Dots Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22629, 22 July 1935, Page 15

Dots Little Folk

THE WEEK"S POEM. I do not think I have given you any poem! about the moon recently, children, so hen are two, pretty ones—" The Lost Playmate ' and " The White Window." II you are lone of the moon (and I think most chlldrer are) you will like these charming, delicati pieces. DOT. *-* * ■ THE LOST PLAYMATB. All in the pleasant afternoon I saw a pretty baby moon, And oh! I loved Its silver shln«i It was a little friend o£ mine. Through rainy days and sunny weather I thought we two should grow together; But then, alas! I did not know How fast a little moon can grow. And now when I go out to play I cannot find the moon all day; But she has grown so big and bright They let her keep awake all night! Though I may not sit up to see, In bed she comes and smiles at me; But oh! I miss the little moon Who played there In the afternoon. —Abbie Farwell Brows. * * * \ THE WHITE WINDOW. V The-, moon comes every night to peep Through the window where I lie; But I pretend to be asleep, And watch the moon go slowly by —And she never makes a sound! She stands and stares! And then she goes To the house that's next to me. Stealing by on tippy-toes; To peep at folk asleep maybe —And she never makes a sound I —James Stephens.

WEAVERS OF-WORDS. Thialfl proves himself no use as a runner, my Little Folk, and Thor ia equally feeble as a drinker. He cannot lift the giant's cat, and is asked to wrestle with an old How this turns out you will have to wait till next week before hearing. Poor proud Thor! DOT. * * * THOR AND THE GlANTS.—(Continued.) But here also the gods were beaten, for ere Thtalfi reached the turning post he met Hugin skimming goalwards. Three times they ran, and each time was Thialfl beaten. "And thou, Ase Thor? Is there naught that thou canst do?" the king asked. • " I can drink with the best," Thor said, gruffly. " Bring my horn," ordered the king, and they brought In a long thin vessel. " See, a good drinker can empty this at one draught, most take two, only the poor and weak need three." Thor smiled, for, long as it was, It seemed but a narrow horn. Drawing breath, he pulled long and deep, but there was no difference in the height of the liquor. Again he drank, and still it was full. In anger he tried once more, then handed back the brimming hqrn. The king laughed. " Even the tallest and strongest of the gods is a poor thing beside us giants." -Then Thor put aside his ill-humour and laughed also. ' *' Such a draught as I have drunk is reckoned great with us of Asgard. Try me with strength, O King." As he spoke a large iron-coloured cat sprang into the middle of the hall. , " Lift my cat/* said the king. Ving-Thor went forward and, putting his hands under the cat, strove to raise it. The beast's back arched, and it spat and growled, but only one paw left the ground. Thor drew back tired and breathless, while the king laughed again and.shook his head. " Little Thor, little Thor, thou art Indeed small! " ■"■ " I can wrestle," said Thor grimly, " try me at that." The giant looked around. " There Is none here small enough to close with thee. Call my nurse, Hel." The crowd parted to let pass an old crone, tottering and toothless. / " For shame," said Thor, drawing bade, " I cannot touch an aged woman." • " Try her. She hath floored many a better man, than thou." (To be concluded.) THE SIX SEFTONS.

Something to Amuse the Younger Little Folk. CHAPTER VII.—BERRY'S DAY: THE CONCERT. After that morning Wag-tall was not again referred to. Jacko had punished himself quite enough already, and, except for the fact (hat added care and .affection were lavished on Corner-eye, no difference was made in the Seftons' attitude to either the menagerie 1 —Mai included—or Jacko himself. Besides,, there was Berry's birthday and the concert to be given in the Greek theatre, so there was no time left for reproaches. The theatre was really rather wonderful. Mr Sefton said it might have been made specially for. the occasion, for it was a hollow with sheep-trodden slopes around three of its sides, exactly like a stage overlooked by a gallery, and at the fourth side—the back of the stage you might say—were clumps of tussocks and a great patch of purple,thistles making as perfect a background as anyone could wish for. As soon as they saw it Eldie, Starlle, and Berry had wanted to dance in it. Then Starlie had thought out the exciting plan of giving a concert on Berry's birthday, and asking the Chossies to come and bring their friends, and also some silver, coins to be thrown to the performers and later sent to a fund for wounded soldiers, and strange to say the idea had met with parental approval. Brotherly approval, however, had been harder to get. Punch, even for his twin's sake, had been loath to give his time to rehearsing for a concert, and Pepin had positively to. be bullied into submission. Jacko's attitude you already know about. Eventually, however, everything was managed, and rehearsals went steadily ahead. When Berry woke to find herself nine years old, the concert was all ready for the afternoon's audience.

It was fun being nine in the country, Berry thought. You opened your eyes to find Starlie bending over you and tickling your nose with a piece of straw, and Eldie, on the stretcher beneath the window, smiling at you and murmuring " Many happy returns of the day" before turning over to go to sleep again. You found that you received presents Just as if you were in town, because they had been brought in readiness for the occasion, and that once again you were a year nearer to ten-year-old Punch and Starlie and one year further away from six-year-old Jacko. During the morning a cart drove up from the station and delivered fruit and cakes from the city and a can of cream from " The Pines." And after that there was arranging the feast for the afternoon—in the shed of all places, because it was the only room big enough to hold all the people who were coming—and helping to cut the fruit into salads and whip the cream. Never was a. birthday morning more gay and busy. (To be continued.)

TO ALL. Dear Little Folk, —Here Is a little story •with a moral for, you:—There was once a boy with an inquiring mind who refused to take anything for granted. Somebody once feald to him, " Never buy sausages on a Monday"; but this seemed so silly an order that he went off at once and bought half a pound, only to find that they were stale through having been in the shop over the week-end. So after that he was willing to obey when he was told " Never buy sausages on a Monday." - But he had had to find out the reason for the order first.

Well, he grew up—still with an inquiring mind, and still unable to take anything on its face value —and made a great fortune in the process. It was a precious fortune, and he was tremendously proud of it. But, as he did not wish to spend it by himself, he looked around for somebody with whom he could share it. All sorts of people came to offer themselves. They were good enough people in their way, too; but our hero would have none of them because somehow or other they did not quite come up to his idea of what the person who was to share his fortune should be like.

Then at last, to his great joy, he met somebody who, like himself, had an inquiring mind, and who, when told " Never buy sausages on a Monday," would not be satisfied until the reason for so strange an order was known to him. So our hero said, " I shall train this one, and then share my fortune with him. That is what I shall do! " —and set about doing it. Well —and now we are coming to the moral —the time arrived when our hero was satisfied with his apprentice. He called him and said, " Good man! You will do very well. I am pleased with you. You were not quite what I wanted, I must confess. Indeed, to begin with, you were all wrong; I could not possibly have accepted you on your face value. But now that I have trained you I have made you as I want you to be. So you may share my fortune with me and live happily ever after. How about it? " And do you know what happened? The apprentice sai'd, "Well, sir, I've been your apprentice, and I've liked that because I've been doing something all the time; but

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when it comes to accepting fortunes—no, sir! I could never accept a fortune on its face value. I'd rather try first to make a fortune for myself, because that's the way with me. Sorry, sir," and off he went. Our hero wa3 quite astonished. He was also much disappointed because he had grown used to the apprentice, and liked having him around. But very soon he saw how it was, and began to laugh. And he said, "Of course! That is why I was so fond of him. His mind was like my own mind—inquiring and having to find out for itself. Of course; he couldn't accept a fortune before trying to make one for himself no matter how splendid a fortune the one I am offering him is! Yes! Good man!" and laughed even more approvingly.

So the moral, children, is that as long as you have an inquiring mind you will have an inquiring mind, and, just as it will not let you stop buying sausages on a Monday, unless you know the reason why you should not do so, so it will not let you accept somebody else's fortune before you have given yourself a chance of trying to make a fortune of your own. In other words, a really questioning person will take nothing on. Its face value, no matter how wonderful it may seem to be. What do you think about the matter?—Your loving, DOT.

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK. Motu.—W* writ* far the bentflt at atktri. ast far auri«lT*i. FIRST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 19 years of age, ankl have been reading your page and liking it very much. I live on the farm, but will tell you more next time. Love to all the ■ Little Folk and yourself. RED ROSE WREATH (Tuapeka West). [You are welcome, Red Rose Wreath, but have had to have your name altered. I shall like hearing about the farm.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band ? I am 13 and am in Form 111. I read your very interesting page, and enjoy it immensely. Do you like stamps? They seemv to hold a fascinating charm,, for one grows very much interested in them. Would you please get me an Australian correspondent so that I can exchange a few stamps. As , this is my first letter I will close. SPARK PLUG (Balclutha). [You are welcome. Spark Plug. Write to Kathleen Lynch, Kewell North, via Murtoa, Victoria.—DOT.] # * * Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 12 years old and am in Standard VI at school. I go to the Conical Hills School, which Is a mile and a-half from our home. Love to the Little Folk and your own dear self. THE FIRST SNOWDROP (Otago).

[Welcome to The First Snowdrop, whoso name has had to be altered. Are you fond of school?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I read your page every Monday, and find your letters very interesting. lam 12 years old and am in Standard VI. Love to Little Folk and yourself. DAFFODILS IN SPRING (Otago).

[Certainly you may join, Daffodils in Spring. Why do you think tho letters are interesting?—DOT. J * * * Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am in Standard V, and have two and a-half miles to go to school. My sister Lazy Daisy Chain is writing to your page. I have two sisters and one brother. My brother is not going to school yet, as he is only five. Well, Dot, as this is my first letter to your page I will close, with love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself. CARNATION CORONET (Conical Hills). [You are welcome, dear, but your name has had to be altered to Carnation Coronet. I should like to hear more about your brother.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I like reading your interesting page every Monday. I am 10 years old and in Standard IV at school. I have two and a-half miles to go to school every morning. I play basketball. As this is my first letter I will close.* Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. LAZY DAISY CHAIN (Conical Hills). [Lazy Daisy Chain also is welcome, but has also had to have her name altered. Do you walk or ride to school?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Please s may I join your increasing band? I havo a black cat called Nigger and a Scotch terrier named Cluny. He used to give Nigger a hard timo by pulling him round by the ears, but now Nigger stands up for himself. I was going to put Cluny In the Invercargill Show, but I was too j late. He is a good rabbiter. I got him j from Oamaru. As this is my first letter i I will close. | PANSY POSY (Woodlands). | [You will tell- me more about Nigger and I Cluny later on, will you not, Pansy Posy, whose name has had to be changed a little. I —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please may I join your band ' of Little Folk? I am nine and am in Standard 111 at school. I have a baby brother, 10 months old, and I mind him for mother when she is busy. As this is my first letter I think I had better close, with love to all the Little Folk and your I own dear self. I APPLE BLOW FAIRY (Chatto Creek). I [You ,are welcome, Apple Blow Fairy, ' but I have'had to alter your name a little, j What a dear baby brother. —DOT.] ■ # * * | Dot,—Plea.se may I join your band I of Little Folk? I am eight years old and am in Standard. 11. I have a horse called Dot BUSH RANGER 808 (Balclutha). [Will you tell me about my namesake, Bush Ranger Bob, who is welcome as a Little Folk?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am writing to ask you If you would add my name to your large list of correspondents. I am 12 years old and in Standard IV. I save cigarette tickets. I am very much interested in the saving of stamps, and have a considerably good collection. As this is my first letter I will close now, with love to you. i HOMELESS HECTOR (Cromwell). •!

[I am pleased to welcome you, Homeless Hector, and to know that your collections are growing so well.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am seven years old and in Standard I. I go to the Maori Hill School, and like it very much. This is my first letter, so I must close, with love to all the happy band and your dear self. DADDY BOY (Dunedin). [Daddy Boy is welcome, and will, I hope, tell me more about himself next time he writes.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 10 years old and In Standard IV. I am, staying with my grandmother at Moa Creek, and I have a sister and brother both younger than I. Well, Dot, as this is my first letter I will close, with love to all your Little Folk and your own- dear self.- < PAMELA'S COUSIN (Omakau). [Yes, Pamela's Cousin, you may join. Will you tell me about staying with grandmother?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band? I am 13 years of age and in Standard V at school. I live next to the school. I have one sister, who is 19 years of age. We played Henley at basketball, and they beat us by nine points to seven. There was a big basketball and football tournament held here on Saturdav. I shall close, with kindest regards to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. DUCHESS OF KENT (Berwick). [Your Koyal Highness is welcome, Duchess of Kent. Are you in the basketball team?— DOT.] * v * Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of .Little Folk? I am seven years old and am in Standard I. I like school very much. I am staying with my grandmother at Moa Creek, so my auntie is writing this letter for me. Well, Dot, as this is my flr3t letter, I will close, with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. GRANDFATHER'S GIRL (Omakau). [I am pleased to welcome you, Grandfather's Girl. What subjects at school do you enjoy most? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please may I join your everincreasing band? I am 14 years of age. and have left school. I stay at home, and like it very much. I enjoy reading your page, and think there are some very interesting letters in it. I am very fond of knitting, sewing, and gardening. I have two sisters, both younger than myself, one of whom is a member of your merry band.

I am a friend of Mistress Mary and Wild Primrose. As this is my first letter I shall close, with best love to your merry band of Little Folk and your own dear self. ORANGE BLOSSOM GARLAND (Kurow). [I am pleased to welcome you, Orange Blossom Garland, but I have had to alter your name. Tell me about your garden, will you?—DOT.] BEST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —I have just returned from an enjoyable holiday spent in Southland. One of the most interesting places I visited was the Waimea Homestead, a beautiful old house situated on the Waimea Plains. A friend and 1 decided to visit this pretty spot one sunny afternoon, and although we found it in a sad state of disrepair, it appeared all i the more beautiful and rare because of this fact. There is a lovely long drive up to the I gates through tall, majestic pines, and the i brown leaves seemed a carpet beneath our : feet as we wound our way along the winding path. Then very suddenly we beheld the old place itself, almost entirely enveloped in ivy. It was surrounded by a large terrace with an ancient fountain outside the main entrance. Then we ventured inside, the floor rocked beneath our weight, and some of the rooms were completely rotted with age. My friend and I possess quite good imaginations, and as we gazed at the solid oak staircase we imagined wo saw the lords and ladies of long ago coming down the stairs to dine in the huge dining room below, or to the ballroom, which was said to have had enormous mirrors inlaid on the wall, its only ornament now being a wealth of ivy creeping in the sunlit window which extends right across the upper end of the room. The balcony was perhaps the most charming, for from it one could view the once well-kept lawns, the orchard, the servants' quarters, and the little cottage where the gamekeeper was said to have lived.. It is now occupied by people who own a sawmill, and are cutting down all the trees we admired so on our arrival. How barren It will be and how much beauty will be lost when the trees are gone forever. I would like to have known the people who lived in this bewitching homo. An old Identity of Waimea informed me that an aristocrat with a title from England built it after the same style as his home in the Old Country. Perhaps he did, but if not, well our imagination sufficed, because for one short hour we lived In the land of make-believe, in an age of lavender ■ and old lace. Kind regards to yourself and l Little Folk.

MURIEL MAY (Dunedin)

[What a beautiful old place it must be, Muriel May. I do not know its history, but I am sure your imagination was good to it and gave it a past in keeping -with its beauty.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Have you ever heard of those fortunate people who have the "gift of green fingers? " They are folk who go definitely out to seek something, and who look and ilnd because their instinct leads them to the right place. They are not surprised when they find a sleeping hedgehog or a baby rabbit where other persons have noticed nothing. The flowers in their room keep tresh, the seeds that they plant flourish, and they never make mistakes with colours, for the gift has a magical influence. Anyone may have the gift. There was a poor old crippled woman, so I'm told, who had this gift. She had withered cheeks, hands knotted with rheumatism, and eyes that could not see clearly. Yet in spite of all these drawbacks her window In the slum where she lived gave happiness to many. Her bulbs bloomed with a freshness and beauty none could understand. Her little poor home was bright and happy. Her secret lay in her toil-worn rheumatic hands. Therein lay the "gift of green fingers." Do you not like this idea of the gift of green fingers, Dot? It is a pretty little idea with a fairy-i tale touch,. I think. I

LITTLE PLEASURE (Balclutha)

[I like it very much, Little' Pleasure, and shall see it I have any such green-fingered persons in my circle of friends. I like the way you have written about it,.too.—DOT.] *' # * Dear Dot, —I have not written to you for a long time, but I am going to tell you about a cows' meeting. One day when mv two sisters and I were up the hill at the back of our place there were three cows and a calf all standing in a row except the calf. One ot my sisters leant over the calf s back and Haid, " Now, ladies and gentlemen, we " but did not finish it, for one of the cows looked at the others, and they all went away. Love to you and your Little 1' oik.

APPLE PETAL (Oamaru). [How charming, Apple 'Petal! I have greatly enjoyed hearing about it. Please write me another letter soon as refreshing as this one.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am writing to tell you about our school district. It is fairly hilly in some places and flat in others. There is a range of mountains called the Blue Mountains. At tho bottom of these mountains there is a river called the Pomah,aka River, which is beautiful with weeping willows. THE FLOWING MISSISSIPPI (Poma-h-ka). [lt sounds delightful, The Flowing Mississippi, and is, I am sure, a place where you are glad to be living.—DOT.] * * * r D P, ar Dot '—As I did not write last week I will make this letter as interesting as I can. Ijirst of all I will tell you that I gave Kitty to Blue Jem. Kitty feels at home, and likes Blue Jem. Love to you and your happy band. LEITH LADY (Dunedln). [Maybe the letter could havo been a little e t... Lel i h , Lady ' l am Slad to know mat Kitty is In such good keeping.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot,—l am going to tell you about some excitement I had the other night. Mother and father were out, and I was dong the disheß. We have a-clothes horse inside, on which we hang tho clothes In wet wdather. As I washed tho dishes I I pushed the lamp under the line, not noticing how close the globe of the lamp was to some sheets which were hanging there. My little sister was sitting on a chair painting when she asked if I could smell anything | When I told her that I could not she i£ I sisted that she could smell something. I had ;n S thl U J n .* d and P' cked "P the dishwater j to throw t out, when my sister cried out for jme to look at tho line. I set the dish down, I and gave a horrified cry. There above our heads was a sheet blazing merrily. I did J?n°L,° t S lv, a " lom , ent - , x leaped to the table, caught the burning sheet, and pulled it from tho line. Vainly I tried to beat out the flames, which were gaining rapidly. Scarcely Suw?? Wha 4, X dit V I Plunwd & into the dishwater. When I took the remains of 8 ] 1661 ; out °. f the water mv Httl© sister o^f d & m ? , from the otner s 'de of tho table with frightened eyes and a very white lace. Better to have a burnt sheet than a burnt house," she said. I laughed shakily, the Little Folk and your own dear self. GALLIPOLI'S NIECE (Otago). [I should think so indeed, Gallipoli's Niece! What a frightening moment! But your L r t eS oi1 C K of mlnd T came t 0 tlle rescue and let all be well. I am so glad.—DOT.] * * * th?X,? 0( r~ r am . wrltin S to tell you about jSSJ Is S tS J saw at „ a gol 'S e about 14 miles from Roxburgh. We had to descend a fi eeP o, r ?^ ky T ,f lope lf we '"tended to reach the Clutha River, which rushed through the g ° rge - „ Most of the mtne >-s who lived there used caves as their places of abode Very few indeed had tents. The caves before man touched them were ot all different sizes and shapes, and usually had ,hii y . lai 'S e . entrances. The men improved them by building a wall across the opening a , n n. leav I s a door and window. Also they built a chimney and fireplace. They did not have glass, but put a piece of canvas across their windows at night. Most of the homes were cosy and often very dark. Another «£?} 7 as . a thins called a cna ' r . which was used for transporting men and stores across tne river. A strong iron cable was suspended from a rock on either side of the river. Along this ran the cradle or chair. It travelled from one side of the river to tne other by the occupant or occupants pull£s 5fj rop S i1 nd so Propelling the chair to the side of the river to which they desired to go. Love to all the Little Folk and your-

MOTHER'S BEST BOY (Ettrlck). [Those were very interesting sights. Mother's Best Boy. I am pleased vou have tu« » « out then1 ' be cause now the other kittle Folk can know about them.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—la it not wearying and gruesome looking after waking up in the morning to see the grass white and the roads and. paths frozen like asphalt? I have a ferret which is none too tame, but he is a good worker. Every Saturday I take mm out, but have been very unlucky, as I have not had any rabbits with him yet. FRECKLE FACE (Taieri Mouth). [Some people would say it was heartwarming and beautiful, Freckle Face. It all depends on the point of view. Perhaps your ferret cannot bring himself to hurt rabbits.—DOT.]

I Dear Dot, —In a large number of gardens in Dunedin bird tables have been erected, and a bird table has been one of the main features of our garden for some time. The bird table in our garden is in my possession and care, and I feed the birds twice a day. I put the food for the morniug out at night, and I put more soaked bread, sprinkled with sugar, out at mid-day. For a long time after I set the table up only the sparrows visited it, but lately there have been large numbers of wax-eyes coming to it, and it is very amusing to watch them seize a piece of bread and fly to the hawthorn hedge, which is beside the bird table, and quickly devour it before it is stolen by another wax-eye. Sometimes the bread falls down Into the hedge, and in that case the wax-eye gives an acrobatic demonstration by diving, twisting, and turning in and out amongst the branches until it reaches the bread, and with a happy but plaintive chirp seizes it with its beak. Only once has the bellbird, the prince of native birds, favoured me with a visit, and it onlv stayed long enough to take a drink of the sweetened water and utter two notes of Its deep and beautiful voice before flying back to the bush. In winter it is very hard for the birds to find food, and It is easy to see how they appreciate the bread and other tit-bits that people place on bird tables in their gardens for their benefit.

A YOUNG NEW ZEALAXDER (Dunedin). [This Is pleasant work for a town dweller, A Young New Zealander, and one full of happy results. Your pretty visitors must give you great delight.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was very pleased to see my first letter In print. I have started collecting stamps now, and have several kinds. At first I collected, stamps for the Sunday school, and then I had a stamp album given to me, and a friend is saving stamps for me. I received some one Wednesday night, and amongst them I found several penny-halfpenny ones. Best wishes to the page. MISS TRIXIB (Dunedln). [You, too, are a stamp collector, Miss Trlxle? You must tell me more about it when next you write.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This time I am going to tell you about our school. There are four large classrooms, a cloakroom, and seven small rooms. The classrooms are occupied by Standards 11, 111, IV, V, and VI and Forms IV, V, VI, and VII. Form 111 (the form I am in) Is down at the totalisatqr of the racecourse. I am a Girl Guide belonging to the robin patrol of the Ist Kurow Company, and one Saturday we are going for a bicycle ride down the main road. There

are 12 Guides In our company. I will close now, with love to you and your happy band. FATHER'S FARM HAND (Kurow). [What Is your private name, Father's Farm Hand? Write It next time you send a Letter Box notice. And thank you for telling me about your school and the Guides. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I often wonder if there are many of our Little Folk who regard it as a blessing that our page is published on a Monday? Personally I would rather have it on Monday than any other day of the week, but possibly this is because I have never known it to be any other day. It will be generally agreed that most of us habitually suffer from that " Monday morning feeling," and on that particular day we rise from our repose with the unwilling Intention of entering upon yet another week of school or work. But the fact that Dot's Little Folk adorns the newspaper gives us something to look forward to, and it acts as a real stimulant. The dawn does not peep through our windows . with such cheerful impudence at this season of the year, and in the small hours our bed assumes the proportions of a couch of luxury, which

I hardly anything can induce us to forsake. As we recline there, however, reflecting drowsily on the fact that we really should ■ be stirring ourselves, and subconsciously resolving that we will do nothing of the sort. Our semi-stupor Is soon pierced by a flash of light, the brilliant realisation that If we can but arise and sally forth, the inside back page of the morning paper awaits us. And thus we spring from bed like the happy man in the well-known advertisement, and straightway prepare to take our part in the deadly struggle to decide who shall have the paper first. Thus Monday morning becomes something to which we can honestly look forward with pleasure. CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedln). [This is charming, Charles Dickens, and excellently expressed. What a happy Idea that our page should be the means of causing such a transformation on a Monday morning.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am afraid that I have been very dilatory in suporting your Little Folk column, but I assuro you that every Monday I scan the letters with interest and enthusiasm. Especially have I noticed the controversy between Charles Dickens and some of the young ladles who write to our column, and I think It would be an excellent idea if we could have a written debate over some controversial matters, the subjects of which could be fixed by yourself. This certainly would improve the now high standard of tho Best Letters, and In addition ctcate an interest in questions which affect the world to-day. I was pleased to see Squirrel's letter about stamp cleaning, and It I would not be overlapping on his ground I would like to give an additional hint or two on the j subject. If tho stamps are very stubborn, j soak them In a basin of warm water con- I taining a large tablespoonful of salt, and j they will float off without any bother. This , is the best method for older stamps, as some J of the later stamps aro printed on chalkfaced paper with fugitive inks, which decompose into unstable dyes it tho water is applied. , , RAFFLES (Oamaru). [Yours is a good idea, Raffles, and one worth giving attention to. Thank you for | your added* advice concerning stamps.—DOT.] ,

Dear Dot, —Do you remember that in my last letter I wrote saying how lovely it would be to live in Canada? Well, after reading Lord Blfldlsloe's account of New Zealand I completely changed my idea. Lord Bledisloe has lost no time in acclaiming the attractions of New Zealand and its people. In a letter to The Times he endorses a recommendation made by Sir lan Hamilton that retired British officers and their families should seek new homes In the Dominions. " A former Premier of New Zealand, Mr Richard Seddon," writes Lord Bledisloe, " described New Zealand as ' God's own country.' After five years', residence there, involving an intimate knowledge of all parts of the Dominion and its inhabitants, I would describe it as ' man's earthly paradise.' Apart from its scenic loveliness, its incomparable climate, its fertile soils, and its, excellent ports, it is pre-eminently a country of Nature's gentlefolk. Nowhere in the world, if all classes and both races be taken into account, is the standard of education, .refinement, and culture so high. Nowhere are more warm-hearted, hospitable, or lovable peoplo to be found. Indeed, in but few respects can England claim advantages over tho Empire's most British, albeit most distant Dominion." Dr A. Douglas Anderson, Chrlstchurch, remarks that this letter is very refreshing to New Zealanders at present visiting the Old Country. "Wo find," he says, " people here most hospitable and kindly disposed towards us as thoir guests, but, I am afraid, at times showing a most lamentable, but quite understandable ignorance of our conditions, both social and educational." Well, Dot, I suppose you will be thinking me queer, a New Zealander, writing this letter. Love to all Little Folk and yourself. HEATHER HIGHLANDS (Palmerston). ' [Often one l does not appreciate one's own country /{ill one is away from it, Heather Highlamft No, Ido not think you " queer' at all. tDo not rely on other people's words for your letter, however, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —TUls week I write of our onslaught on Ben Lomond. • Leaving early, complete with lunch and camera, we climbed the track up the mountain. Later we rested and admired the splendid view of Queenstown and the lake far below. All this time I was feeling thirsty, but thirsty I had to remain. However, I struggled on, more thirsty every minute, and by the time another hour or so had gone by I was feeling decidedly unfriendly with Ben Lomond, and vowed I would never climb another mountain. At last we found water, so I was • all right again. On arriving at the saddle, we had a good long rest and some lunch. Having not 'far to go to reach the hut, we plodded on and signed our names in the visitors' book. Then began our steep climb to the highest point. Up there we found it cold and misty, so we took a few photographs and turned homewards. We came down the mountain in less time than it took to go up. But oh, the backs of my legs the next day! Well, the photograph of mo was not entirely successful, as I happened to be standing higher than the camera. I look to be a short, squat creature with a rather disconcerting show of teeth. Well, Dot, that completes the letters of my holiday at Qucenstown. Now for Charles Dickens. When I read his somewhat flattering remarks on Monday morning (I choose to call them flattering, so please do not disillusion me) I rushed away to see if my hat still fitted me. Fortunately it did. I am very glad he has taken the letters in such a sporting manner, and I must agree that some of the ladies' fashions are rather dreadful. At lunch time the first hat 1 saw was a perfect specimen of the despised soup-plate variety, which caused me to smile widely and indulge in a sly chuckle. Next came a beret, hung on one ear, the sight of , which stretched my smile to Cheshire-cat dimensions. Well, now I must away and don my new hat, slightly tilted, ever so slightly, Charles Dickens, over my right eye. Regards to all. PIXIE EARS (Gore).

[Am I right in surmising that Charles Dickens has won the day, Pixie Ears, and that his criticisms were acceptable after all? I expect be will soon como to light with another controversial subject, however, and call forth more retaliation. I know that Ben-Lomond thirst.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Owing to Charles Dickens's being such a good sport, he has braved the frontier of the enemy's forces and come up smiling. I am still wondering whether he wrote his letter in an endeavour to provide something of Interest to all the Little Folk, or if he did it merely for his own amusment. But, whatever his motive, I am sure that he has established a livelier feeling in the Little Polk page, and has succeeded in bringing the writers closer together. I Imagine him as a very cynical and witty gentleman. I could not help smiling when I read his apt description of some women's hair—no letter of his would be complete without some caustic remark—and he inevitably fits one in somewhere. I am eager to know what he will confine his attentions to next —he must surely have exhausted the " jazz" theme. I doubt whether he will be able to spend much more time on women's hats and women's hair. But, of course, he could doubtless write lengthy paragraphs on the morals, or lack of morals, of the modern girl. There is always the question of shorts and slacks, too. But I fear that I am launching small bait, which, no doubt, Charles Dickens will use for the catching of large fish, that is it he has not caught enough fish already.

LAUGHING LILY (Otago)

[This week the lion lies low, Laughing Lily. Next week—who knows what his behaviour will be? Somehow I think you are hoping it will not be too docile.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Morning came leaping. it was seven of the clock. Oh, how soon the morn had come, and again I had slept in! Hastily I tumbled out of bed, grasping the apparel nearest me. Once I was outside the fresh air fully awakened me, and 1 gazed in delight at the scene before me. Where is Nature more apparent than in the country? Whilst I slept her magic wand had created a new world. A mantle, such a pure, pearly white mantle, had cloaked everything. The trees were throwing up their leafless, furry arms to the sky, while the ffnees and trees shared a similar condition. The pithy, sodden ground of last night was as solid as rock, and every pool was frozen with a thick sheet of ice. From behind a distant hill the sun's reflection changed the fleecy clouds to a rosy hue, but very soon

i he rose himself. What a transformation ! 1 The white mantle became a sparkling. 1 twinkling mass like myriads of stars. With ! the rising of the sun a breezo had sprung ) up, such a sharp, keen wind making mc ; turn reluctantly from the land of white veils, while a cock on a distant farm crowed, 1 heralding the rise of the sun and the birth i of a glorious day. Kindest regards. TRIXIE OF TAIERI (Taleri). [Was it hoar frost, Trixle of Taleri? I ; have heard of hoar frosts, but not really • I seen one. Next time, dear, write on only one side of the paper.—DOT.] j** * * | Dear Dot, —We are in the middle of i winter, and although the weather is very cold at times, still we cannot grumble as up till now we have had very little snow. There have been some very heavy frosts, and, of course, skating Is the order of the day. In the evenings a number of people go skating on the ponds around our little j township, and by the light of huge bonfires they have some really good fun. Best ' wishes to all the Little Folk and yourself. S VERA CRUZE (Omakau). [Skating under such conditions must be delightful, Vera Cruze. I wonder if you could tell me more about it.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am writing to tell you about my cousin's twenty-first birthday party. As it was inconvenient for us to come home that day, we stayed until Tuesday. At the party wo had a treasure hunt, and I re- | ceived a pretty little handkerchief. In--1 stead of having 21 candles auntie put 21 I Easter eggs on because it was Easter. I gave my cousin a big gold key, and when we took the photographs we held the key In front of the cake. After that we had tea. Love to you and your happy little band. AZURE BELL (Kurow).

[Being 21 seems to bo a glad event with Little Folk, Azure Bell. What a good Idea the Easter eggs were ! —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —On Thursday week a concert was held in the Woodslde School Hall in ■ aid of the street-lighting fund. The concert 1 was acted by Dunedln talent, and there was an excellent programme. There was a record attendance. Tho door prize, which was a leg of mutton, was won by A Flower of the Taleri. The items were mostly singing, humorous recitations, and dancing, which was executed by small girls in HighI land costumes. A gentleman who acts at | Hallowe'en as " Wee Geordie" was there, and his items were very good. A dance was held after the concert, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Love to the Little Folk and your own dear self. QUEEN OF THE TUIS (Woodslde). [I am glad to know it was such a successful and enjoyable concert, Queen of the Tuls, and hope you will congratulate A Flower of the Taleri for winning the door prize.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Do you like to watch football? I do. I think it is one of the finest games there is for boys. On July 20 a football and basketball tournament was held at Berwick. On Friday week our team played against Henley. Although they were beaten I must congratulate them on the way they played. They took their beating in the most sportsmanlike way, and by no means did they give up hope. Love to all. THE LONE SKY PILOT (Berwick). [I like to watch football as long as the game is fast, clean, and open, The Lone Sky Pilot, so I am glad to be able to add my congratulations to yours regarding your team. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Last week you asked me to | write about a football match. Well, as our i school team played a match last Thursday 1 will describe It to you. The match was between Miller's Flat and Roxburgh Schools. I After going down to the grounds and dressing into our football togs wo felt quite eager for the game. The two teams then assembled on the field, and after heartily

cheering each other spread out to our respective places, and Miller's Flat kicked off. The forwards at once rushed up, and securing possession went through with the ball, but failed to score. After about 15 minutes of play in tho first half our second live-eighth Bcored a try near the corner flag. We wero very much pleased to see one of tho forwards go over for another try just before half-time. The play opened in the second half with a brilliant movement by the Miller's Flat backs, but wo managed to hold them from scoring. Play went on with a plcco of " dirty work " now and then, until Miller's Flat scored a try, but so far from the goal posts that they did not try to convert. This, however, was the only score by Miller's Flat, and the game ended with the score, Roxburgh, six points; Miller's Flat, three points, and after a good game of football we went homo to a welcome tea. Next day everyone at school was talk- . ing nothing but football. Love to all. I CRIMSON DOMINO (Roxburgh). j [Thank you, Crimson Domino. I knew ' you could do it. I have enjoyed the description very much, and feel as if I had : been at the match myself.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Did you ever learn to ride a horse? If you did, you would have received bumps and soro places such as I did when I had my first long ride. I had had a few rides on my friend's pony before, j but I had not then mastered the art of rid- 1 lng. When first we started off, my friends showed mo how to hold the reins properly,

after that 'how to sit properly, and then I the horses began to trot, and I bumped about 'in the saddle. When I was coming down j the saddle seemed to jump and meet me, ' making a new but sore place on my seat. My friends began to laugh and draw the attention of our neighbours, who stared and nearly burst, with laughter, for a sight such as this could not bo witnessed every day. It seemed to me as if they thought it was a Punch and Judy show. As we passed them I sat blushing in the saddle, and making grimaces at every bump. But, Dot, I was determined, and before the day was over I could " post." Posting is like rising in the saddle when the horse rises and sinking as the horse touches the ground. Cantering and galloping were easier, and if ever I had a chance I would make the horse gallop. On our return journey our neighbours were awaiting us, but a different spectacle met their eager eyes. I trotted down the road In front of them, and how they laughed and clapped, for I was not making faces, but sitting well in the saddle and posting. When I slid off the horse I could hardly walk, I was so stiff, and next clay a friend of mine asked me if I had eaten my tea off the mantelpiece, which I found is a remark made to all persons learning to ride. Well, Dot, I must close my " horsey " letter now. A WHISTLING COWBOY (Central Otago). [Yes, I have learnt to ride, A Whistling Cowboy, so I can well appreciate this apt description you have given me. I do enjoy letters like this, so personal and original! —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about a ride I had in the sledge. Oh, that bumpy ride! About 10 o'clock one Saturday, we saw our two horses coming along drawing the sledge behind them. We then hastened to meet them. On meeting the horses, father told us to jump in. All went well until we came to the gate, and what fuu we had ! We nearly fell out of the sledge. Best love to you. THE INDIAN RUBBER DUCK (Talerl).

[lt must have been very amusing, The Indian Rubber Duck. Bumpy rides like that are always good fun.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Wo have on our farm a billy goat. Have you ever seen a billy goat? Ours is white all over, and has a little beard and horns. He is only eight months old. He does some strange tricks, but he has not butted anyone yet, and we hope he never will. He lives in a plantation of gums here, and as the leaves of the trees are fairly high up he rears up on his hind legs and rests his front legs on the tree trunk, by which means he reaches the leaves. Like all other goats ho is very nimble on rocks or stones, and his movement is jerky and stiff. The way he manages this is by putting his back legs together and his front ones also. When the puppy teases him he rises up on his hind legs and falls on his prey. Kind regards to all. SPRIG OP GUM (Toiro). •

[I have seen a billy goat, but not had anything to do with one, Sprig of Gum. What an Interesting pet your jolly one seems to be!—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —The other day for the first time In my life, 16 years, I visited a hospital. I had never before been inside of one, and I was rather nervous on doing so, as I did not know what to expect. I wont with my sister, Mount Egmont Princess, and her husband to the Palmerston North Public

Hospital to see my uncle, who has just recently been under an operation on his Ifcnee. I do not know yet how far we walked, but it seemed an exceedingly long way down a corridor to the ward my uncle was in. At the end of the long room he lay, and felt quite contented about his operation, as he can now get about with the aid of a crutch. It being my first visit, It rather satisfied 1 my curiosity about having to enter one, that is, if I ever take ill, I do not think I should mind being in hospital. WATTLE BLOSSOM BRIDE (Manawatu). j [lt is the unknown that always frightens I us, Wattle Blossom Bride. Once we have i experienced anything we no longer feel so much in awe of it.—DOT.] i # * * I Dear Dot, —The other night our pet cat was lying on my bed, and when I went to get in the cat objected to shifting. I picked it up, put it on the floor, and I was just pulling the blankets up when the cat jumped up and tried to get under them. Then it went down the bed to where my feet were, nnd prepared a cosy place to sleep in. When j I saw It snuggle down I thought I would annoy it as it had done to me, so I shifted.my feet. The cat stared at me as much as |to say, "What are you doing?" I will j close now, hoping this is a Best Letter. ' BLACK PANSY (Taleri Beach). ! [Yes, it is a Best Letter, Black Pansy. Did the reproachful puss leave you after that? It seems to have luxurious tastes.— DOT.] * * *

I Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote my sister has a little baby boy. He is to be called Colin Hugh. When he is in his bath he tries to kick and splash, so we shall soon have to put something under his bath to keep the floor dry. If there are many people I in the room he will not take his drink, because he wants to smile and talk to them. The minute his hands are free he puts them i into his mouth and sucks them until some- ! one takes them out, and then he laughs and I coos. We have to remember to walk quietly I and not slam doors when he is asleep. Do not babies make a difference in the house, Dot? Often Hugh comes down to stay the evening with us, and we have great fun nursing him and making him talk. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. BLUE BIRD (Dipton). \ I [Yes, babies make a great difference in a house, Blue Bird. Give your small nephew a cuddle for me, and tell him I like him.— DOT.] * # * Dear Dot,—Our Busy Bees closed a few Saturdays ago. We met at the church on Saturdays, and did sewing, knitting, etc. Our work was sold at the church bazaar, and our funds went to help the missionaries. The last Saturday the teachers brought afternoon tea. The minister, his wife, and their dear little baby girl came

and had afternoon tea with us. We al! had a good time, and the minister took one girl's knitting and did some of it, and wo all laughed. After we had finished our tea the • minister gave us a talk on " The Christ of the Andes," and told us not to forget what we were working for. One of the ojder.i Busy Bees presented the minister's wife with a little baby's pink dress, which was knitted by one of the Busy Bees. Before we went home they showed us the little baby, and it looked hard at us. Then ,we had a peanut scramble. We went home I as happy as could be, wishing that next . year would hurry up and come. Kindest I regards to all. 1 DAD'S BEST HUNTAWAY (Dunback). [What a happy day, Dad's Best Huntaway, and a baby there, too! The pink dress was a charming idea. I wish I had seen the minister knitting.—DOT.] * * :|c Dear Dot, —Recently the children of the ' Cambridge Primary School celebrated their i annual fancy dress ball. It was a huge success, both socially and financially. The children from the primers up to Standard 111 held their ball in the afternoon. At 2 p.m. they assembled in the school grounds, forming into two Hneß. It was a pretty

sight to see cowboys, Indians, Jockeys, sailors, soldiers, jesters, Old Father Time, sundowners, cricketers, old-fashioned ladles, Dresden china figures, plerrots, and plerrettes, Mother Hubbard, Little Boy Blue, and Little Bo Peep minus her sheep. Two little boys were greatly admired, one as Dick Whittington and the other as a golfer in wee plus fours with golf cap and checked pullover. Just as the clock was striking two the headmaster blew his whistle, and away they marched out of the school gate along Duke street into Victoria street. The pavements wero lined with spectators, and they cheered the little oneß as they marched proudly along In full regalia. Entering the Town Hall, which waß decorated with Hags, ferns, and flowers, the children after the grand march entertained their parents and friend 3 with folk dances and songs amid much applause. At 5 o'clock they did full justice to tempting refreshments, and then regretfully wended their way home. At 7.30 tho children from Standard IV tt> Standard VI gathered at the Town Hall and did folk dancos and sang songs, and received their share of applause. I was a cowboy, and my partner was an Eastern lady. After we had finished our dances we were joined by grown-ups, and danced merrily until supper time. Then bidding good night wo too went off regretfully, leaving tho grown-ups to themselves. So ended a very happy evening. MEZZO (Cambridge). [What an unusual idea, Mezzo! I like I it very much, and am glad you have told I me about it. It must indeed have been a pretty sight.—DOT.J

Dear Dot, —I went for a walk up th< hills the other day, and had a very jollj time, indeed. There is a kowhal tree on s hill, and the creeper growing round It ii just like a springy bed. On reaching il I lay down and almost fell asleep. I went out on the dray the next day to get a load of lucerne; and I drove the horse halfway there and all the way back without taking any gateposts with me. I hope this will find you and your large family very well GOLDEN LILY (Gimmorburn). [What a fairy-tale bed, Golden Lily! You would have pleasant dreams there, I am sure. Congratulations on the driving.— DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —We are having our winter holidays just now. Instead of having any term holidays we have a month in winter. They are skating and curling here. Can you skate? I cannot, but I should like to. We have not had much sledging, as there has not been much snow. Love to all Little Folk and your own dear self. TESS OF THE MOUNTAINS (Naseby). [No, I cannot skate, Tess of the Mountains. Could you tell me about the curlihg?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am going to copy some verses of poetry out of my book. It is called " Trailing Arbutus." I always think when looking At its mingled rose and white, Of the pink lips of children Put up to say good night. Cuddled its green leaves under, Like babies in their beds, Its blossoms shy and sunny Conceal their pretty heads. A.nd when I lift the blanket up, And peep Inside of It, rhey seem to give me smile for smile, Nor be afraid a bit. Dear little flower, the earliest Of all the flowers that are; rwinkling upon the bare, brown earth As on the clouds a star. •low can we fail to love it well, Or prize it more and more? t is the first small signal That winter time Is o'er.

That spring has not forgotten us, Though late and slow She be, But is upon her flying way, And we her face should see. Kindest regards to your own dear self and all the Little Folk. PEARL QUEEN (Beaumont). [Little Folk must not use other people's poems for their letters, Pearl Queen. Why not write me a poem of your own?—DOT.]

DOT'S REPLIES. If you are having holidays, Silver Star, you will have time to write me a Best Letter about vour calf, which should, I think, be called Spruce.—DOT. And You, Another Btlly Boy, will you write me a Best Letter about your holidays? There is nothing in this one for me to print, I am afraid.—DOT. * * ■.: Little Folk must not write in pencil, Glad Girl, for it hurts the printer's eyes. Do ! tell me more about the bicycle race.—DOT. ; * * * I What'about a Best Letter about Mickey, Inky? If you are fond of him you ought to enjoy writing about him. —DOT. You could write me a Best Letter about Waihola, I think, Golden Leaf. Try, will , vou? I should very much like you to.— | 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 be a nominal fee of one shilling I 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. Hilda, Dunedln. :;: i tjc * A social under the auspices of the Old Writers' Association will be held in R.S.A. Hall, Moray place, on Monday, July 29, at 7.45 p.m. Admission, one shilling. OLD WRITERS', NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Writers Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay, 24 Neldpath road, Mornlngton, Dunedln) ; and Morning Star, honorary secretary (Mr 3 J Hines. 24 Jackson street, St. Kiida, Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete a register of past and present Old Writers iu

connection with the Jubilee In 1936. Either would be pleased to hear from any willing to supply names addresses, and noma de plume, and, where possible, year of first writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will bs made periodically in this column. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page for the flrst time this week : Red Rose Wreath, Spark Plug, The First Snowdrop, Daffodils in Spring, Carnation Coronet, Lazy Daisy Chain, Pansy Posy, Apple Blow Fairy, Bush Ranger Bob, Homeless Hector, Daddy Boy, Pamela's Cousin, Duchess of Kent, Grandfather's Girl, Orange Blossom Garland.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Dot wishes many happy returns of the day to— First Snowflake, who will be 12 on Thursday. Granny's Pal, who will be 14 on Friday. NOTES. Sprig o£ Gum.—Pat Greening, P.O. Box 804, Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia; Kathleen Lynch, Kewell North, via Murtoa, Victoria ; and Mary I. Lilburn, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. Prairie Joy's address is Joy Thompson, Strongfleld, Saskatchewan. * * #

John Anderson My Jo.—You forgot to send your private name, dear. Send It, and I shall be pleased to enrol you. DOT.

LITTLE FOLK'S LETTER BOX. As the Little Folk inserting th« following requests do not know ths addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond. It ie necessary that those companions should send the first letter.—DOT. * * * Galllpoli's Niece (Oliver Phillips, Tahakopa) wishes to correspond with any boy Little Folk between the ages of 14 and 17. * * * Mother's Best Boy (Frank Weatherall, Ettrlck) would like any Little Folk, especially stamp collectors, to write to him. * * * Freckle Face (Colin Horton, Taierl Mouth) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk between the ages o£ 12 and 15. * * * Wattle Blossom Bride (Alice R. "Watson, c/o Mr D. Houghton, P. 0., Bunnythorpe, Manawatu) wishes her correspondents to write to her again, as she has lost their addresses and has also changed her own. * * * Blue Bird (Jean MacKenzie, " Te Whare," Dipton) wishes to correspond with any girl Little Folk In New Zealand or overseas between the ages of 12 and 15. * # * Black Pansy (Agnes Liddell, Taierl Beach) wishes any Little Folk about 12 or 13 years old interested In stamps to write to her. * * * Silver Star (Enid M'lntosh, Moa Creek) wishes to correspond with Whispering Wind.