WHEN THE ELVES SLEPT.

Otago Witness, Issue 4049, 20 October 1931, Page 68

WHEN THE ELVES SLEPT.

The elves were very tired. For weeks they had been working overtime tinting the leaves on all the trees—and that is very particular work, because an elf who happened to tint a chestnut leaf with the wrong paint would soon be sadly in disgrace. Karl, Dawn, and Mist were working upon the beech trees, and they’ were weary of the sight of plain light brown paint, and wished they had chosen th" sycamoie leaves. “ When I look away everything seems to be light brown.” complained Mist; and the others agreed that it was the same with them. “ 1 suggest yon ladies take a nap,” said Karl stoutly; “I'll wake you if anyone comes.” Five minutes later Dawn and Mist were lying fast asleep amongst the unpainted leaves; and I am sorry to say that m five minutes more their stout watchman was slumbering too! He snored, and so none of them heard the approach of the artist. The artist heard Karl's gentle snoring, and he said: “ How the beech leaves rustle!” Reaching up for the very branch upon which the elves lay. he cut it off very carefully and took it home with him. because he happened to be hunting for leaf specimens. The elves were dreaming happily. They thought it was mid-winter, and they were taking holiday’ in Fairyland before starting on the work of painting snowdrops. When they awoke it was to find that their branch was in a glass jar, and someone with a very large face was peering at it and daubing on paper. He could not see them, for elves are usually invisible to us; but Karl whispered. “ Let us appear.” ’’ Bless me!” said the artist, a moment later. “ 1 must be imagining things, but I swear I can see fairies on the leaves However, I will paint them just as I see them.”

Looking up from his work a moment later, he saw no fairies at all. They had flown out of the window, and were hurrying back to find their work. “ Anyway,” comforteH- Karl, “ there will be one branch the less to paint.”