PETER, PATTY, AND MR PIP.

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

PETER, PATTY, AND MR PIP.

STINGERS !

(SPF.CIAI Foil THE OTAGO WITNESS.)

\V hat is that buzzing noise ! ” inquired Mr Pip, “and what is making it?” “Stingers! ’’ replied Kitty. “Look out, or they’ll bite you! ” “My’ dear Kitty, they’ll never come near me! ” declared Pip very’ grandly. Perhaps not! sneered Kitty’, “ you’re hardly’ attractive enough.” Meantime the Wasp family continued to buzz. Not much sport to-day,” complained Miss Wasp, “ I haven’t stung anvonc for hours.” “ Come along, then,” invited Mrs Wasp, “ we’ll soon find a happy hunting ground.” “Hear that?” whispered Kitty “They’re out for mischief, butTm not afraid of’any sillv old wasp” Ln fortunately’ the wasps heard what she said. 1

cli hu\c chum \ et, chuckled Airs Wasp, u but we’ll try the jdggics first M And they- buzzed around a family of little white pigs until the poor animals ran squealing into their stv near her ”°" M °° eOW Can •’ u,n P’” Httle Miss Wasp. “She always hops about when we go obli <, ed ' bo PP cd ’ ski PPed, and jumped, tucked her head in, and raced round the meadow. .T’S? 1 ', 1 *, er *^ one n .°"> adnsed Mrs Wasp. “Look! Something better is coming!” « tie - Y noticed US I.” as ked Mr Pip, who had been watching the attack with Peter, Pattv and Kittv “Don’t know,” answered Kitty. “Wait and see!” *’ •

silly olc/wasp?” 1 a”' l ” ‘ ,UZZed Mr 3 Wasp ' “ Now > ln -V dears, forward to the attack. This creature ca.led me a So they attacked, and Kitty danced beautifully! But she didn’t enjoy the dance—not a bit! Because those wretched wasps made tor her little black face, and she was thoroughly scared. “ Ha-ha! ” smiled Mr Pip. “Who said ‘ha-ha’? inquired Mrs Wasp, turning round. “Oh! You. Forward again, my children and teach this animal better manners.” ’ • 1 ’ aim icacu Poor Pip was in. such a state of fright that he couldn’t move, but he let out some awful veils. ‘I must stop this,” muttered Kitty to herself. “ Can’t let old Pip be annoyed bv those pests ’’ Which showed how very kind and forgiving she was! *

Off bolted Mr Pip in terror, with the Was]) Family hanging on to him. “Great sport,” smiled little Miss Wasp. “Like a switehbaek! ” J hen Kitty had a brain-wave. She spied an old drainpipe in the field and quickly she sped towards it. Sitting on top she beckoned to Mr Pip. “Through here,” she shouted, “through here, and you’re saved.” Pip was racing as hard as he could, followed by Peter and Pattv, who had caught up butterfly nets with which to catch the Wasp Family. Nearer and nearer they drew to the drainpipe ....

; Through the pipe flew Mr Pip, and—Biff! Biff! Biff!—off his back flew the Wasp Family. ■ “ Ha-ha! ” chuckled Mr Pip, appearing at the other end of the “tunnel,” “that taught you a lesson, didn’t it?” • Peter and Patty were delighted with the success of Kitty’s ruse, and Kitty looked as proud as a peacock. “You re really rather a clever person,” remarked Mr Pip, patting her head. “ Who else would have thought of the drainpipe? ” But the YY asp Family was frightfully angry. “ Revenge is sweet! ”it buzzed, “and we'll have ours before the day is out! ”

And then the Stingers got busy again. Buzzing furiously, they attacked the whole party, and threatened to sting them to death. “Home!” yelled Peter. “Malte for home as fast as you can!” And they bolted homewards, with the wasps in full chase. Through the front door they dashed, shut it tight, and shouted to the enemy: “ Foiled! ” . . “ Try the window,” said Mrs Wasp, “ it was open a little while ago.” Round to the window flew the Wasp Family, just as Peter and Patty climbed up on the window-seat. “ Foiled again! ” chuckled Peter, slamming down the glass. And all the banging and buzzing in the world couldn’t get the Wasp Family through either the wooden door or .the glass window. So they just had to turn round and go home. ’ “Narrow escape,” said Mr Pip. “Doesn’t do to let wasps hear you say nasty things about them! ”