DOT'S Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24772, 24 November 1941, Page 8

DOT'S Little Folk

Dear Little Folk, — November 50 is St. Andrew's Day, and as St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, from which country the early settlers of Otago came, 1 thin\ it will be appropriate if I tell you something about his life. He was one of the twelve disciples, and, although there is no mention of him in the Bible after the Ascension, he is believed to have travelled as a missionary through parts of Asia and Europe and, finally, to have suffered martyrdom. It is said that a Christian lady of ran\ caused the body of St. Andrew to be embalmed and that eventually it was ta\cn to Scotland by a pious Gree{ mon\ called Regulus or Rule, and deposited on the eastern coast of Fife, where a church was built, and where afterwards arose the noble city of St. Andrews and its cathedral. Visitors to this ancient city, so rich in historical interest, can still see a tower called St. Regulus rising from the ruins of the cathedral, and defying, as it has for centuries, the fierce winds which blow in from the North Sea. When I visited St. Andrews some years ago, 1 climbed to the top of the tower up a dar\ and narrow stair which seemed to be endless; but, when the summit was reached, I felt well repaid for the effort by the wonderful view of sea and land spread out before me, while directly below, were the quiet graves in the old \ir\yard. Q, 'There is a further legend about St. Andrew, but thisl shall leave for another lime. Wishing you happy days and lots of fun. Your loving __-——— '

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK FARM ANIMALS Dear Dot,—We have 50 cows, all milking just now. Another Brown Eyes feeds 10 calves every night and morning. We have a new dog now. He is a yellow colour, and if you say " Give me your paw," he holds out his paw for you to shake hands with him; or if you say "Lie down now " he does so. We have four dogs altogether. One is a black-and-white collie, whose name is Star and who is 16 years old. Another dog is a black-and-tan collie. He is 10 years old and is mostly a sheep dog. We call him Glen. One dog we call Nigger. He came here before he was full grown He is a black greyhound and is two years old. Our new dog's name is Bob and he is five years old. We have had him for a week now, and he is getting used to the place. We have eight horses just now. I've got a wee pet hare. In the last letter I wrote I told you about my two pet lambs. Well, dad tailed them, and the smallest one died. I was sorrv to see the poor wee lamb dead when I got up next morning. The lamb I still have is growing quite big now, and I hope nothing happens to it. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.— Daffodil (14), East Taieri.

SUGGESTION FOR A PARTY Dear Dot, —I am going to give you a suggestion for a party. Casually go up to one of the guests, and say, " Can you tell 'me what f-o-l-k spells?" Of course the answers is " folk." Then you say, "Well what does c-o-k-e spell?" To this your friend replies " coke." Then ask "What is the white of an egg?" Most likely you get the reply " yolk." But of course the white of the egg is the white. This trick aften catches children at a party for " yolk " rhymes with " coke " ond " folk."—Tuppence Farthing (13), Dunedin. RHYMING RIDDLE I'm not of flesh and blood, Yet have I many a bone; No limbs, except one leg, And can't stand on that alone. My friends are many, and dwell In all lands of the human race; But they poke my nose into" the mud And shamefully spatter my face. Thrust me into each other's ribs. Stick me in gutter and rut; I have never a window or door. Yet I often open and shut. 'Biia-iquin uy

CATCHING A CRAB Dear Dot,—l am writing to you to tell you about the crab we caught in the creek. This crab was six and a-half inches long. We have been doing paintings of Sweden and Norway, but have finished them now, and are doing another painting, " Whare Flat in Springtime." With good wishes to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Tiger Lily, Whare Flat.

A NEW PONY Dear Dot,—l have a cream pony. His name is Snowy. My brothers and I ride him to school. When we were bringing him home from the sale he started to gallop, but did not keep it up. My brother and I rode him home. When we arrived at the railway crossing we had to go back to head some cows off.— Skipping Rabbit (Paretai).

JUST IN CASE

SCHOOL SPORTS Dear Dot,—ln this letter lam going to tell you about the school sports that were held in Palmerston on October 18. It was a beautiful day, and crowds of happy chattering children and parents were seated along the banks in the showgrounds, where the sports were to be held. After 12 o'clock the sports started, and all the children were carefully listening for their race to come along. I was not running in any races, but there were eight children from our school, who were very successful in winning the " Sole Teacher's Cup." After dinner, more racing, was done, and this was followed by drill, but our school did not enter. Palmerston won the shield, but we did not mind, for we had won it twice and were quite pleased when we won a cup. Soon we were making our way homewards after a very enjoyable day. Love to all. —Snow White's Pal (14), Macraes Flat. THE HOLIDAY WEEK-END Dear Dot,—l am going to tell you how I spent Labour week-end. On the Saturday I went to the pictures to see " Dr Kildare's Crisis." On Sunday I stayed at home. On Monday I spent the day at the Oamaru gardens with my sister and two little children whom we took with us. The gardens are beautiful ' < one enters the main gate one sees a bed of dusty millers on one side of the patch and wallflowers on the other side Then further down the path there are three large beds of tulips. The first bed is of striped ones, the second is of plain ones, and the last bed of striped ones. Some of the tulips stood about 2ft in height Then we came to the hothouse, where the most beautiful pot plants are kept. There was a large number of trees in flower In one part there was a large tree, with Its boughs spreading out, and it was covered with white blossom. With love to Nan. Nan's Twin Sister, Dad's Farmer Boy and Fairy Bluebell, not forgetting your own dear self.—Molly Bawn (14). Ardgowan OUR PICTURE PUZZLE

BLACKBIRD FAMILY Dear Dot,—l would like to tell you about the blackbirds' nest which has been built in our back yard. It was interesting to see the birds building it. Then four eggs appeared, and to-day my brother climbed the tree and told us there were two baby birds. They opened their mouths- when he peeped in through the leafy branches. We feed the mother bird. Other birdssparrows, chaffinches and starlings—come too, and they are all becoming quite tame. Love to all the Little Folk, espcially Blue Gem, and your own dear self.-Merry Margaret (12), Dunedin.

ARRANGE THESE PAIRS

In this drawing there are 18 parts of nine familiar objects, and the problem is to identify them and link them up. As an example, 1 and 1G show the spout and handle of a teapot, so the answer should be written: 1 and 16, teapot. Can you see how the rest of the parts should be joined in this way? All the objects are included in this list: Banjo, candlesticks, fountain pen, trying pan, hot-water jug, mandolin, mop. opera glasses, screwdriver, shaving brush, teapot, telephone, telescope, tin-opener, toasting fork.

OLD WRITERS' WEEK Letters for Old Writers* Week will be published this year on December 20. Old Writers are invited to send in their contributions—plainly marked " Old Writers" Week "—between now and December 12. Owing to limitations of space, it is absolutely necessary that letters should be short and it is only on this understanding that they can be -Dubiished at all. DOT. ff*S DOT'S LETTER BOX 80-Peep (Brighton).—T am sure you like living at Brighton, 80-Peep. What fun you will have playing on the beach! I am sorry you have not been well, and hope you will be better soon. Merry Margaret (Dunedin). —I am very glad. Merry Margaret, that you are so good to the birds that come to your garden. You would be very interested in watching the blackbirds' nest being built, and would be thrilled when the young birds appeared. I shall be interested to hear how they get on. and when they leave the nest. Shirley Anne (Ida Valley).—l am pleased to hear from you again, Shirley Anne, and hope you will write me a longer letter next time. I am sorry you have mumps, and hope you will soon be well again. Poteri Polly (Portobello).—Your little baby brother must be getting on well, Poteri Polly, and he will soon be walking and talking. Yes, I do hope the weather will be fine for the holidays. Skipping Rabbit (Paretai). —How lovely to have a pony, Skipping Rabbit. You will be very proud of him, and I am sure you will look after him well. Jolly Golly (Kononi). —That was a long day's journey you had to Queenstown, Jolly Golly, and a very early start. It would, however, be a very interesting trip, and one that you will long remember Little Violet (Duntroon). —I am glad you had such a nice time at the wedding, Little Violet. It must have been a lovely dinner, and I hope you soon recovered from the effects of it. Polly Dora (Queensberry)-—Although you did not come first in any of the events for which you entered, Polly Dora, you did very well at the sports, and next year you should do even better. I am glad you had such a nice time Thank you for the poem you have sent me. David J. Watson (Waipori Falls).—l shall be very pleased 1o enrol you, David, but you must choose a nom de plume and let. me know what it is, so that I can enter it in my register. DOT.

Here is a picture of Jack. He has just climbed his bean stalk, and—what do you think he sees towering above him? Take a pencil and join all the numbered dots together, starting with dot number one and ending with dot number sixty-two, and you will see what Jack saw after he climbed the bean stalk.

COMPETITION ESSAYS INTERMEDIATE SECTION Subject: "How do Animals Repay Kindness Shown to Them?" (I) The murky, damp London fog closed over the dimly burning street lamps, which before had shed their meagre rays on the dismal wet pavements, full of dirty little puddlfcs. A dejected-looking, untidy little dog wandered up a dark alley, searching hopefully for bones and scraps of meat, but it was of no avail. Sleepily the little dog curled himself into a ball on a cold, wet doorstep, and soon was fast asleep, while the probing fog swirled in and out of the dark doorways, ever searching. A cruel, gruff voice, a kick in the ribs—that was the greeting the stray received when he awoke. Towering above him stood a rough-looking, burly map. " Out of the way, you mongrel !" ne bawled, aiming another kick at the dog's ribs; but it never reached them. A strong hand grasped the bully's shoulder and pulled him backwards. There stood a young man in army uniform, and, taking the lout by the ear, he led him away down the alley, where with a parting shove at the corner, he turned and ran back to the dog on the doorstep. Tenderly picking him "up in his arms, the young man carried him down to the store, where a nice iuicy piece of meat was purchased. " Your new name is Chum, old fellow," said the man. "My name's Jack." Chum nestled down in Jack's arms and wagged his tail. Happily they set off down the street; so had a great friendship been formed between the young man and Chum the mongrel. Many happy days they had spent together, and Chum had grown to love his new home. There came a day, however, when all was hurry and bustle, and. while his bags were being collected, Jack clasped Chum in his arms. FIVE KITTENS

Five kittens in a basket, I found them there to-day; So soft, and new, and tiny, Not old enough to play. With eyes still tightly sleeping. With noses wee and pink. They are the dearest kittens I have ever seen. I think! The mother cat is gentle, I smooth her silv'ry fur, 1 stroke the wee, new kittens. All cuddled close to her; Three are grey-and-silvery, And two are white auu olack; The mother cat is worried Till I put them safely back. Five kittens in a basket. What a wond'rous find; New kittens—either sleepy • Or hungry all the time! With wee, pink noses wiggling. With tummies warm and fat. And cuddled very closely To the little mother cat. " I'm afraid this is the end, Chum," sighed Jack, " We're sailing for France to-day." With a farewell pat, he was off up the gangway of the transport. As th.2 ship pulled out a small shape wriggled through a porthole and was reunited with his master. . War! The Germans were flooding into France. Furious battles were being fought. In the midst of the holacaust there had been seen a small dog vainly trying to shelter his wounded master from the bullets of a machine gun. Few investments show greater interest than the investment of a friendship with a dog. —Tinker.

I lay on the grassy bank of the dusty country road lazily chewing a grass stem. I had all day in which to do nothing. I looked about me. Away down the road a flock of sheep rolled slowly toward me. In the nearby meadow a herd of cattle lay basking in the sun or contentedly cropped the lush, green grass. Over on the opposite hill, standing out boldly against the blue sky, a sturdy plough-horse laboured at his task. As my gaze swept from the approaching sheep to the sleepy cattle and the labouring horse, my thoughts flashed back to the araument we had had at school last term— Do animals repay kindness shown to them by man ? " .. . , A There was not much doubt in my mind as to the answer to that question, but what puzzled me now was how these simple, hard-working farm animals repaid the kindness shown to them. For a moment I was at a loss. True, I had read of the deeds of extreme bravery performed by dogs and other animals in repayment of their masters' kindness; but what chance of displaying bravery had these animals in this quiet countryside? A whistle caused me to look up. Over in the meadow a man stood holding open the gate. It was he who had whistled, I marvelled as the cows, without any other sign but that whistle, lurched to their feet and began to file towards the open gate. Here was the answer to my question This was devotion, affection, and was not that just repayment for tne kindness shown to them? These nnima.s could not show their repayment by brave deeds, but in their own simple way they performed the equivalent of those deeds. I got up, stretched my legs, and, calling for my dog to follow, walked off down the road. Animals did repay kindness of that I was certain. I looked down at my dog and he looked up at me. Somewhere deep within me I felt we understood one another better now. 1 tossed him a broken biscuit and walked on. —Scotty. FROST On winter nights against the window pane, . . Nature with busy pencil draws designs Of ferns and blossoms, and fine sprays of pines, . Oak leaf and acorn and long twisting vines, Which she will make when summer comes again. —Sent in by Popeye (12) Balclutha YOUNG WRITERS' ASSOCIATION The last meeting of the Young Writers' Association for the year will be held in the Otago Dailv Times Library on Wednesday November 26. The principal subject under discussion will be next year ? activities, and I should like as full an attendance as possible. The meeting will commence at 7.30 p.m. and I shall be outside the main entrance from 7.15 till that time, if members feel perhaps a bit bashful at coming up the first time. Plain Joan. Secretary, 121 Blacks road, Opoho

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME TO: Butch, who lives at Belleknowes, Dunedin. and has five brothers and two sisters, all much older than herself. She writes that at her home they have seven hens and a budgie, who can talk. I expect the hens are giving you lots of nice fresh eggs at present. Butch. A talking budgie livery entertaining, and he will keep you amused The next time you write tell me what are vour favourite hobbies and games. Budy. who is 11 years old. and also lives at Belleknowes, Dunedin. She has two brothers and one sister, and, for pets, has three little baby rabbits about six months old. She has also a flower and vegetable garden all to herself. The baby rabbits I must be very nice pets, Budy.' but you will have to see that, when they grow big, they do not get into your garden. I hope you will write again and tell me how your flowers and vegetables arc getting on. DOT. OLD WRITERS" NOTES The annual meeting of the Old Writers' Association, and election of office bearers, will be held in the Daily Times Library on Monday, December 1, at 8 pm. A good attendance is requested. INDIAN CHIEF, Hon Sec, 120 Forfar st., Clydehill, S.W.I. 'Phone 10-257. BADGE AND RULES New members must •inclose their name and address. These will not be published, and are Cor registration nurposes only Little folk should write on' one side of the paper only, ano in Ink. and should address their letters " DOT, care of Editor, Otago Daily Times." Everj letter

must state the age of the writer The retiring age is 21, after which Little Folk become Old Writers Dot's Little Folk's Badge, with pin, tor use aj a brooch, is obtainable on application to DOT Price 2s Gd. in stamps or postal notes