What the Wind Said

Southland Times, Issue 22969, 15 August 1936, Page 23 (Supplement)

What the Wind Said

— PRIZE — A slow, soft whisper from tree to tree Then wild, sweet laughter that called to me; That called me ever, and lured me on, With subtle magic and joyous song; That seemed to call to my heart to sing, The first wild notes of the joyous Spring; Then, hushed and tender, it quivered low, That Summer’s beauty might sleeping go, And breathed in my heart its subtle spell, For tender Summer I loved so well. But Autumn came, and the wind’s wild song Called wildly, tugging my heart along. It filled my soul in that breathless race, With joy in youth for a little space. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Isobel McKenzie (14), Dipton. — PRIZE — Softly through the tree-tops, Whispering a happy song, Singing to an audience. Of a hidden elfin throng. This is what his song was, As he sped upon his way, “I think it must be Springtime, That makes me feel so gay. “Or is it the fascination, Of seeing the flowers below, Slowly open their petals, And then nod to and fro?” —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Ngaire Head (12), Wireless Station, Awarua. — PRIZE — Blowing, whistling, down the street, Comes the wind upon the village; Boasting, blustering, butting, Bent on sinful, lustful, pillage. “Out of my vzay, sons of man, Out of my way, quick as ye can! “I am your King, Prince and Lord, Until I have gone far away; I can blow down your chimneys, Your roofs, and all your stacks of hay. While I am about this town, I shall crown myself with renown!” Prize of 1/- to Cousin Graeme Anderson (12), 78 Don street, Invercargill.

-VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— From sunny islands far away. Came a whispering wind one day, Singing merrily this glad refrain, “Wake up Howers, Spring’s here again. “Come little buds burst forth and grow, Put on your leaves, trees high and low. Birds are singing all day long, To welcome you all with a merry song. “Crocus, snowdrop, daffodil, Little white daisy, with your white frill, Blossom out and let folk know, It’s Old Man Winter’s time to go. “Hurry Mr Farmer, out to your ground, Seed time soon will come around, Oh, life is happy, glad and gay, When I come out in Spring to play.” —3 marks to Cousin Nan Clarke (11), South Hillend, Winton R.D. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED—“I have travelled north, south, east and west, In places I am hated, in others I am blessed. With many a gust, and a whirl and a cry, I have shaken the earth; made the seas run so high.

“Think of the cities I have passed in my travels, Just hark to the tales that I can unravel; Great cities and palaces; with mosques and with domes, These are the sights I meet when I roam. “Sometimes I’m merry, and sometimes I’m sad, And I’m certain it’s then, that people are glad, They don’t understand my moods or caresses, When I ripple the water or tousle their tresses.” Thus spoke the wind, as he passed through the trees, While they whispered and sighed to a little sad breeze, The wind gathered speed, that told of his zest, And was gone with a whirl to his home in the west. —3 marks to Cousin Frances Gibbon (15), 44 Cranley Street, Dunedin. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— As the wind came down, through the trembling leaves, And blew little ears from the golden sheaves, He whispered to me in a voice soft and sweet, “We’ll race to the town, and see who will beat.” Over the meadow daisies I ran, As fast as I could, from the giant fan Who followed behind me, laughing I think, As I raced through the hedge and over the brink. But just as I came to the city gates fair, The wind rushed right past me and beat me there. —3 marks to Cousin Ray McLeay (13), Otahu-Blackinount, Otautau R.D. The wind is asking me out to-day, Yes, I am sure it’s saying, “Come out to play,” Oh joy, when it blows through my hair, It seems to like me without a care. And keeps on saying, “Come out to play.” “Come out to play,” I am sure it says. He’s been saying it now for days and days. Of course, other people might not hear, But it seems just me he wants out there. And keeps on saying, “Come out to play-" —3 marks to Cousin Mona Thompson (12), Gap Road, Winton. J

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED—“Sorry to disturb you,” Said the noisy wind, As when passing by a window, He blew hard at the blind. “I'm just a little jolly boy. And I’m sure you do not mind. My having such a lot of fun, With your cheap tawdry blind.” —3 marks to Cousin Maureen Hill (11), Queen street, Dunedin. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— The wind came out of his house one day, And said, “Now I'll have some fun, I'll blow that old man's hat away And won’t I make him run. “I’ll blow dust round the corners, And won’t there be some fun, I’ll blows the ladies’ hats away, And then you’ll see them run.” But soon Mr Wind became tired, And said “I’m going to bed. So now you all know. That,” that's what the wind said. —3 marks to Cousin Joyce Howden (10), Mataura Island. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— Shivering and shaking among budding trees, The wind was heard to say, “I’m glad that I am playful, I’m glad it’s Spring to-day.

For I am feeling playful, And trouble I'd like to cause; For I am feeiin gplayful, I will obey no laws.” Springing gently from the west, The wind was heard to say, “Oh come, let’s all be happy. This is a holiday. The children all are playing, And folks are all at rest; Oh come, let’s all be happy, The day is at its best.” Shrieking around the chimney tops, The wind was heard to say, “I'm glad that I am useful, I’m glad that I can play. I’m glad that I can folks annoy, And blow away their hats; I'm glad that I am useful, I’m glad I don’t wear hats.” Howling around the bare brown trees, The wind was heard to say, “I’m glad that this is winter, And not a summer’s day. I'm glad that it is raining, And that the skies are grey; I’m glad that this is winter, And that it’s wet to-day.” —3 marks to Cousin Betty Greer (13), 295 Herbert street, Invercargill. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— I know it was one day in spring, The wind said, “I will whistle here.” He said, “the snow drops’ bells I’ll ring. And make the world all fresh and fair.” “Oh,” said the wind. “Summer I do see, Because it is such a very calm night. As well I know each child has tea, And goes to bed in the sunlight.” And when the autumn came that way, He said he’d blow the leaves from there, And as it’s such a windy day, Right up from high I’ll drop a pear. Ah, now, he stud, as winter came, I’ll blow the snowflakes all around, But then I know I won’t get fame, If I do put those clothes on ground. —2 marks to Cousin Mary Lobb (13), Box 28, Edendale.

The mail of the Lufthansa’s South Atlantic air service arrived at Frankfurt on a recent morning less than two days after having left Brazil, 6250 miles away.