TINIES’ BEDTIME STORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1932, Page 16 (Supplement)

TINIES’ BEDTIME STORIES.

TWO WAYS OF SPENDING 2D.

Perrcy’g and Davids daddy had just given them their usual 'Saturday twopence each, and they were talking of what they were going to do with it. "I don’t know what to buy with mine,” said Peggy thoughtfully. “What are vou going to spend yours on, David?”

David looked very mysterious and said, “I’m not telling you. You go and buy what you please. I know what I’m having.” ‘•’Do tell me,” pleaded Peggy, wondering if she, too, might like to buy the same-when she heard what it was. But her brother simply would not tell her. As they were walking down the street Peggy espied a man walking slowly towards them, but shuffling along on the edge of the curb, guiding himself with a stick. “Oh, look, a blind beggar,” she said softly, feeling very sorry for the man. “1 say, let's give him our pocket money, shall we?” “I’m not giving him mine. I’m going to buy some -gr—” David halted suddenly; he wanted to keep what he wanted to buy a secret, because, being rather a greedy boy, he did not .wish to share his purchase with anyone else. “Give him yours, if you wish,” he added. . “Oh, come on, David, give him your twopence, too. Can’t you see the poor man looks cold and hungry. You can buy whatever it is next time you have twopence to spend.” “But they may not have any then,’ answered David, still with an air of secrecy. “I’m going to give him mine, anyway,” said Peggy firmly, and she slipped her two coins into the cap of the blind man as he slowly passed them. When he said “Thank you!” his voice sounded shaky and grateful. ... Peggy felt ever so pleased at having given her -pocket money away to someone who needed it. She had never done so small a deed before that had given her so much pleasure. “I’m going round to my chum’s house, now,” she told David. “You can go and spend your wretched twopence by yourself.” “All right,” chuckled Davin. So Peggy left him. . Later on, when Peggy went in to tea, she found David huddled up by the fire, looking very pale and sick. Mummy was forcing him to drink some nasty medicine, and telling him he would have to go to bed straight away. “Whatever is the matter with you?” asked Peggy. “He’s got the tummy-ache, answered mummy, as David only groaned miserably. “Why, has he been eating something he shouldn’t?” asked Peggy. “Yes,” was the reply. “He bought some green—very green—apples with his twopence, and the- greedy boy ate them all at once.” “So that’s what you wouldn’t tell me you were going to buy,” smiled Peggy. “Don’t you wish you had given your twopence to the blind man? I’m jolly glad I did.” David resolved never to be greedy again as long as he lived.

AT THE ZOO.

ONELY AYE-AYE.

Anoilu-. item of news from, the Rodent House, Regent’s Park, London, is that the loneliest animal in this house, and perhaps the loneliest, in the Zoo, has found a. friend.

This lonely animal is Tweedledee, the aye-aye. When his twin brother Tweedledum died the remaining aye-eye began to lead a hermit’s life. As these rare and strange animals from Madagascar are strictly nocturnal in their habits Tweedledee is never on view during the day, and nothing will induce him to leave his sleeping-box to make friends with visitors even for a few minutes. So, for a time, the aye-aye had no companionship of auy kind. Recently, however, two or three examples of the cavy (a rodent resembling a large guinea-pig) and several chipmunks or chipping j squirrels were .placed in his den.. At first Tweedledee took no notice of his housemates, but one day one of the chipmunks began to venture into the aye-aye’s sleeping-box; and evidently his visits were appreciated, for now the two are close friends.

The little squirrel is usually to be seen sitting in Tweedledee’s box. He even carries his food there; but as the chipmunk, has not managed to make the aye-aye emerge in daylight no one knows if they play together at night. LOOKING AFTER MOTHER. Poor Mother’s not been well to-day, She had an aching head, So I have done her work for her, While she stayed snug in bed. I’ve dusted all the furniture, The tables and the chairs, And then I took the little brush, And swept right down the stairs. I washed the spoons and forks and tilings, And only broke one plate; I made my bed and smoothed the quilt, And blacked the kitchen grate. (I blacked my face as well, but still, I’ll wash it off to-night, And Mother said it made her laugh, I looked a funny sight!) 1 gave the puppy and the cat Their dinners punctually, And then for Mother dear I made A cup of nice hot tea. And, oh! She’s so much better now, She says I’ve cured her, quite. I feel so very proud and glad To think that she’s all right!