Children’s Story.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 11 (Supplement)

Children’s Story.

It waw Christmas Eve; sitting on the end of a twig glistening with frost was Fairy Snowflake; very beautiful she was, in her dress made of frozen dewdrops and her fluffy black hair with the Imperial diamond glistening on her forehead. She was the Fairy Queen’s youngest daughter. Around her danced her attendants and one grumpy old Brownie.

“I wonder what mortals are like?” she said, resting her hands on her knees and gazing at the moon. "Why! have you never seen one?” said Jack Frost, who was passing at the time. "Never I” said Snowflake. “What are they like?” The fairies all stopped dancing and there was silence. "Large and heavy,” said the grumpy old Brownie. “Ugh ! how horrid 1” said Snowflake. “I’ve seen one.” said a little fairy, stepping forward, "and when it laughed the trees all shook." “I’ve seen one. too," said another fairy, “and when it cried it sounded like a bull bellowing.” “And when they run you have to get out of the way very quickly or they crush you,” chorused the crowd. "They're awful! I” said Grumpy. “I never want to see one again. The last time I saw one it was sticking great fat worms on a hook.”

“All this sounds most thrilling,” said Fairy Snowflake. "How can I see one?" "Wait until Father Christmas comes along to-night and jump on to his sack: you may get a chance of seeing one then,” said Jack Frost, “because this is Christmas Eve, and he takes toys to all the good children in this town, who bang up their stockings on the end of their beds." “How very exciting!*' said Snowflake. “How long will he be?” Ah! there he is! as a sound of sleigh bells broke the still air, and in the moonlight appeared Father Christmas going nearly as- fast as a motor train. "Jump on quickly." said Grumpy. “I am coming, too,” and, taking her hand, with a spring they were both on his coat-sleeve. “Don’t be long! Come back!” shouted the other fairies. It was terribly windy, and poor Snowflake would have been blown away if Grumpy had not pulled her back to a nice comfy little crevice behind the sack full of toys, where they could peep out and sec the town with all its chimney pots. "This is a very silly and risky voyage of yours," said Grumpy. “You know the Fairy Queen said that none of you were to go irito a mortal's house or you might melt.”

"I’ll risk that,” said Snowflake. ‘l’d have melted long ago if that had Seen ho, I'm so hot and excited now." ‘‘.Well, take care," said Grumpy,

At that moment the moon disappeared and they seemed to be sinking down a deep pit. "Chimney!” said Grumpy. “I’m frightened!” said Snowflake. "Hold my hand and keep calm,” said Grumpy. “I’m very frightened,” said Snowflake. “I told you not to come,” said Grumpy. “I’m terrified!” said Snowflake. “I’m trembling all over, and”—she clung to Grump—-“I don’t like that stuffed cat that is looking at me over the top of this sack.” “Too late to go back,” said Grumpy. “1 see a light. Oh! Oh! What is it!” With a bump they found themselves standing on the. hearthrug in a room with lovely curtains, and a soft light beside a little bed. "Too early!” said Father Christmas glancing at the bed, then he sprang through the open window. "Is this where mortals live?” whispered Snowflake in an awed voice. “How large everything is.” "Yes,” said Grumpy, “and there is

one," he said, pointing to the little dark head on the bed. “At last !” sighed Snowflake, who, after springing on to the bed, was standing on the coverlet gazing at the round black knob buried in the pillow. She crept on tip-toe nearer. “H’s not pretty,” she said, “it’s got horrid eyes and very hard cheek-, end a

painted head.” She touched it with her finger and then sprang back. "It’s not real!” she shouted. “Grumpy! it’s not real!” and looking round she saw the room was empty. Grumpy had gone! She flung herself on to the pillow and wept. “I can’t believe that is a mortal.” she sobbed; “Take me back. Grumpy! Take me back! It's horrid! it’s horrid !" 'file door of the room slowly open-

ed. "Grumpy!” wailed Snowflake, and she stopped, for peeping round the door was the loveliest little girl she had ever seen. Snowflake was enchanted I “Susan! my little old Susan I are you awake?” said the little girl, coming towards the bed. “Arc you awake, darling?” and she lifted the ugly creature out of bed and hugged it. “Come and see my lovely Christinas Tree; it’s finished all but the Fairy on the top.” Away went Snowflake with a bound, and quick as a flash sat on the top pinnacle. “The Fairy's come, Susan! Look at it! Isn't it a lovely thing? Nanny must have put it there whilst I was upstairs.” But what,a time the Fairy Snowflake had! The next day was a party. Scores of mortals came and they all danced round and said “how beautiful she was I” and when the Christmas was over and the Tree dismantled there stood Grumpy with his hands out ready to escort her back to Fairyland. “I didn’t melt, Grumpy dear, but I nearly died of joy,” said she on the way back, “and next year I shall go again. I like mortals.” “Umph I” said Grumpy. And that is why there is always a Snowflake Fairy on- the top of every Christmas Tree— and a right mern GlirteLmas to ygu