WILD CLEMATIS. A NEW ZEALAND FAIRY TALE. By Shasta.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 83

WILD CLEMATIS. A NEW ZEALAND FAIRY TALE. By Shasta.

Every spring-time the fairies gather together far »way in the bush) where no little boys or girls could possibly find them. They dance and sing till they are tired, then they all climb up into the branches of a big tree and talk over their plans. Sometimes they •want a* new birdi or a new tree, but this time they wanted a new flower.

"A whit© flower that will be lovely as a star/ said Rimu.

"Yes," sai9 Koa — "a, white flower with a golden heart. ' Ko* was a happy Jittle sprite, and golden yellow wa3 her favourite colour. Besides, the fairies all love a white flower with a golden heart: that is why we have so many daises.

The last time the fairies wanted a new flower they could not agree about it. They a-U wanted a white one but Rewa; and nothing would suit Rewa. but a pink one; so they decided to have both. They were all very pleased with "their new, flower — a tiny one which grows in large clusters-. All but •Rua, who hated pink. Rua, ' went out one dark night and covered all the pretty plant •with prickles. The fairies were very angry next day when they found the nasty prickles, and Rust, who was made to feel very much ashamed of himself, said, as he could not ■take the prickles off again, he would make a nice berry grow for the birds after the flowers had withered. If you think this is not quite true, then look, for the wild plant which children call the "bush-lawyef;" and yon will see it is the very one Rua put the prickles' on. Rata waa afraid the new flower might be pretties than her glorious, crimson brushes, but, good-naturedly, said 'nothing. Manuka said she was surejao flower could be prettier than hers. Manuka is proud, but we readily forgive her, because she is co isweet.

"How shall we get the seeds to start •with?" asked Kai». The fairies never cross the sea now. Once they all went away for -a little while, and' when they returned they found everything in confusion, so decided never to leave their island again. So at Kaia's question they felt sad, until a big Tai said he would fly over the sea end bring the seeds for them. Birds understand the fairy language, but only speak it when they can help the fairies in their plans. Tui flew to an island out in the ocean and told ihe island fairies what he wanted. They •were very kind) and gave him three tiny ■seeds, which they wrapped up in a leaf and tied round his neck. How delighted they all "Were when he re'iurned! _They sowed the ■-'seeds, and the xain, »''che sun, and the wind all helped, «S>l very soon they had a lovely flower, the " 'dainty star-like flower which we call "Cleinaiis." It withers very quickly if picked, Irat lasts a long time growings Long after the flowers have withered! you will find bunches of pale green, fluffy tassels, -which, little girls call "Pussies." And what reward? did the kind Tui get?

Well, Aroha, the sweetest of all the fairies, Baid, "We will give him a pretty tuft of .white feathers to wear oa his breast." "Yes, and we will let Tula wear it always," feaid ail] the other fairies at once. So when you see a glossy black tui proudly showing off his white "tie," you will remem•l>er- it was a fairy gift long ago, and that as why he is so proud of it.