUNNY SAILOR GIRL (Oamaru).

IT shall enjoy hearing about your Fuchsia Creek Gorge. Sunny, Sailor Girl, who is welcome to the page, but whose name has had to be altered a little.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of LitUe Folk? I am 13 years of age, and am in Standard VI. I have been In Standard VI for two years, but I am leaving thla year I have two calves, and would like you please to give me a name for each of them. My sisters, Tuppence H a penny and Reomoana, also write to you. I shall close now with love to all your Little Folk and your own dear self. THE BLACK KNIGHT’S SQUIRE (Taieri). fWelcome to the Black Night's Squire, whose name has had to be What about calling the calves Lettuce and Watercress. —DOT.I

Inaugurated Julu 16,1886,

u by th.e OTAGO WITNESS

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominion on matters of interest to themselves. Letters are to be written under a nom de plume, which, once chosen, cannot be changed by the writer. New members must enclose their name and address. These will not be published, and are for registration purposes only. Little Folk should write on one side of the paper only, and in ink. and should address their letters, " Dot, care of Editor, Otago Dally Times." Dot's Little Folk's Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch. Is obtainable on application to Dot. Price 2s 6d, in stamps or postal notes.

BEST LETTERS. Dear Dot. —1 promised to tell you about my trip to the lighthouse. We set off by train, and after alighting at the Kartigl railway station, we attempted many times to cross the railway bridge unsuccessfully. At last, my mate managed to walk over, so I followed. We then scrambled through fences and roamed over sandhills till we reached the gate leading the way to the Moerakl lighthouse. After climbing a further hill the keeper directed us through. The bottom storey was full of maps and compasses and different flags. We climbed right up to the top although the stairs were very small and awkward, and the big light amazed us both. We looked out into the sea, and then we examined the light, and signed our names in the visitors’ book. The keeper explained the compasses, etc., after which we set out home, tired but happy. SUGAR BAG (Central Otago).

[A very interesting trip. Sugar Bag. Was the bridge too frightening for you to cress at first? Now that you have seen a lighthouse you will always feel that you know about one.—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot. —Tuppence Ha-penny has already written to you. We have been having such glorious summer weather that 1 must tell you about it. I love the warm days, even though we are short of water. Every night after tea we all go a mile and a-half away and have a swim. It is lovely. I cannot swim very well, but I never tire of trying. If It is daylight enough we usually go fishing after our swim, but can catch only red cod just now. One night we stayed at the beach until after dark, and when we were going to come home we could not find tbe bag with all the bathing suits. Afterwards. I remembered leaving it on the other side of a channel, but it was too dark to Jump across and get it, the channel not being very safe. Next day being Saturday, we decided to spend the day at the beach. When we arrived we found the bathing suits at the water s edge. Now, I do think we were lucky, don’t you? The sun was so hot that it burned my arms. Next day they were all blistered and very tender to touch. Now thev are peeling, but are not sore. Black Knight’s Squire is my brother. He is going to write to you also. I must close for this time, with love to ail. REOMOANA (Talerl Beach).

[You have told me very agreeably, Reomoana, and made me able, almost, to see you swimming and rescuing your bathing suits afterwards. Yes, indeed you were lucky.—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot. —I am going to tell you about the sandpipers down in our paddock. The mother bird is brown and her breast is all striped with brown and white. The little bird is all brown with white specks, and they run over the ground like the wind. The old bird tries to lead us away from the little one. so that you will not touch it. The mother bird pretends to have a broken leg or wing. The little birds are so big when they come out of the shell that they can run about, for they have no nest. In my next letter I will tell you about my garden. I must close now, with love to you and your Little Folk.

TUPPENCE HA-PENNY (Taierl Beach)

[What lovable things to have in a paddock, Tuppence Ha-penny And how they must interest you i I should like to see them all running about like the wind. — DOT-] $ * ❖

Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my first letter in print. Our holidays will soon be here, and we are busy preparing for our concert. It is to be held on Tuesday, December 18. We are having a play called “ Tho Story of the Willow Pattern,” and, no doubt, you know that story well. I am to .be one of Koongsee's maidens. Koongsee- Is my sister, whose name in your page is Another Girl Guido. I am also taking part as the queen in a recitation, “ The King’s Breakfast.” My sister is doing the Highland Fling with two other girls. Cheerio, with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. BLACK. SHADOW .(Georgetown).

[I am sure It will be a very good concert, Black Shadow, and I wish I could see it. Are you dressing up for the two items? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Last Thursday was proficiency day for Standard VI, and all the schools round about came. The lower ones had a holiday. I think I made good use of mine. I started in the morning by going the messages. When I came home I had a game- After lunch I helped prepare the fruit for the Christmas cake. I had a saucer to put a little of every kind of fruit in for my brother when he came home. After the cake was put in the oven we went out and gathered strawberries tor tea, and we enjoyed them very much. I will close, wishing you a happy Christmas. GUESS (Palmerston).

[What a good way to spend the day. Guess! I know how happy you felt when you were eating those strawberries, especially as you had earned them.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This time I am going to tell you all about sheep farming. This is a copy of a composition which I wrote when I was In Standard IV at school. The teacher gave me “ Very Good ” for It. " Sheep are the most profitable animals on the farm. Much profit may be derived from the breeding and selling of them and their products. Different breeds of sheep produce different qualities of wool. For instance, Border Lo'cester, English Leicester, Romney Marsh, and Lincoln have long, coarse wool; while finer qualities are obtained from the Southdown, Correldaie. and merino. The lastnamed produces the finest wool known, and the Lincoln the coarsest. During the winter mouths their wool grows rapidly, and keeps them warm at night when they are camped. When the hot weather comes they find their winter coats too hot, so the farmer employs men, called shearers, to shear the sheep. The fleeces, being of different qualities, are classed by the wool-classer into different lots, which are put (into bales and branded according to quality. It Is now ready to be conveyed to the nearest railway station to be railed to market. During the shearing season, monthly wool sales are held, which are attended by buyers from all parts of the world. Having bought the wool, the buyers send It to the woollen mills, where it is cleaned, dressed, and woven into skeins of wool. Then it is ready to be made into garments. Bach year, in order to keep up his flock, the farmer sets aside a number of his best ewes for breeding purposes. When killed, the flesh of the sheep is largely used as food. This flesh Is called mutton. The skin is also made use of; after the wool has been removed from It; it is cured, dyed, and manufactured into a soft, pliable kind of leather, called sheepskin leather. Sometimes, during the lambing season, motherless lambs are found by the shepherd; the mothers having either died or deserted them. The shepherd usually takes these lambs home, where they are fed by hand until they are old enough to return to the flock. These lambs become great pets, and it is marvellous how soon they learn to watch for you, or your coming with their meals. They follow you, no matter where you go, unless they are enclosed in a yard.” Well, Dot, I hope this letter is not too long to be printed as a Best Letter. Love to ail the Little Folk and yourself. A MINER’S SWEETHEART (Kyeburn).

[Yes, it deserves "Very Good,” A Miner's Sweetheart, but I hope it will not start a fashion for school compositions in the page. The card you sent was very pretty, and I thank you for it.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was exalted to see my first letter in print. It makes a little girl feel very important, does it not? The weather up here has been terribly hot, so my little sisters and I went out into a field covered with daisies, and planned to make a daisy chain. Here is a description of how we made it. We picked the daisies, made a wee hole through one, then threaded the other one through the first one. We did this until we made several little chains, which we tied round our own necks and the necks of the puppies. Kindest regards. WIGS (Mount Cargill).

[Yes, it is a pleasant feeling to be in print, Wigs. How happy you all seem to have been in the daisy field! I hope the puppies enjoyed their necklaces. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This Is the continuation of the Golden Fleece. Jason lifted her upon his broad shoulders, and plunged into the raging torrent and was soon up to his waist In water, but his two spears enabled him to retain firm footing. When within a stone’sthrow of the opposite shore, one of his feet became firmly wedged In a niche of a rock, and In his effort to free himself he lost one of his golden sandals. He was very much perplexed over this accident. However, he struggled bravely on until he reached the opposite shore where, looking down, he beheld his bare foot with the golden string still tied round his ankle. Upon setting her down on terra firma he was thunderstruck at the light which shone in her beautiful brown eyes. Indeed, so much did they appeal to him that for a brief moment he thought she was a goddess in disguise, In which respect he was quite correct, for she was none other than the

wife of Jupiter. Bidding her farewell, he resumed his journey in the direction of the kingdom of lolchos. On reaching the outskirts of the town he met a number of people who stared at his strange attire. Annoying, Indeed, was it to poor Jason to be scoffed at over his one sandal. On meeting King Pelias he was made welcome, and was asked his name, and where he had received his education. I will close now, promising to continue my story next week. Love to the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.

A WANDERING JEW (Mount Cargill). [I wonder if the loss of his f sandal played an important part in J aßo ** B life, A Wandering Jew. Be sure that you tell me these stories in your own words. DOT.] * # * *

Dear Dot. —Would you care to come for a ramble through the bush with me? After packing our lunch-bags we proceeded on our journey. As we enter the bush we notice the sweet, balmy air, much different to the air we have left behind. Tall, slender creepers and vines entangled among them. Some common native trees are broadleaf, maple, fusohia, cedar, pine, and elderberry. Here and there are little clumps of ferns. As we walk along through the bush a brown rabbit scurries past us with its tiny white tall up for danger. Now and then we come across bushes of gooseberries and blackberries. Several fallen logs He across our pathway, and we see tiny springs babbling their way over the rough stones. One thing I must not miss out are the birds Life would not be real without birds to brighten us, »wlth their lilting songs of peace and happiness. Among these birds is the tul. with its bell-like notes, ringing out above the others clear and sweet. Some of these are braver than others and come down on the ground, with their hungry mouths readv opened for the first good looking grub that comes their way. Among the tamest of these birds are the tomtits, hopping from branch to branch, and coming to our very feet as if to make friends with us. Well, Dot, as I have tried to describe our journey. I will close, with love. ONE OF MANY (Mount Cargill).

[I am fond of rambling, so I have enjoyed going with you, One of Many. What a number of birds! We are fortunate to have seen so many.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —My story continues thus: Polydectes was highly amused at the clever way he had entrapped the innocent Perseus. Now King Polydectes’s subjects were as cruel as he himself, and jeered at the youth s undertaking. At this time there lived three hideous monsters or gorgons who were sisters, resembling in some slight way women, but in reality a terrible species of dragon. Instead of hair they had a hundred snakes growing on their heads, and it anyone chanced to look at them he was Instantly turned to a stone statue. From this you can see what a wicked undertaking King Polydectes had planned for this innocent young man. It was, therefore, with a heavy heart that he took his shield, girded on his sword, and started on his Journey; As he proceeded on he heard a small, cheery voice behind him say, “Why are you sad, Perseus? ” After explaining his situation to his new-found friend (Quicksilver), he felt much comforted. Quicksilver then bade Perseus polish his shield until It shone like a mirror. Having done this he set off to find the Three Grey Women. Well, Dot, as it is late I will close, with kindest regards. A STRANDED SEAMAN (Dunedin).

[And you, too, are telling mo these tales In your own words, are you not, A Stranded Seaman? I hope poor Perseus does not find hlmselt turned into a stone statue.—DOT.] * * #

Dear Dot, —I am writing this letter to tell you of the “ glory of spring." The first things to peep their heads through the cold, damp earth are flowers such as daffodils, snowdrops, primroses, and violets. The green grass is decked with snow-white daisies and golden buttercups. In the forest the giant trees are covered with clematis and other wild vines. In the cool, shady spots the small ferns grow, and where small trickles of water run grow the small white violet, which has a sweet perfume. Other things of spring are blossoms, rata, mistletoe, and other garden flowers. I will now say “ good-bye ” to Dot and her Little Folk. GUILDA ROSE (Lyell). [I have liked hearing about the glory of spring, Guilda Rose, especially the part telling of the white violets. Do you often visit the bush at springtime?—DOT.] # ♦ sk Dear Dot. —-One day ray brother and I were eating dates outside, and were throwing tho stones on the garden. Next time mum was digging the garden she dug them up, and they all had little sprouts on them. PEACHBUD* (Dunedin). [That is what I call a real adventure, Peachbud. Would they have become date palms later on, I wonder? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about Saturday afternoon. Louis and his playmate and I went to the baths. We had great fun. The girls went in before the boys, and I was in the water when Herbert and Louis came In to get undressed. Herbert lent me his float, and I can do one btroko ’ MUM’S HELP (Dunedin).

[Good for you, Mum’s help ! If you can do one stroke you will soon be able to do two and three. What a pleasant afternoon ! —DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot,—Are you ready? All right, come along, but mind you do not trip over roots or stumps. See that small , track over there? W 7 eli, that is the one we shall take. There are lovely ferns growing on either side of it, and they look so fresh and cool. The sun is shining brightly through the thick foliage of the trees, and makes patches of gold upon the ground. Listen to the sound of that stream as it winds its way in and out among the trees. It sounds like the tinkling of bells, does it not? And can you see that starry-like piece of clematis clinging to the tree-tops? Here is a large lawyer bush in flower. They have • a lovely scent, and the berries are good to eat when they are ripe, but the lawyer itself is not pleasant to sit near.- Mind it does not pull your hair or tear your dress. We shall sit down on this moss-covered log and have a rest. Are not the notes of the bell-bird lovely? And, listen! there’s another one answering its call. 1 think its song is more appealing than the bird Itself, Can you hear that rifleman, too? His faint, zeep, zeep, zeop, can not be heard far away, so it must bo near. We will take this track now, which will bring us in a roundabout way out into the open again. Oh ! listen to the tui. Yes, look, there it is on that kowhal tree. What a lovely purplish tinge its feathers have when the sun shines on them, and look at the way it puffs out its white tuft of feathers. We will soon be home now, as I can see the opening in the trees. Well, good-bye, I hope you have enjoyed our ramble in the bush. Kindest regards. MERELY MARY ANN (Palmerston). [Thank you, Merely Mary Ann. What a fine number of walks I am being taken tor lately. But there is always something fresh to see and hear, so I enjoy them all. Again thanking you.—DOT.] # sje ❖ Dear Dot, —I am writing a short note to you about our two pet lambs. Every morning and night just as we are finishing milking they come rambling over to the shed to get a drink of fresh milk. The older one is the smaller, and the younger one is the bigger. The older one is called Joan, and the younger one is named Darby. When we play tennis on the back lawn they follow us everywhere we run. I shall close now, wishing you and your Little Polk a merry Christmas. BLUE BELL OP IDLE PINES (Henley). [I wish I could see Darby and Joan trying to learn the moves In tennis, Blue Bell of Idle Pines. They must be very amusing Indeed.—DOT.) * * *

Dear Dot, —His Majesty’s was particularly well filled the other Saturday night on the occasion of a recital by a local school of dancing; which event was of much interest to me, owing to the inclusion on the programme of a considerable number of ballets ranging from the supreme classical grace and beauty of “ Faust ” to the amazing modernity of a very striking piece of work entitled “ Radio Land.” Recitals such as this are all too rare. The dancing school which entertained us on this occasion had previously confined its public appearances to entries at the competitions and dance interludes in some local operatic performances ("Faust” and ” Les Cloches de Cornville” for instance), and so, with a whole evening of ballot was very welcome. Now, a true ballet might be referred to as an opera in which everything is danced, just as we might describe a grand opera as a play in which everything is sung. A ballet must have a story, however slight, and must be complete in itself. There should be a definite scene, and one or two principal characters to stand out. A ballet conforming with all these stipulations of mine was that very exciting and altogether outstanding work called “Fire! in which we saw a street with a dainty little house on one side. At the back was a sort of collection of firemen’s ladders lashed to a platform, upon which the firemen presently performed various evolutions. The first part • of the ballet consisted of vigorous exercises by the firemen under their captain, when suddenly the house caught fire (we didn’t actually see it, but it was well suggested) and a distressed damsel appeared at the window. A most realistic fire engine arrived, the captain dashed into the house to save the lady, and it ;s only natural that this fine little piece ended with the “ Wedding March ” and the captain driving off with his beloved in the fire engine. This is more than enough, however, and next time I may describe some ether outstanding ballets in this very interesting recital. CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedin). [I hope you will, Charles Dickens, for it was an outstandingly good recital. I like the way you interest yourself in theatrical productions, and agree with the view you have expressed in this letter. —DOT.)

Dear Dot, —Many children are writing to say that they do not approve of the “Best Letter ” campaign, I think it is a great idea it encourages us to write good letters, and I think you are a good judge, for tiie letters that appear from week to week are very good indeed. Just now I am making a blue frock, oh no, not my first, my second. It Is a dear wee frock (in my opinion anyway). It Is of “summer

breeze ” in a blue design, and is going to have a Peter Pan collar, big puff sleeves, a plain bodice, and a gored skirt. When I first started it, I was on the skirt and I broke the needle in the machine, and as we did not have a needle to fit, my sewing was held up until somebody ran down the street for some more. SALOMY JANE (Milton).

[Thank you for your encouragement, Salomy Jane. I greatly appreciate it. You are going to be very proud of your blue dress, I think, especially as you made it yourself.—DOT.] sjc V ...

Dear Dot, —We have a little calf, and it Is red and white. We have had a holiday for the show. We went 10 miles in the car to the show grounds. I ran in a race and came second. It was a lovely day, and I enjoyed ray ice creams. I will close now. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. ANOTHER BILLY BOY (Moa Creek). [After a race an ice cream tasted delicious, does it not, Another Billy Boy, especially if it is a • race in which a person comes second? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I must thank you very much for the kind birthday greetings you sent me. I am very glad our holidays are drawing near, as we will be' going for picnics, and I enjoy picnics. At present, we have a very large family of little ducklings. Two ducks set themselves and brought out 22, and the other two brought out 17, and then there are six big ones, making 45 altogether. They look lovely on the pond. I don’t suppose you see very much hay in Dunedin. We have a lot and so have the neighbours, while my grandfather has a big square stack of hay. It has been splendid weather for hay-making. I love the smell of newly-mown hay. I have a big dog and his name is Glen. When he was a little pup we had a hard job to find our hats or boots, or anything that was in his reach. I will close now, wishing all the Little Folk and your own dear self the compliments of the season. GRANNY’S DADE (Kakanui).

[You must tell me about some of your picnics. Granny's Dade- How well the ducks did for themselves ! Did Glen assist in the hay-making?—DOT.] * * #

Dear Dot, —I am sorry I have not written sooner. This time I am going to tell you about a spider and a fly. One day I noticed that a spider had stretched its web across the outside of our kitchen window. The spider, when I saw it, was crawling up from the bottom of the web with something between its front legs, which I afterwards found to be a fly. How It struggled bravely to carry its burden to a corner of the window, and, as it was blowing a strong wind at the time, it made the climbing ever so much more difficult. Little by little the gallant spider carried his burden upwards. Every moment or two he rested, turning the fly to get a better grip, and sometimes spinning some more silken thread round his victim's body. At last, after about twenty minutes’ hard work, the spider reached his goal—more than a foot away. How heavy the fly must have seemed to the spider, as the poor dead fly was nearly the size of Its captor! Like men and beasts, insects can stand up to hardships, and teach us that, although the work may bo hard, if we keep on trying we can succeed. I would like you to know that Tokahaere and I think It is good fun trying our best to write a “ Best Letter.” I don't think I would cry very much if my letter was not printed. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. NGA-PUKE-MAEROERO (Te Houka). [Good Little Folk, Nga-Puke-Mneroero! That is the sort of attitude I like. Your spider story contains a good moral for the Little Folk page, and one not difficult to discover. —DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot,—l hope you will forgive rue for being so long before writing, but I have been in the Dunedin and Baiclutha Hospitals for nearly two months. The first time I was in Dunedin, Mr White operated on my foot, and afterwards I was sent out to Baiclutha till it was time to take the stitches out. The Manager and I were beside each other there. This time I did not need to have chloroform, and so, as I could watch what the doctors did, I thought I would tell you how it was done. I was taken into the theatre, where Mr White was going to put the plaster on. Taking hold of my foot, he twisted it round In the position he wanted. First, they wrapped cotton wool round the foot until it was all softly padded. That was held in place by a bandage, which seemed to be made of a coarse net. After that process was done, the doctors began putting the plaster on. -Canvas bandages were then soaked in the plaster mixture, and bound firmly round the foot. When that was finished, the doctor smoothed it with his hands, so that it would not tear the sheets. I was then put to bed, where I had to stay until my plaster was dry. This time it was dried by two hot water bottles, one on each side of the foot. If there is a big lot of plaster to dry, a cage, fitted with nine electric lights, three along each side and three along the top, Is placed over the patient. I am now at home for three months, waiting to go back to Dunedin to have the plaster broken. As It is nearly Christmas time, I will wish you and the Little Folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. TOKAKAERB (Te Houka). [I should not bo surprised if you were some day a doctor yourself, Tokahaere, when you can take so real an Interest in your own operations. I hope that when the plaster comes off you will be none the worse for your experience, and will be able to make up for all this lost time in all sorts of climbing and running games.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Christmas is nearly here. 1 am making my Christmas presents now. Are you making yours too? I went to the Hillside Railway Gardening Club Show on Friday night. The flowers were beautiful. There were roses, sweet peas, sweet william, double Canterbury bells, snapdragons, and many others. I liked the roses best, The faneywork was charming. I put my tablecentre in, and won third prize for It. There is only a certificate given this time, ns It Is the club’s first show. The next one Is In February. I will close, with kindest regards to the Little Folk and yourself. WEST COAST FERN (Green Island).

[The show sounds as if it were a great success, West Coast Fern, and you did very well in it. Your certificate is quite as valuable as a prize.—DOT.] ■

Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about our two tame pigeons, which fly around all day long. One day as I was sitting out in the sun watching the pigeons, I saw a piece of straw in the father pigeon's beak. He flew down to the cage and took it in. While he was away, I had a look in his cage, and what did I see! A nest made of sticks! The next morning when I looked into the nest, I saw one little egg lying in it. This egg was laid by the mother pigeon. The next morning there were two eggs, and the mother pigeon was sitting on them. They took two weeks and. two days to hatch. The chickens look very ugly little things. GRAN'S FAVOURITE GIRL (Lyell)/

[What a dear little home-making, Gran's Favourite Girl. Soon the babies will stop being ugly, and will delight you with their pretty ways.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about the birds. On our summer house we had four eggs with brown spots on them, so mother said it must be a thrush’s nest. I was not quite sure, because when the little birds came out of the eggs they looked very much like blackbirds. When they grew bigger, one came down and was hopping in the grass. My brother, coming along, saw it and went to put it in a sate place, because he thought the dogs might get it, but as soon as he picked it up it cried for its mother, then he put it down, and just then a great big brown bird came out and scolded him. It was the mother bird. She then took the little bird up to its nest, and then flew away to get some worms for her children. Well, I had better close now, as it is bedtime. But I must tell you my mother has given me this poem to send too. It is called " The New Nest." I would not destroy its beauty and charm, The nest which was made to keep from harm Four little feathered happy friends. I welcome each spring, the gift God sends. —Lottie Frame. A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your Little Folk. APPLE PETAL (Oaraaru). [You love birds, I see, Apple Petal, and so does your mother. Did you draw the puss on your letter? Because the naughty pet has just told me that he loves birds too! DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I do not think there are many animals that do not own a voice of some kind, but the giraffe, that may be seen on stamps from Nyassa, a Portuguese colony in Africa, owns the distinction of having no voice. The giraffe’s long legs come in very useful when it comes to escaping from a lion or tiger, and its long neck enables it to keep a good look out on the surrounding country. Its long neck may be useful as a watch-tower, but it is awkward when it has to stoop to drink and crop grass, but it does not need to do that very often, as it gets plenty of moisture from the young, green leaves that it eats. One of the best known stamps amongst collectors is the Sudan camel stamp. It shows a camel trotting across a desert with an Arab on Its back holding a rifle and two spears, and two mall bags on the saddle. This stamp was designed by Captain, who is now Colonel E. A. Stanton, who was then attached to the Egyptian army, and it was issued in 1898. It is said that he got his inspiration from the camel-rider poster advertising Treloar’s oriental rugs. The camel is a very useful animal, as it can live on the fat inside its hump when it is travelling across the waterless deserts, but It is very bad tempered, and will snap at anything that goes too close. There are two kinds of camels; the Arabian one, that has only one hump, and the Bactrian camel, of Central Asia, that has two humps.

A YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER (Dunedin). [Strange, interesting animals. A Young New' Zealander! I wonder if the little folk in the countries where the stamps are issued know as much about them as you do.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Seeing Christmas is drawing near, I thought I should write to you. Wo have just finished our examinations at school, and we are busy practising for our concert on December 20. The following day we have a picnic at school, and have our prize books given to us. We also have races, and a scramble of lollies, and then, for a jolly time for the rest of the holidays. I suppose numbers of Little Folk are going away from home for the holidays. Well, Dot, I will close, wishing you and your Little Folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Y'ear. JESSIE COMB AGAIN (Shotover).

[You should enjoy yourself at the concert and picnic, Jessie Come Again, and I hope you will tell me about then later on. Best wishes for the holidays.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Thank you for the name for my cat. We are breaking up from school on Wednesday, December 19. I am going for a holiday to Waitahuna when we have our holidays, so I shall have a good time. When we break up at school, we nave a play, and I am in it. As it is late, I will stop, with best of wishes to yourself. SPEEDWAY SUE [Dunedin).

[What excitement. Speedway Sue! I hope you will tell me all about it later on. Is the play an interesting one?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have the sheep shorn now. The weather is very hot, so I think the sheep will feel much better with their fleeces off. They must feel very hot with the heat. I have not gathered any birds’ eggs this year, but now I wish I had, as the blackbirds will not leave the fruit alone. As space is precious, I will close, wishing you and the Little Folk a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. YOUNG MINER (Manuka). [I, am sure that the sheep like to take their overcoats off just as people do, Young Minor. What ever shall I say to you about the blackbirds!—-DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I expect you are looking forward to Christmas. lam too. lam the only girl at home, for my sister Is away to Christchurch for her holidays, and I think she Is very lucky. We have finished our examinations, and are practising for the concert at school. The weather has been very hot, and we have been spending much time In the baths, I am learning to swim.' Our garden Is looking well, but is needing rain. The places all round here had it. but we have not. I wish you a merry Christmas.

HILDA THE BROWNIE (Tapanui). [Are you taking part in the concert. Hilda the Brownie? The baths are delightful in this weather. How the garden would like a taste of them ! —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —One of my school friends Is staying with mo for a few weeks, and we are having a good time together. We walked twelve miles to the nearest store the other day, and were terribly sunburnt when, we reached home. Mum is in bed sick to-day, so my friend and I are chief cooks,, and it is a great job. Love to yourself and all the Little Folk. TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY (Oamaru).

[I can Imagine what a good time you are both having, and how you liked looking after mother that day. Teas of the Storm Country. She would be glad of your help. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Christmas will soon be here again, and the children will be having their break-up. At home my brother has ten little ducklings, and another duck and hen set on eggs, which are due to hatch any day now. Wo also have four little Jersey calves. Could you please give us names for them? They are heifers. The harvest will soon be hero. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. SALT SPRINKLER (Dunedin). [Call the calves Amy, Beth, Meg and Joe, Salt Sprinkler, after the March famfly in “ Little Women." Are you going away for Christmas?—DOT.] OLD WRITERS’ WEEK. Owing to the conditions under which Dot’s page is now conducted, the amount of space given to Old Writers’ Week in the past Is not now available. On January 7, however, provision will be made in the Otago Dally Times for the publication of as many letters of the Old Writers as can conveniently bo inserted. Old Writers are Invited to send in their contributions as soon as possible, as no letters will he accepted after December 22. The letters this year must necessarily bo shorter than in the past, owing to the fact that space will not allow of the publication of lengthy ones, and that all letters must appear in the one Issue (January 7). It is hoped that there will be a generous response to this invitation, and that the third appearance of the Old Writers' letters in the Otago Daily Times will bo a record one, and of interest and benefit to all. DOT.

URGENT. Dear Old Writers, —It Is now Monday, December 17, and in five days it will be Saturday, the 22nd, the last day on which your letters for our reunion of January I may be sent in. What will you say to mo when 1 tell you that, so fan - , I have received only 33 letters from you, and that last year there were 120? Perhaps you are particularly busy this year and have no time to write for Old Writers’ Week. And yet, are you really so busy as all that? Could you not each send In one letter, as short as you please, as long at it is another letter to add to our number? I would not appeal to you so earnestly if I were not deeply concerned about the matter. For now, you have a tradition to live up to, and as the Little Folk page has established itself In the Otago Daily Times, where it occupies a wellread and respected place, so have you established yourselves among a new reading public, which looks with critically Interested eyes towards an event ever growing more significant to It —Old Writers’ Week. Last year’s reunion was a tremendous triumph; but It set a standard which will have to be lived up to. And only you can keep it high. So much depends upon whether Old Writers’ Week is a failure or a success every year, apart altogether from the fact that you are heroes and heroines to the Little Folk, and I do hope you will each feel your responsibility In the matterl Short letters, but many letters to swell our roll call—these are what are needed. Please send them quickly, Old Writer friends, and remove this anxiety from ray mind—for what can I do if you do not stand by me? Your worried DOT. OLD WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the committee of the Old Writers' Association on December 19, 1933, it was decided to hold a reunion during Winter Show Week in June, 1936, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Dot’s Little Folk page. It was further decided that, there should bo a nominal fee of one shilling for membership, and that anyone, whether an Old Writer or not, desirous of making a donation could do so, all subscriptions and donations, accompanied by name, address, and nom de plume, to be acknowledged In the Little Folk's page fortnightly after being received by the secretary at her address. 24 Jackson street. St. Kilda, Dunedin.

OLD WRITERS’ NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Writers Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay. 24 Neldpath road, Mornlngton Dunedin); and Morning Star, honorary secretary (Mrs ) Hines, 24 Jackson' street, St Hilda, Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete a register of patt and present Old Writers In connection with the jubilee In 1936. Either would be pleased to hear from any willing to supply names addresses, and noms de plume, and, where possible, year of Aral writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will he made periodically in this column.

OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page (or the first time this week Mickey's Playmate, Pixie of the Glen, Muriel May, Motor Boy, Sunny Sailor Girl, The Black Knight’s Squire. NOTES. Golden Sunbeam.—Your calendar is a charming one. Thank you very much for it, DOT. * * * Quaker Literary Scholar.—Thank you for your offer. I shall speak about it later. , DOT. LITTLE FOLK’S LETTER BOX. As the Little Folk inserting the following requests do not know the addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond. It la necessary that those companions should send the flrst letter. DOT # ¥ O Sunny Sailor Girl (Ruby E. Kesson, Fuchsia Creek, Oamaru) wishes Little Folk about 15 years of age to correspond with her. ’r V A Lass from Wattle-Land [Sylvia Duck, Avon, South Australia) would like pen friends 13 to 16 years old interested in anything. * * * Salomy Jane (Kathleen Kreft, Burns street, Milton) would like pen friends 15 to 16 years old interested in swimming, bicycleriding, and dressmaking. A Wandering Jew (Victor Robinson, Mount Cargill, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with any overseas Little Folk between the ages of 12 and 13. * * Blue Bell of Idle Pines (Merrin M. Wilson, Henley) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk girl between the ages of 14 and

Black Shadow (Jean Thomas, Georgetown) would like to correspond with Little- Folk girls between the ages of 10 and 12. 't' Y *,* Tess of the Storm Country (Tess Cabral, “ Sprlngbank,” private bag, Oamaru) would like any Little Folk from 15 to 16 to correspond with her. * « * Salt Sprinkler [Annie Wilson, c/o Mrs Morrison, 16 Elder street, Dunedin) would like to correspond with Little Folk between the ages of 18 and 21.