LITTLE LADY OF CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

LITTLE LADY OF CHINA.

The courtyard stretched like a Chinese painting before the glowing curtain, of the setting sun. There was everything to delight a child; tiny fishponds in which glinted vari-coloured fish; toy bridges thrown across tiny streams; fairy islands on which were small carved and gilded tea houses, quaint little men and women; strange tiny animals and gardens with miniature trees and flowers. But little Su-su, to whom it all belonged, turned her back upon, it and fixed her eyes upon the great carved and painted gateway. “If,” she said to herself, “if father does not return from his travels in time, the* day will be spoilt, for today is the Dragon Boat Festival.” . Just at that moment there was a chiming of. many silver-toned gongs, and there, entering the gateway, was her father, with all his servants, his hat man, his pipe man, his dresser, his cook and all the others who travelled with him. Su-su, gay as a strayed butterfly in her silk embroidered kimono, ran to meet him, “Su-su, small lotus flower, am I in time ?” he asked. “My father, yes, and see, here is my little boat and the lantern already lighted.” She held out a small dragonshaped boat-upon which hung a gaily - coloured lantern. “And wilt thou tell me the story of the Dragon Boat Festival as we walk down to the river?” “Long ago, little Moon-flower, there was a poet. One day he fell into the river, arid a jealous Water God rose from the depth of the river and carried him away. But on Dragon Boat Festival all the children of China come drifting 'like flower petals through the gilded sun-setting and set adrift little boats, each with a lighted lantern. They all hope that the poet’s soul will see a little lantern and find his way back and ese-ne from the River God for ever. Nt v, launch thy boat, beloved small one.” ■ Su-su went down to the brink of the river, where all the children were gathered, and set her little boat afloat.. Soon the river was like a stream of bobbing, gay, bright flowers, all. alight. She watched the pretty-scene a while and then, hand in hand with her father, started back to the beloved courtyard that waited for them, fragrant, with flowers, and sweet with bird-cries,, in the dusk. THE SIGN OF SEX. Bachelor Uncle: “Baby six weeks old, you say. Talk yet?” ■ ■ Proud Father: “Oh. no, not yet. Bachelor Uncle: “Boy, eh?” A Scot, who had worn the same hat for 15 years, decided with heavy heart to buy , a new one. . . Going into the only hat shop in his neighbourhood, he said: “Well, here 1 am again.”