SPRING

Southland Times, Issue 20903, 12 October 1929, Page 22

SPRING

—Prize.— “Isn’t this miserable,” cried Pixie Uno. “Yes, simply dreadful,” cried another Pixie. “Fancy such long ‘dull days,’ ” grumbled little elf Sunshine. “My name doesn t suit this weather.” A little company.of elves, fairies and pixies were gathered together in a hollow tree complaining of the dreadful weather they were having. In Fairyland long, long ago, the fairies used to call YVinter “Dull Days,” but they don’t now, because there are never any dull days in that land of little people. Dead leaves were strewn around the old tree trunk to keep the little people warm, but one very daring little elf calld Lightning Wings said: “I don’t care, I am going out to seek my fortune. It’s so dull sitting in this old home of ours. Goodbye brothers! Expect me back when you see me. Ha! Ha!” “Good-bye, little friend,” they all called, “good luck -to you.” Then Lightning Wings went on his way. He wandered along for many days eating what he could obtain in the way of berries. At last he came upon a large, hollow tree, in which he heard sighing, moaning and crying sounds. Lightning Wings peeped in and there he saw several tiny elves, fairies and pixies, all very sad. “What is wrong ?’’ cried Lightning Wings. “The Queen’s little son, Prince Handsome, has disappeared. No one knows where,” moaned a very tiny elf. “The very opportunity!” cried Lightning Wings, "I was just' looking for an adventure! Where shall I go to find the palace of her Royal Highness the Queen?” “Third turn to the right, and straight on till midnight,” cried a fairy. “Third turn to the right,” muttered Lighting Wings, as he flew on his way. As the last stroke of twelve sounded Lightning Wings caught sight of the palace which belonged to the Fairy King. On asking for the King at the gates, Lightning YVings was asked his name and on what errand he was. As soon as the guard knew, he told Lightning YVings to enter and go to the King,.who was on his throne in the fourth passage. “Your Majesties,” said Lightning YVings bowing down before the King and Queen, “I have heard that Prince Handsome is lost. I think I may be able to put some light into the matter.” “YVhere! Where!” cried the King and Queen in one voice, greatly excited. “Well,” replied Lightning YVings, “the other day I saw a large spider carrying off a silken bundle. That wicked spider with hairs all over him. Spider Black Back is his name.” After this speech there was a short pause, then the Fairy King said: “Listen, Lightning YVings. If you will take with you a band of my soldiers to fight this spider and win back my son, I will be very pleased. I shall arrange a party for tomorrow to go out in search of my son.” Lightning Wings was very pleased to do this. He was given a good bed that night at the palace, and accordingly the next morning Lightning YVings set out with the band of soldiers. Up and down, to and fro the party searched. Under bushes and flowers they looked. At last Lightning YVings spied the spider’s lair. Up to it he flew and peeped in, but he could see nothing as it was so dark. Very soon the great spider crawled out and the party grew so afraid that they ran and hid. As soon as the spider had disappeared Lightning YVings ventured into its lair. It was very dark, but soon he reached a large room where the silken bundle was lying in a corner. Lightning Wings staggered out bearing the large bundle, but just as he reached the entrance Spider Black Back appeared. He was very much astonished and immediately lost his temper. “What have you been doing in here?” he shouted. “Get away! go away! go on, drop that!” The soldiers acted at once or they knew the Prince would be gone forever. A fierce fight ensued between the two sides. The soldiers were greater in number so they soon slayed the wicked spider and took home their Prince. Oh! the joy of the King and Queen when they saw their best beloved Prince Handsome come out of the silken bundle! It was absolutely indescribable joy. That night a great feast was held in honour of Lightning Wings and of the return of Prince Handsome. Lightning YVings had a joyful time on this royal occasion. YVhen Lightning Wings’ friends knew of his bravery they thought a great deal of him and decided to try something like that. In a few days the Fairy Queen asked the weather pixie if he would make some good weather for a few out-door games and parties. “Certainly,” replied the weather pixie, “you shall have three months of good weather, after the long Dull Days I have given you. You shall have flowers in abundance, too. After the long rest during winter she tells Spring to deck herself with flowers for Spring is a very joyful season. Little lambs scamper about in the rich green fields. Birds twitter in the branches and make their nests. Sweet little flowers peep out from the grass and the water of the brook seems very clear and fresh as it ripples over the pebbles. Altogether Spring is the most joyful season of the year. Now you know why. —2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Nola Mitchel (12), 41 Nelson street, Enwood, Invercargill.

—Commended.— Spring, Summer, Autumn and YVinter W’ere four Queens. Each had a separate loveliness and each wanted to be Queen of the whole earth. They argued so much that at last King Earth said that he would put an end to their disagreements. He promised that each should have three months’ reign and the people of the world would judge which they thought ought to be QueenSpring, Summer, Autumn and YVinter were soon deep in their plans. YVinter ordered the Fairies to prepare a pure white material of the softest texture possible. “I am the oldest,” she said proudly, "and I think a white gown would be very becoming to me.” The material arrived and soon a dress was made which was very beautiful indeed. YVinter tried it on, stood before the mirror and arranged her auburn tresses in delight. The three other Queens looked rather enviously at her and wished that they had been first. However, Autumn next prepared a robe. Hers was a gaily-coloured silk garment with frills and flounces of various shade of brown and trailing streamers of red and gold 'ribbons. The red-cheeked creature laughed a gay, happy laugh, threw back her lovely dark curls and pranced around in front of her sisters. Then Summer began her preparations. She had just got to the age where she considered herself quite grown up and she wanted to dress neatly and in the most becoming way. She made a dainty dress from silver satin, shoes of silver, and decorated her costume here and there with knots of red and green. She did not dance by as Autumn had done, but walked sedately away.

were arranged among ferns and other bush greens. “How perfectly lovely,” exclaimed Summer.

“Don’t admire her,” said YVinter, “she’ll get too stuck up.” “YVell,” said Autumn in a breezy manner, “who’ll be first?” “The oldest” began Winter. “First shall be last and last shall be first,” sung Summer and Autumn together. “Well, well, we had better start at the youngest,” agreed YVinter, knowing Autumn’s fiery temper and strong will. At last the order was agreed upon and Spring sallied forth arrayed to meet the world. She was greeted with enthusiasm everywhere for she beautified the whole countryside. Over the fields she laid soft green carpets studded with flowers; the hills she clothed again in varying shades of green and every shady nook she sprinkled with flowers. All were sorry when she packed up but were rather curious to see liow Summer got on.

Then Summer came on the scene! She laid a still thicker carpet of flowers over the countryside, she changed Spring’s green to a deeper shade still and then sat resting and smiling on her work. She was very quiet and left a peaceful scene behind her.

Then came Autumn! She tore down half of Summer’s careful work with a careless hand and then splashed gay-coloured paint over the remaining foliage. She ran laughing down the lanes and roads, chasing the leaves as she went, she shrieked, laughed and chied in turns and would be silent for a moment only to burst out again with fresh life. It seemed only a short time until she was gone and YVinter appeared. YVinter felt very motherly to the victims of Autumn’s fancy. She laid a white blanket over all and wept cold tears upon them. At times she would burst into real grief, moaning and howling over the bare kingdom that lay before her and then would sob herself to sleep. Then at last after YVinter’s time, the deciding day came. The four queens stood together each with her own peculiar beauty. “I like the peacefulness of Summer,” said some,

“Now, it’s my turn,” said Spring,” and she began to wonder what -was left for her.

She could not think of anything so she went to the Fairies for counsel. YVhen she came back her eyes were dancing and she caried a mysterious parcel under her arm. “I’m going to get ready by myself,” she announced importantly and fluttered away to her room. YVhen she came back her sisters could do nothing but stare in amazement.

“And I the freshness of Spring,” said others.

“How we love the snow,” said the children, “and the winds of Autumn.” Notes were taken but each queen had exactly the same number. “I suggest that we should continue as this last year has been,” said the king. “Aye! Aye!” said everyone, and so it was agreed upon.

Her petal frock was set off by a long train of green composed only of trailing grasses sprinkled here and there with daisies and daffodils. Her feet were clad in the daintiest of green moss slippers with fringes of violets round the top. Round her neck and in her hair were daisy chains while on her shoulder was a knot of pansies and small ferns. On her arm hung a basket of the most beautiful flowers. Primroses, violets, asters, wattle, daffodils, pansies, large snow-white daisies and other flowers

Until this day we have Spring, Summer, Autumn and YVinter all the year round and could not do without any one.”

—2 marks to Cousin Annie YVilliamson (15), Lanark Street, Mosgiel.