THE HOLLOW TREE.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 29

THE HOLLOW TREE.

Letters to the Dawn Lady are answered as follow: Mavis Spinley, Devonport: The Dawn Lady was delighted to hear again from this kind little lady and to receive that box of wonderful roses. They looked so fresh and sweet among the sprays of fern when I lifted the lid, and when I arranged them they made a pretty bouquet. Thank you very much indeed, Mavis. I hope you will be successful in your examinations. The Little Thought waves his hand to June. I-ene Retter, Auckland: The middlesized Pixie Postman is feeling very proud of himself in his smart new suit, Irene, and he says to tell you that it tits beautifully. How cleverly you made it. I am sure that Gay du Faur and Jean Molndoe would like to hear from you. Gay lives at “Hawthornden,” Howick. and Jean’s address is Victoria Street, Whitiora, Hamilton. The Woodpecker will take care of your love messages for them. Congratulations on gaining all those marks in your examinations. Gloria Rawlinson, Auckland: Thank you for the riddle-me-ree and the wee story, Gloria. It was very exciting to read of that dream visit you and the Little Thought and the other Happy Town people paid to Jean Mclndoe. The Little Thought often flies down to HamiUon to Play in Jean’s garden, though grown-up people usually mistake him for a butterfly. The Sunbeams loved “Golden Hells,” and Elizabeth Christine sends a special thought for its young author. John Bunyan, Matata: I was glad to have another letter from my little friend -ohn. You have a happy time beside the lake. Do you ever paddle there? Please give my love to your wee sister. One of these days the Little Thought thinks she will be coming down Tiptoe Street, too. Billie Anderson. Remuera: Welcome to Happy Town, Billie. We are all glad that you are now a member of our happy family. The Doorkeeper and the Joy*“°P man are holding a discussion as to whether you are a girl or a boy. One **ys one thing most emphatically, and the other says the other thing even more emphatically, but the Woodpecker that you are a girL Much love, Eric and David Buchanan, Takapuna: l was surely a red letter day for the lawn Lady when she found that last wonderful bouquet of roses under the Happiness Tree, and the Little Thought away with some golden wishes for *ne little flower men. When the Sunbeams send me posies I always wear favours all the rest of that day, Af l . * have some wonderful buttonholes. warmest love and thanks to Eric and David. Bennet Lowry, Reporoa: I had not forgotten you, Bennet. even though it is a long time since vou last came down Tiptoe Street. Thank you for your interesting letter. You are lucky having those hot springs to bath in. Ruapehu and X gaum hoe must be a fine sight from Reporoa on a clear day. Are you keeping up your drawing. Bennet? T hope you are My best love to all the Sun-tx-ms rour house. Alex Hatwell, Huntly: Thank you for Jbe little vers-. “Birthday Wishes,” Alex. If all our wishes came true there would no for a Wishing Well in Happy Town. My best love to you and your brothers. Elsie Cox, Manurewa: I have sent the Little Thought flying off to Penrose with Tour love messages for Norma and Nancy jailer, so they are sure to reach them. *ou had a busv time preparaing for that ***** of work, Elsie. I hope you gain Plenty of marks in your examinations. Some Happy Town wishes for this Sunbeam. Esme Peacocks, Epsom: I am glad to «nd that Esme has been listening for tflc -ompetition Bell. Thank you for your two entries. . Elizabeth Christine. Auckland: All the >°y bells rang in Happy Town when we mund that Elizabeth was able to write : 'kain, and when the Little Thought saw 3 our letter he clapped his hands and said, “Goody, goody.’’ He always knows ’hat there will be a message for him, too.

’ The Woodpecker is taking care of your thoughts for all the Sunbeams who sent their love to you. Before me as I write, Elizabeth, there is a big bowl of fragrant sweet peas and roses with a neatly inscribed card peeping up in their midst, so you are very much in my thoughts. The Doorkeeper caught a glimpse of you as you left that big box in Tiptoe Street. How is that injured thumb behaving? Some golden thoughts and Happy Town love for Elizabeth. Althea Rubick, Arch Hill: Here comes a wee one. The Little Thought is peep-

ing at you round a tall hollyhock that grows near the gates of Happy Town. Welcome to this three-year-old who has now discovered our little world for little people. Lorna Cull, Wellington: Hurry, Little Thought. I want you to take this package of Happy Town wishes to a little girl who has not been very well lately. She lives in a house on a cliff overlooking the sea and you will find her playing with her dolls, I fancy. Our best love, little lady% Joyce Woodcock, Edendale: No, Joyce, I did not lik«* examination time either. It is hard being quite calm and collected when faced with a long, hard paper, isn’t it? Yes, I am sure you will always be kind to blind people. Somehow I think their darkness is lit by wonderful mental pictures to compensate them for what they have lost. Jean Farquhar and the Happy Town assistants will be glad that you have remembered them. John Nicholls, Mount Albert: A warm welcome to this laddie, who is now a Sunbeam of Happy Town. I shall always be glad to find letters from you in the mail. Have you any pets, John? Isabella Newman, Rotorua: What an exciting time you had down at the creek, Isabella. What did you do with the baby fish you caught in the cup? Did you put them back to grow up into big fish? The Little Thought thinks you did. When I was small, some of my playmates, whose parents were out, bathed their big sheep dog in the family bathroom! He sprang out and shook himself in the hall, and all the visitors thought it time to go home. Much love, little faithful one. Lilian Gibb, Archhill: Lilian is a very loyal Sunbeam, and I always enjoy her

I MESSAGES FOR SUNBEAMS.

• letters. Your two kittens must make a pretty picture when they are sharing the -;ame saucer, but it is inconsiderate cf Darkle to interfere. Some Happy Towi. i thoughts for Lilian. Joyce Rubick, Archhiil: The Pixie Postman wbo delivered your letter was i quite out of breath, Joyce, for he had obeyed your summons to the very letter. I am delighted that little sister is now a Sunbeam, too. If you wish you may, send in a drawing for the Christmas competition now. I see you have chosen the Swastika as your lucky sign. Joy Hill, Mount Albert: Jean Farquhar

is 13, Joy, and she lives at 1 liocklands Avenue, Dominion Roq.d. Does she owe you a letter? I have left your love for her and Dorothy Sanders and Eileen Gracie in the Hollow Tree. Thank you for the pansies, picked in that beautiful garden. The Little Thought was channed with the deep purple one. Sidney Gibb, Archhiff: Thank you, laddie. I enjoyed those two poems very much. Are you better these days? All the Happy Town people send a big package of love to this faithful little man. Doris Muchamore, Devonport: What a fine holiday you are going to have. Please give my love to little Earl Smith when you see him. No, I do not think I shall stray far from Happy Town at Christmas. Thank you very much for bringing’ another of your little friends down Tiptoe Street. Did “The Wild Oats of Han” reach you safely, Doris? My best love to this very faithful Sunbeam. Mervyn Cook, Hawera: You rascal! When the Pixie Postman found that you had addressed your letter to the “Smile Queen.’’ they thought 1 must have a secret name, but 1 guessed in a moment which little man had been writing to me. Thank you for all those jokes and tricks and riddles, Merry Boy. George Fraser, Devonport: A warm welcome to Happy Town, George. I shall be looking forward to your first letter and to hearing all about my new Sunbeam. Where do you go to school. Norma Christensen, Remuera: People should not have rheumatism until they are over sixtv. Norma. I do hope those horrid pains ‘will soon leave you. Your grandparents and your aunt are certainly having a happy time in England. My best love to Norma. Mary Potts, Opotiki: Sunbeams may crayon the painting competition pictures

if they wish, Mary, but they are always more attractive when painted. lam glad you are hearing so often from Nola Craig and I am sure you will enjoy Norma Waller’s letters. Supposing you choose some more correspondents from the Hollow Tree? Dulcie Craig, who lives at 46 Liverpool Street, Epsom, Auckland, would like to hear from some of the Sunbeams. She is a fine little girl. Marjorie Cubitt, Te Papapa: You will find a painting competition announced to-day. Marjorie, so your wish has come true. And you know Alan Prentice? He will be glad to see that you have come to Happy Town, too. If you would like to write to some of the Sunbeams I shall let you have the addresses. Much love to Marjorie. Ruth Christensen, Remuera: Pot-hooks become magic words when they are sent to Happy Town, Ruth, and I can always read between the lines in letters from , very small people. The Little Thought sends a kiss to his happy wee friend. Jack Hemara, Te Kuiti: I was very I sorry to hear that your little brother met I with that accident, Jack. Is he out of

good joke about tlie watch, Jack. As watches always run down when left unwound they should certainly be able to come downstairs. My love to this faithful Sunbeam. Sylvia and Meryla Webb, Glen Eden: The Little Thought has just sped in with a message to say that you are unable to write as you are both in quarantine. Thank you for sending me your love. I hope you will soon be up and perfectly strong again. Nancy Waller, Penrose: That accident might have been much more serious, Nancy, and I am glad that you ail escaped so lightly. I do hope your am has recovered. Your love thoughts fo: Jean, .Pearl Knepp, Eileen and Joyce, are now safely tucked away in the deep dark hollow where the Woodpecker lives. Dorothy Sanders, Morningside: Thank vou for your list of books, little lady. Your prize book will be reaching you Norman Lydster, Takapuna: What a wonderful birthday, Norman, and I am glad you had a party, too. Is the toy motor-car still working, and how many pictures have you coloured in that painting book? Thank you for the joke. Phyllis Miller, Otahuhu: We can all guess the reason when there is a long time between this Sunbeam’s letters, but Summer Time, M.D., thinks you will be much stronger now. Thank you very much for that magazine. It was very kind of you to send it. Much love from Happy Town to our faithful Phyllis. Isa Douglas, Huntly: Christmas will soon be here, Isa, and you are wise to begin making your presents in good time. How glad you must be that examinationtime is nearly over. We are having plenty of sunshiny days in Auckland, too. Nola Craig, Mount Albert: You will feel a very smart mermaid in that new bathing suit, Nola. What a jolly time you had at the bazaar. The Doorkeeper thinks you were lucky to have two afternoon teas. The Woodpecker was delighted with your letter, and he has sent a feather flying down Tiptoe Street. If you shut your eyes, count ten, and jump, you may be able to catch it. Buz lias lost one of his friends, as the Waller’s cat had to be destroyed. Margaret Norley, Whangarei: Welcome to this new member, who is already quite familiar with the Woodpecker and the Little Thought. I enjoyed your first letter very much, Margaret, and I hope you will write me many more. The Dawn Lady loves wild flowers, too. Do you ever make daisy chains? I shall look forward to receiving your Christmas story. Norma Waller, Penrose: That big foxglove you found must surely have housed numbers of fairies, Norma. The Little Thought would have liked to have been the landlord, but of course we need him in Happy Town. The examinations will soon be over, and I feel sure that you will pass. All your Happy Town friends send their love. Jean Farquhar, Mount Eden: Yes, you may send your story for the Christmas Competition now if you wish, Jean. You will find another painting picture to-day, but don't forget that elusive name. The Little Thought will be at your elbow during the Proficiency examinations, so you are sure to pass. My best love, little lady of the orchids. Dulcie Craig, Epsom: A rose-pink sweet pea and a spray of fern are in my buttonhole to-day, Dulcie. Can you guess which Sunbeam's garden they came from? Thank you for that charming little bouquet. The Doorkeeper says he would like to plant the “shaky grass” outside the Place-of-You-Never-Can-Tell, because it looks like a tiny tree. You will soon have a Happy Town correspondence if you write to some of the Sunbeams whose addresses I have given you. My warmest love and thanks, little faithful one. Leslie Waller, Penrose: That is sad news about Fluff, Leslie. I hope you will soon have another cat to take his place. What a horrid accident. You were fortunate to escape with that small injury. And those baby thrushes have flown, and the parent birds are building a new nest? I am glad that little children do not go away like thaL The Woodpecker is taking care of your kind wishes for Jean, Dorothy Sanders, Alan Gracie, Buz and Monty. Jean Cramp, Royal Oak: All the joy bells rang when we found that Jean had recovered and that she will soon be having a holiday. I thiuk Elizabeth Christine saw you quite clearly when she came to that dream party, Jean The Little Thought has sped away to tuck your love message under her pillow. And you and Connie Whiteford are great

i hospital now? Please give him my best ! love, and some good wishes from all the Happy Town people. Thank you very much for the airplane story. I hope you will soon have enough money to buy a bicycle. George Dormer, Mount Eden: The picnic at St. Heliers Bay must have been fine fun, George. Did you enter for any of the events? I have searched Happy Town for that picture, but am afraid it has gone astray. Could you draw it again or let me have another to enter in the competition? I have left your love for the other Sunbeams with the Woodpecker. Winifred Taylor, Rotowaro: Welcome, Winifred, and many thanks for your story. When next you write please would you let me know your age. I wonder if you know any other Happy Town Sunbeams? My love and greetings to this new member. Doris Lydster, Takapuna: Those white sea-horses galloping home make me feel like taking a sea voyage, Doris. Thank you for the interesting poem. Kathleen Lord. Turua: Sixteen little chicks and every one died? What hard luck, Kathleen. I wonder what happened to them? Yes, we have had#some wonderful days in Auckland, lately, and the Little Thought is still feeling proud of his freckle. Some Happy Town love for this Turua Sunbeam. Eileen Gracie, Glen Eden: Thank you for your letter and story, Eileen. I. too, i liked Gloria’s quaint little poem, “Golden Beils.” I am sure Joy Hill would like you to write to her. Her address is 27 Kowhai Street, Mount Albert, and she is about 14. The Woodpecker is guarding your love message for her and also your thoughts for Rina, Connie and Jean. Jack Lydster, Takapuna: That is a

friends? How splendid that is. Please give her a happy wish from the Dawn Lady. The Woodpecker lias promised to look after your love for Gloria Rawlinson, Eileen Gracie, Jean Mclndoe, Norma and Nancy Waller, and all the other Sunbeams who leave their good wishes for you in the Hollow' Tree. The Dawn Lady sends a big package of thoughts to Jean. Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: The very smallest Pixie Postman has set out for Hamilton to search brother Pat’s pockets, but, as he is attempting the journey on foot, I am afraid he will be a long time in reaching your place. And he takes such tiny steps! Perhaps he will be able to beg a lift in some passing car. An armful of Happy Town sunshine for Jean. Annie Archer, Auckland: I was glad to have your very neat letter and to find that yo.u have not forgotten the familiar route to Happy Town. What a busytime you are having with your studies. You certainly deserve to pass. X still have that dainty little handkerchief, Annie, and it always makes me think of you. No, I have not yet discovered the identity of that fairy godmother who frequently peeps over the fence into Happy Town. Thank you for the riddles, Annie. Jean Farquhar will find your love message under the Woodpecker’s wing. Colin Mackie, Devonport: So baby David has discovered one of his ears and is always trying to take it off to play with. I do hope he doesn’t succeed. Please thank him for that beautiful smile he sent me. One of these days I hope he will be one of my Sunbeams, too. Please give my love to Rive when next you write to him. Good luck in those examinations, Colin. M. Rose, Onehunga: Your sprays of fruit are very realistic. Miss Onehunga. and the Doorkeeper is trying to take oni? of the blackberries. Much love to this happy Sunbeam. Jewel Dennis, Okahukura: Trixie seemed a very suitable name for your kitten, Jewel, and I am glad you have called her that. Yes, swimming days are certainly happj- ones, and I am sure you love splashing about in the water after school. Can you dive. Jewel? A golden wish for the iittle girl with the pretty name. Molly Langdon, Auckland: That is a charming photograph of you among the daisies, Molly, and all the Pixie Postmen have fallen in love with your curls. Thank you also for your list of books. I shall forward your prize soon. The Woodpecker will take care of your thoughts for Joyce Woodcock, and the Waller Sunbeams, and we are all glad that you are now your happlv little self again. Much love to little Miss Molly. Olive Courtney. Henderson: Wait Little' Thought. Here is a letter from Olive, and she has sent me a poem and some beautiful rose petals. I can shut my eyes and now I am in Olive’s garden. Most of the Sunbeams are faithful, but here are the names of some of the very regular Happy Town correspondents:—Jean Mclndoe. Gloria Rawlinson, Margaret Anderson, Eileen Gracie, Irene Retter, Jean Farquhar, Gay du Faur, Nola Craie. Joy Hill. Mary Potts—ip fact, you will find ma.iy familiar names if you glance down the Hollow Tree. I shall let you know any of their addresses. One little girl you would like is Dulcie Craig, who lives at 4B Liverpool Street, Epsom. My best love, little lady.