THE MAGIC GATEWAYS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MAGIC GATEWAYS

By

RUTH HERTSLET

CHAPTER I ROBIN HEALTH On the slopes of the mountain where the breezes blew and the pine trees sang, lived Robin Health, that favourite son of Dame Nature. With him dwelt my Lady Joy, and together they kept watch over the Land of Happiness, guiding the Happy Folk with loving care and wisdom. No stately palace was theirs, but a cottage, neat and clean. Sunshine streamed through the open windows and shone on the polished floors; roses and honeysuckle filled the room with their mingled fragrance; pine trees swayed in the freshening breeze and birds sang happily from the leafy coolness of the branches. Down the mountain side came another voice, clear and sweet and beautiful. My Lady Joy smiled, for she know that Robin was singing his morning song of praise and thanks to Dame Nature, his Mother. “Kiss of the golden sunshine, Breath of the morning air, Cool of the sparkling waters, Fruits of the Earth so fair. Body and brain they are building, Hearts that are gay and free, For the untold wealth of our glowing health,

Mother —our thanks to thee.” Down the mountain side came Robin, bounding with the grace of a wild deer, and singing joyously as his limbs moved in perfect

rhythm. At a small rustic gate he paused, smiling happily as he gazed down at the cottage nestling among the pine trees. A splendid picture he made as he stood there, straight and strong and smiling. The sun shone on his glowing skin; his teeth gleamed with dazzling whiteness; his muscles rippled like those of a racehorse, and his brown eyes were swift and all-seeing as a sparrow hawk’s.

Humming softly as he opened the gate, Robin walked into a neat garden and, stopping in front of a large tree, he asked, “Alexander Apple tree, what have you to say? Have you helped my people, the Happy Ones, to-day?” “Master, Master, ’tis good work I

have done. I have cleaned their gateways and polished every one,” answered Alexander proudly. “And Miss Priscilla Pea Pod, with coat so neat and green, Tell me Miss Priscilla at what work

you have been.” “Master, Master, with peas so large

and sweet, I have filled my pea-pods for the Happy Ones to eat,” said Miss Priscilla, demurely. “And you, old Charley Cabbage, and

Charlotte Cauliflower?” “We have fed the Happy Ones, within the last half hour.”

“And Sweet Susannah Spinach, what have you done, my dear?”

“I’ve hardened all their gateways, i and kept their blood streams I clear.”

“And Mr Osborne Onion, with your very noted smell?” “Oh, I have fed your Happy Ones, and fed them very well,”

“And Carolina Carrot, and Patrick Parsnips long?” “Master we have fed your folk, and kept them well and strong.” “Plum tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, tell me what you’ve found.” “We’ve cleaned the Magic Gateways and kept them strong and sound.”

“Thank you all my vegetables and all my fruit trees, too. The happiness of Happy Folk is due so much to you. Happy Ones, Happy Ones, happy you should be, With the good and wholesome gifts Dame Nature’s given thee.” So saying he opened a second .gate, and entered another garden. Here stood a tiny cottage, full of tiny quaint folk who came running gladly to greet him. “Tell me, Edgar Exercise, what is youi- report?” “The Happy People run and jump, as you yourself have taught.” “And Clementina Cleanliness, tell me what you’ve seen.” “The Happy People keep themselves so very neat and clean.” “Rebecca Rest,. what’s your report, and Dr Samuel Sleep?”

“We saw that all the Happy Ones Dame Nature’s laws do keep.” “Thank ycu, Little People, for all you’ve had to tell; Now in the Land of Happiness I know that all is well. My Happy Ones have happy homes, so strong each shining gate The Germ Gang may not enter there,- although they watch and wait. Dame Nature’s given Happy Folk a wiser gift than wealth, Twin rows of white and shining 1 teeth, the Gateways of their health.”

Then, bidding them adieu, Robin walked swiftly down the mountain side, smiling gaily as he went. All was well with the Land of Happiness. The Happy People were obeying Dame Nature’s laws —sleep and rest, exercise and cleanliness. They were using Dame Nature’s priceless gifts—fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, sunshine and fresh air. Their limbs were strong and healthy, their brains were keen and alert, their eyes were bright and clear. Their teeth too, those magic gateways of their health, were strong and dazzling in their whiteness.

Again Robin smiled happily. No foe could enter those Happy Homes, and Bertie and his Germ Gang, however strong • and vigilant they might be, could never break down those strong white magic gateways. (To be continued.)