WELCOME TO WENDY HUT

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1930, Page 24 (Supplement)

WELCOME TO WENDY HUT

THIS WEEK’S NEW MEMBERS. Nelson Jackson, Raima la. Reggie Batley, Awakino. Doris Stevenson, Puniho. Joan Bolger, Kaponga. Beryl Cornwall, New Plymouth. Gwen Huwiler, Te Kiri. Dudley Noble, Eltham. , Olive Karalus, Tariki. Jimmie. Cockcroft, Eltham. Joan Luker, Waikouaiti. Mabel Graham, Hawera.

LITTLE LAUGHS. (Sent by Martin Langdon.) Stout lady; “I would like to see an evening dress that would fit me.” Shop assistant: “So would I, madam.” Teacher; don't think it was you that went into the orchard, Tommy, so I shall not punish you.” Tommy; “Thank you, teacher, and may I keep the apples?” Freddy; Dad, what does' a kangaroo do with its pouch?” Dad (absorbed in a book): “When he gets pursued be gets inside it, my boy.” Teacher: “Bobby, give me a sentence with the word intense.” Bobby: “.[...went camping with the scouts and we slept intense (in tents).” Two new children arriving at school were called up to the teacher’s table. Teacher: “What is your name?” Boy; “Tom, sir.” Teacher: “Thomas, not Tom, my boy. “And yours” (to second boy who is called “Jack’ - ). Jack: “Jackass, sir.” Maid: “Professor, the next room is on lire!” Professor; “Why worry me? Am lin the next room?” Wife: “Why is it so dark in this street all at once?’-’ Small car driver; “It’s all right, we have driven under a large lorry.”

THE TALKING TREES. One fine morning Cyril lay in the hammock under the trees, and he. tried to decide what be would like best to do. So many pleasant things occurred to him. But before he had decided which of them he would like -best to. do, his mother camo out on the porch and said: “Cy, my boy, I must go into town, so will you please stay here and tell the men where to plant the new tree? It is to go where that stake is. Goodbye, dear. I’ll not be long.” Now, remaining at home and telling some workmen where to plant a tree was not one of the pleasant things Cy had in mind, but of course he said: ■“Very well, mother, but you won’t be very long, will you?” When his mother had gone, he said: “Oh, dear, having to stay here is about as bad as having my feet planted like a tree, It must be very stupid to be a tree, and have to stay in one spot always.” He went and stood by the stake, with his feet together, and with his arms spread out, and gently waving as ..if blown by the wind, pretending that he was a tree. “Oh, it would be terrible to he a tree!” he shouted, and then leaped and ran and turned handsprings and kicked his heels, because ho was so glad that he was a boy. “Well, well! Did you hear what that absurd boy said?” asked a voice that seemed to come from the -heart of a large cedar. “Did I hear? Didn’t he shout as if he were alone in the world, while we were standing right here?” asked an elm tree in reply. “Strange manners, I must say!” declared a handsome beech. “But what can you expect from such fidgety creatures? Humans don’t remain quiet long enough to have repose and'real manners. Besides, he may not, have realised that we could understand him. That is one strange thing about humans — they don’t seem to realise that the rest of us have any feelings or any sense.” Cy was so astonished that he sat flat on the ground, and stared up at the trees.

“’I beg your pardon—-I didn’t know that you could hear and talk,” he ga-sped. “Didn’t I tell you so? Humans think wo know nothing,” said the beech. “Now, fancy their having the cheek to

be sorry for us, and to think that we lead stupid lives, because we don’t dash about as they do!” The cedar tree looked up proudly- at the sky, and exclaimed: “The absurd little'fellow! How thankful we ought to be that we can stand here year in.and. ' year out, and be bathed by the rain and be fanned by the winds, and be fed by the air and the earth, instead of hustling about for food and clothing and shelter like humans!” ■ ! * “Yes, indeed! Wouldn’t we look silly hunting about for a tub large enough to batlie in!” elm._ “Wouldn’t it be terrible to have to eat corned beef and cabbage!” At this Gy rolled over on - the grass and laughed. ’ “But you always have to look at the same things,” 'lie said. “You can’t go to parties and see strange sights!” The beech replied: “The parties and. strange sights come to us. That is much better. Circus parades, garden parades, airplanes —all sorts of things pass' by. And all we have to do is to stand still and be trees.”

Cy pulled a funny face, and said; “But if everybody. followed your example and stood still, nothing, would pass by.” . “That’s so!” gasped one tree after another.

“Well, well!” remarked the cedar, “Perhaps the old earth needs all kinds of creatures —those that stand still and those that, move about. But I am glad. I am a tree!”

“And I am glad I am a boy?” shouted Cy, kicking his heels, to be sure they hadn’t taken root.

“'Well, nobody would take you for anything else! Boy, do you know where the lady l wants this tree planted?” asked a man. “Who .are you talking to, anyhow?” “Oh, I was just pretending,’ answered Cy, and showed the man the stake. ,