THE BIRTH OF GUIDING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 16

THE BIRTH OF GUIDING

Eleven little fairies—so tiny that un less you were very observant you would have mistaken them for moonbeams, sat in a circle on tiny toadstools. All round was a dense fores. The rays of the moon filtered throuv‘, the trees, making the scene eerie h, enchanting. But hark! The fairies are sdcii, ing! Creep closer, but do not let them see you. or they will fly away \ silvery voice is saying: "Oh. Love, I am beginning t» sroaold. The modern girls are forgettinlail about Honour, and I must gi ve my immortality. Sonic day 1 S h- 11 die.” "Love.” said another, whose nam, was Loyalty, "I have the same renort as Honour. I. too. am being forma ten. I. too, must die." “Alas,” said Love, "if this continue* mortals will soon know our influence no longer. Duty, what is your report?'* And so it went on. All the fairies except Cheerfulness were doomed i 0 grow old. A few minutes passed in silence. Suddenly Love stood up or her toadstool and called to the others "Listen, I have an idea! There K yet a hope that we may live for Into the mind of one I will put great thoughts. But wait, meet me here when next the full moon lisrhts t’io world.” With a flash they all departed. A month later, when the moon was full, I made my way to the same spot The fairies had arrived before me With excited chatter, the business of the evening began. “Well. Honour.” said Love, with a smile, “have ycfu anything different t„ report?” With an excited laugh Honour answered: “Oh. Love, something wonderful has happened. A great kinshiu called the Girl Guides has started and it has taken as one of its laws, a Guide's honour is to be trusted.’ While Guides live I need never die.” "I shall always bo immortal, too." cried Loyalty, “for the second Guide law is, ‘A Guide Is loyal.’ ” Duty, Friendship. Courtesy and the little fairy whose task it was to enthuse people with a love for animals. Obedience. Cheerfulness. Thrift and Purity, all then laid claim to immortality for the same reason. “I believe you thought it all out’’ said Honour to Love, with an admiring glance. “I had to do something,” said Love, “for when you die I die also. Hail to the new kinship! May it live and prosper.” An owl hooted. The fairies fled. I was left alone. —Silver Heel (Dayhne Dymock, Seddon Terrace, Frankton).