THE SMALLEST DRAGON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE SMALLEST DRAGON

HOFFER AND HIS FRIENDS IN A STORM

The sun was bright and the world was gay as Hoffer, the Smallest Dragon, the Cawface Bird and Runaway Rabbit walked along. Suddenly Rabbit gave a little jump sideways and twitched his ears. Hoffer broke into a happy little song, like this: “Tum-te-dee, doo-dee-doo, Tiddle-te-te and Atish oo!" and Cawface, seeing his two friends looking so cheerful, began to do a dance called the "Cawstep.” "Oh, dear,” said Rabbit, "Isn't he funny?" "Ha ha ha,” and he laughed so much that he was afraid that Cawface would notice. Not he! Very deliberately he stepped out his dance; such an elegant dance, he thought. Hoffer managed to disguise his laughs because of his sneezes. But Cawface danced serenely on. Presently they set off again. But this time they laughed and sang a song about the Foozle witch, like this: "The Foozle witch lives all alone, Except for small black cat, A reary cavern is her home Oh! What do you think of that? We three are searching for Woofum seeds, Which isn’t very pleasing. We’ve got to go 'cause Hoffer needs Them. He simply can’t stop sneezing. Chorus of A-tishoos from Hoffer. After they had walked a long way

without getting any further, so to speak, Rabbit thought that it might be a good idea to ask someone if they knew the way to the Edge of All Things. Just then a horse came along the road, nibbling the grass as he went, and feeling very pleased with himself. “Mr Horse,” said Rabbit, “Mr Horse, could you very kindly tell us the way to the Edge of All Things. "H’m—jump on my back, little friends, and we will follow this road, which surely leads somewhere.” So off they went. But before very long the sky grew dark and a cold wind blew. The leaves rustled in fear. “ ’Tls the Storm King and his court. Beware, beware!” "Hold tightly, little friends,” said the Horse, as. he galloped off to shelter. A great forest stretched its branches before them. A growl of thunder, a flash of lightning, and a scurry of rain made Horse rush among the dark trees. He stopped and Hoffer and Rabbit slipped to the ground. "000-ah,” said Cawface, "OoGO-ah!" as he very slowly slid off. “Poor old Cawface! Never mind, you are safe now!” laughed his friends. But were they? For Horse had rushed into the Murky Forest! 1 (To be Continued).