FREDDIE FLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 35

FREDDIE FLY

“Now,” said Mrs. Fly, “keep out of mischief, Freddie, while I have forty winks. Don’t try to paddle in the milk —it’s much too deep. And don’t get your wings stuck up with jam!” “All right, Mummie," answered Freddie. “I’m quite a big fly now, you know, and old enough to take care of myself.” “I’m not so sure of that,” murmured Mrs. Fly, hiding a yawn politely behind her foot. Presently she was dosing in the cornei* of the larder window, and Freddie crept softly away. He soon found a little dish of jam, and by' standing on the edge he was able to dip in his long tongue without getting his wings sticky, though, of course, .he got the jam spread all over his face—just like a boyl When ho had finished with that, and eaten all the sugar he wanted, he flew out into the kitchen. Suddenly he espied, hanging from the top shelf of the dresser, something that made his mouth water. It looked like a ribbon made of honey, and several flies seemed to be enjoying it. Thinking he was in for a treat, Freddie alighted on the “ribbon”—and then he began to buzz loudly with fright, for lie found he couldn't move! It was dreadful I The harder he tried to walk off the mess, the deeper his feet got stuck. He unlaced his boots and tried to flv out of them, but unfortunately a wing got stuck in the process. Poor Freddie was crying very loudly, when luckily his Mummie happened to wake up and hear his voice. Off she flew to the rescue, and quickly licked r red die’s wing free. Then she grabbed him safely by tli» back of his neck and flew off home with him. scolding all the while. “B-but, M-mummie,” sobbed Freddie, “I thought it was lovely honey— I didn t know it was gum!” “Honey! You sillv little thing!” buzzed his mother. “How- often have I warned you about those horrid, sticky booby-traps— meant to catch foolish flies like you? Really, at your age, you ought to know better! Told me you could look after yourself, indeed —and this is tiae mess you get into the very moment my back ~is turned. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Well, well, it's no use crying about it. Be quiet, at once!” Then she licked him quite clean and put him fto bed.