HEATHER HOUSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 986, 31 May 1930, Page 33

HEATHER HOUSE

• * Kind Squirrel and a Selfish Gnome

Flip Flap, the squirrel, lived will* his mother on the very top of a high tree. They had a snug little home there, and Flip Flap’s mother had named it “Heather House” because she loved heather and loved her little home. From their lofty perch Flip Flap and nis mother could see the country for miles around, and they thought there was no other land on the earth save that which they could see. Flip Flap had a favourite branch, and when he was feeling lonely (for he was a very lonely little squirrel, the nearest squirrel of his age living seventy oak trees away) he would sit on this branch and gaze at his surroundings. Ono day when Flip Flap was sitting on his branch he saw a beautiful golden carriage, led by two grasshoppers, coming toward him. lie gazed and gazed, the carriage was coming nearer, and then it stopped right bv the tree Flip Flap lived in. A little gnome, dressed in bright scarlet, descended from the carriage and commenced to climb the ladder which led to Flip Flap’s home. Gradually he reached the top. and then Flip Flap saw he was King Gnome, and he wondered whatever he wanted. By this time Flip Flap’s mother had seen King Gnome and she went to the door, curtsied very daintily, and asked him inside. Flip Flap then went inside and he. too, bowed very low and kissed King Gnome’s hand. “I have come here,” said King Gnome, “to ask you if you would take care of my son. Xippo, while I am on a holiday. I cannot take him with me, because at the place where I am to stay no children are allowed. I shall be away a week, so. if you could mind him for that period, I should be very thankful. I heard you were a kind motherly squirrel, and that is why I chose you.” “Why, certainly, your Highness.” replied Flip Flap’s mother. “It is an honour to mind your son. When will he arrive?” “He will arrive tomorrow* at ten.” replied King Gnome. The next day Flip Flap awaited his new* playmate. He was very excited and he nearly fell from his branch when he saw the golden carriage drawing nearer. When Nippo arrived. Flip Flap and his mother went to greet him. blit Xippo w’ould not shake Klip Flap’s mother’s paw, and be pouted terribly. Flip Flap’s mother thought he must be disappointed at not being able to go with his father, so she led him inside and prepared a meal for him. Mrs. Squirrel soon found out that Xippo was very sulky and hard to please. He didn’t like nuts, so Flip Flap very kindly walked four clover fields away to gather him some honey. Ho was not satisfied with liis bedroom, although it had pretty pink wallpaper and a little pink carpet and bedspread. He wanted Flip Flap’s, so the little squirrel gave it to him. Xippo never wiped his green shoes before he entered the house, and Flip Flap’s mother was sweeping and cleaning after him all the time. He

Mrs. Squirrel always had a line lul of clothes belonging to him. The biggest blow come to Flip Flap wher Xippo took his favourite branch anti wouldn’t even let him go near it. Poor Flip Flap had to look for anothei branch, but when he found one it was not half so good as the last, but he contented himself by saying that Xipp would be gone in three more days, and he would then have this branch back <i gai n. Xippo became more selfish evert day. while Flip Flap and his mothe became more impatient and even wished he was gone; but they had t keep their promise to King Gnome and keep him safely till he returned. The night before Xippo was to g<• home he decided to sit on Flip Flap‘ c branch before he went to bed. Just as he had settled himself comfortablv he heard a small voice say. “Come. Xippo. I ain about to take you to tbSeltish Isle, where you will be treateo as you treat Flip Flap.” Xippo struggled anti cried out it vain, and ho felt himself falling dowi down, down. At last his feet touched solid ground, and he was on the SelfisIsle. Many queer folk were standing neat him, and they were all pouting and pointing at him. One said. “Give m** your shoes,” and although Xippo did not want to. something inside him made him hand them to the person v. ho had asked for them. He had to walk on a very stony road, and bis feet were very sore and. to make it worse, some of the people were jeer ing and throwing stones at him. AM of them asked for something. anti Xippo had to give it to them, till a' last ho had only his little green trousers and white jerkin on. The queer people led him into a house, set ;» beautiful meal before him. and then took it away before he could eat an> thing. Then they led him into :« beautiful room and put him to bed. and just as he was about to close hi eyes he was pulled out and made t sieep on the floor. Bv this time Xippo was in tears “Oh. please. let me go home.” In begged, •‘and I will never be selfish again.” “I hope you have learned your les son.” said" the tallest and ugliest ol the people. “Xow go home and. if you are selfish again, you will come back here and stay forever.” The next thing Xippo knew was h« was sitting on Flip Flap’s branch. 1U rushed inside and asked Flip Flap and his mother to forgive him for being s«» selfish, and this they did readily Xippo gave Flip Flap back his bed and branch: he ate nuts, and found that after all he did like them. He tried to keep himself clean, and In* always wiped his little' green shoebefore he entered the house. When King Gnome came for his son he hardly knew him, for Xippo was smiling—a thing he had not done sinelie was a baby. He thanked Flip Flap’s mother for taking care of his son. and said he hoped he was n*» trouble, and. of course. Flip Flap’s mother said he was usually very good. There is now no better gnome in cmome-land than Xippo—now King Xippo. He is good and kind to his subjects, and he is never selfish. Of course his best friend is Flip Flap who is now a big squirrel, and Nipjv* often visits Heather House and Flip Flap. Xippo’s palace. —Xola Craig, aged 3 4