A Sunny Morning

Southland Times, Issue 22199, 16 December 1933, Page 18

A Sunny Morning

It is sunrise. Old Sol is appearing over the rim of the mountains, shedding his golden glory down on the sleeping world below. It seems as if a magic wand is waved over the earth, for, as soon as it feels the caressing warmth of the sunbeams it awakes. Birds flutter among the trees and in the fields, stretch their tiny winds and burst into a melodious song. The lark, soaring up into the blue sky, pours forth his liquid music, in a tumult of joy. The sun rises higher. Now the labourers begin their day’s toil in the fields, cutting and stacking the golden grain. Their song floats faintly upwards to the green hill-side where I sit; the sheep around me “baa” softly to one another; the cows, having been milked, wend their way leisurely to their various paddocks, and the blue cascade, falling among moss-covered rocks, ripples and dances with a myriad of colours. The work of the day is now well in hand. The low, monotonous hum of our busy little friends, the bees, is heard as they hover over a field carpeted with clover, and buzz from flowerto flower. A gentle breeze blows through the uncut com, setting it whispering with a thousand rustlings and on the broad bosom of the placid river, meandering towards the mighty ocean, the sunbeams play. It grows later. The sun is now nearing its zenith, forcing me to seek cover beneath the leafy boughs of the trees. Work, too, is lagging, for most of the men are thinking of the satisfying meal that will await them at noon. Only the bees and butterflies seem unaffected by the heat, and they flit, just as busily as before, to and fro. The rainbow wings of the latter look even brighter in this light, and I think of how happy they must be. Ah! Down in the fields below me I can see the labourers preparing for their meal, and this marks the end of a perfect morning. I also leave my writing for lunch. 4 marks and 2/- to Cousin Joan Pilcher (12), 28 McMaster st., East In gill. —Prize— The sun, rising in the east and cheering the spirits of all, bathes the surroundings in a purple glory. The distant snow-capped mountains glitter in the rising sun and the lark hovers about in the azure blue sky. The mirror-like waters of the tranquil lake, sparkling like diamonds, help to make the lovely scenery more beautiful. The bees proceed on their round of gathering the honey from the flowers which are opening their eyes and showing off their hues. The bellbird, the tui, and many others are singing their morning songs and chirping their thanks for the crumbs thrown on the lawn for them. A gentle breeze blows, swaying the branches of the trees to and fro. There is not a cloud to be seen. All above is blue.

O Nature! What treasures thou dost possess. . —4 marks and 2/- to Cousin Eugenie McKenzie (11), Marine Parade, Bluff.

It is nice to get up when the sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing and everything looks bright and cheery. There is a little dew on the grass. The rooster is crowing and the hens are cackling. The chickens are running in and out of the hen coop. The little lambs race and run about the paddock just as if they, too, were greeting the sun. When you get up on a sunny morning it is nice to go round the flow garden. The flowers open their faces to the sun. There is a sweet perfume fll round you. It seems to be a sweeter scent than on drizzly mormngs The little bees are flying to and fro in search of honey. The big bumble bees are buzzing about.

Everything is fresh and cool on a sunny morning. 4 marks and 2/- to Cousin Pattie Smith (10), Glencoe R.D.

—Highly Commended —

In the early morning about fivethirty, the sky away in the east, was becoming reddy-yellow in colour. Soon mingled with this, was a thin streak ot light blue. At six o’clock, the tip of the sun appeared above the horizon. Then suddenly the sun’s blinding rays appeared and in a few minutes time, the sun was ascending the heavens. During the morning, the sun rose higher and higher, shedding its rays upon the world. As the morning had grown older, the sky had become cloudless, and the sun hotter and hotter. Earlier in the morning, the birds had been awoken by the sun’s rays streaming into their nests, and the flowers also opened their eyes to the rays of the sun. Floating in the air, were myriads ot exquisite insects, some large, some small, and of various colours and shapes. Now and again, one would alight on the foliage of an over-hang-ing branch, which was covered with dark and light green leaves. All the time, one could hear the buzzing of the bees, and croaking of the grass-hopper. Above all this noise, the twittering of the birds could be heard, as they flew from tree to tree. Everything is merry and bright on a sunny morning, and no one should be down in the dumps. —3 marks to Cousin Paul Mclnnes, (11), 9 Duke street, Invercargill.

Highly Commended —

I woke up to find the sky caressed in a light blue, while a few misty clouds were hovering across it. Away to the east shone the burning sun, while the feathered songsters, bathed in its sunshine, singing their melodies. A slight breeze was blowing, swaying the flowers to and fro. The beasts in the farmyard lay down to rest, while the only sound to be heard was the hen, who was strutting round in the sunshine. The first thing I did was my work, then I sat under the expanding branches of an old elm tree, and read a book. I then walked round admiring the beauties all around.

As I was returning, the dog and her puppies basking in the rays of the sun, ran to meet me. Nearly everything was silent! It seemed to talk of the greatness of God! As the clock was striking twelve I thought, what a peaceful place the farmyard is, when it is sunny. —3 marks to Cousin Ruth Finlay, (12) Stewart street, East Invercargill.

—Highly Commended—

On a sunny morning I jump out of bed and dress and go to feed my pet cat Dusky. I go to look at the flowers. How pretty they look with the dew on them I watch the calves scampering and think the world is a lovely place. I listen to the birds singing and calling to their mates. I think a bright sunny morning is one of the nicest things we can have.

3 marks to Cousin Violet Henderson (7), Glenham.

—Commended — Morning.

One morning, I woke up early, pleased to find the sun shining brightly through my window. I dressed quickly, hoping all the time that the day would stay as it had started. After I had washed, I resolved to feed my hens—usual morning work for me. On walking towards the oatshed, 1 heard the cocks crowing, the ducks quacking, and the chicks cheeping. After feeding the innumerable birds, I walked to the paddock with mother to feed the calves, lambs and ferrets which were in a cage on the border of the paddock. As we neared the animals, they started roaring and bellowing—a noise to make anyone deaf. On completing that particular work, we made our way towards the house, where we would

have our breakfast. . •„ “What a beautiful sunny morning. I kept saying to myself. After finishing iny work, I decided to sit in the sun—shine and read a book. I had not read much, however, when my friend Netta, came and asked me to go for a swim. I secured my trunks, and started off for the Oreti River. The weather was very hot, and tne walk to the river was tiring. At last we reached the river, pleased to bathe in the cool water. After we had been there for an hour we decided to make our way home; so packing up our trunks we started off. . , When I reached my home, I asked Netta if she would come for a walk in the sunshine during the afternoon. She consented; and then made her way towards her destination. After lunch 1 changed into my summer dress, and while waiting for my friend I read my At last she came and we proceeded on our way. The weather was so hot that we had to sit down on the roadside and read our books which we had brought with us. At last the happy, tiring day came to an end, and we two girls returned home, so tired that we could lie down on our beds and fall 2 marks to Cousin Doreen Thomson, (11), Centre Bush —Commended — On a summer morning it is good to be alive and to awake and see the sun shining brightly through my bedroom window. I do not waste time lying in bed but get up quickly and put my C 1 After 'breakfast I go outside to look at the garden. How fresh everything tooks, the flowers and grass stall with the dew sparkling on them. The we white daisys peep up at me throug the grass. I love to make daisy chains with them. _ ~ ... „ In the hedges and trees the birds are singing so gaily as they fly about seeking food for their little ones. When it is nearing dinner time the sun usually is too hot and it is then like to take my book and sit m tne shade reading. I like a summer corning ever so much better that a winter one as it is then so cold out of doors. —2 marks to Cousin Zoe Bates (9), Lilburn. —Commended — Spring In spring the sun rises at 7. a.m. It is fairly hot during the morning and we see the buds on the trees. Also w see buds on the plants and here and there we see a daffodil. Summer. Summer is the time we go to the beach! If we have a peep at our garden we will notice it is full of flowers. We don’t see any daffodils because their season is over but we see plenty of roses. Autumn. During autumn on a sunny morning we see leaves falling from trees. We see dead flowers, but there are still signs of the daffodil leaves. Winter. In winter the sun rises late and it isn’t very hot. . 1 mark to cousin Blanche Mclnnes (9) 9 Duke street, Invercargill.