THE WIND AND THE SEA

Southland Times, Issue 21193, 20 September 1930, Page 22

THE WIND AND THE SEA

—First Prize—•‘l am the Wind, presumptuous Sea. Come here and have some fun with me. I love to go frolicking over the rocks with you.” “Do you really? Come along then.” “There's a ship on your waters. Say we rouse a storm ?” “A lovely idea. Now blow till your cheeks are bursting, Brother Wind.” “Willingly. But who are those beautiful maidens swimming in your transparent depths? They seem to be afraid of our storm.” “My gracious! so they do, poor things. Those lovely maidens you talk about are mermaids. They have a large coral castle down there and they do not like the storm because they have such hard work to do then.” “But what work are they bound to do?” “Well, you see Brother Wind, when a ship is wrecked there is generally some mortal drowned and the pretty sea maidens are forced to bury him or some evil shark which lurks in me would come and eat it. The mermen and maidens cannot bear to see such treacherous things happen; so to-prevent their own sorrow they bury the body.” "Oh dear! How dreadful it must be to have io do such work. Please don’t make a storm. It would torment them so.” But, I am the Sea. I must do my work. Come, help me grind the rock away?’ “I would if there was time, but it’s this way you know’. You have your work and I have mine, but there’s plenty of time for mine. Yes, Master Sea I shall help you to grind some rocks. “Good, generous lad. I shall pay you well for this. What do I care if ships go down in me?” “Do not be so merciless dear brother. I have power over you. I can lash you into any shape I please, I can make you calm and quiet, I can make you rough and threatening; but Cousin Rock is the one to torment you.” “Upon my word he is. How many times have I tried my hardest to break him asunder? But no, he is far too strong for me. But what is that it is the call of the river in me.” “I don’t suppose you have been up the river, as far as the waterfall, have you? “Oh no! I am not allowed up those parts. They are out of my reach.” “What if I took you up in the form of a tidal wave. Would not that be fun.” “Oh yes. It is just the time for tidal waves too, is it not?” “Ha! Ha! Ha! How funny! You don't seem to know that there is no special time for tidal waves. You cannot help doing a thing when you are made to do it.” “Clever again.' Of course you are right. Remember you had your bit of tragic fun the other day when you caused such a hurricane in Santo Domingo.” “So I had. I had forgotten all about it until you spoke.” “Good gracious me! Won’t the people get a shock when they see us coming down stream?” “Won’t they!” “What a noise!” “That’s the cataract.” “What a magnificent waterfall.” “It is most marvellous I agree.” “The sun is extra near the hills.” “Yes. It is getting late.” “But our work. We have not done it. It is supposed to be finished at nightfall.” “That is quite true. I am off. Cheerio.” -3/- and 4 marks to Cousin Peggy Playfair (12), Gummies Bush, Riverton R.D.