Peter Pan's Corner

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 2

Peter Pan's Corner

Dearest Little People, Outside my window a big wistaria is growing. The pretty bluish flowers have all died away, but now the branches are covered with cool green foliage. A few weeks ago, a pair of goldfinches began to build a nest there. In about four days it was finished, and so cunningly hidden amongst the leaves that it was hard to discern. By standing cm tiptoe on the window seat I could peer through the window and see the inside of the nest softly lined with hair and feathers. Soon there were five pale blue eggs and the mother bird began to sit on them. Her tail stuck out over one side of the nest, and I could see too, the vivid scarlet ring above her beak. She sat there quietly, even when I cleaned the windows, and soon learnt to eat the crumbs I left for her on the win-dow-sill. One day, a swarm of bees settled on the wistaria, and I feared for the safety of my little friend. I watched with anxiety as they explored the wall trying to find a suitable place to make a home. Apparently they were not satisfied, for to my relief, some half hour later, they were on the wing again. There are four little birds in the nest now, and the parents are busy all day finding enough for them to eat. I have a fellow feeling for those parent birds, for I remember how long it took me to dig sufficient worms to feed Paul, the baby magpie. The young birds have their feathers now, and I think next week I will be able to watch the parents teaching them how to fly. And now Little People, I want to send a great big thank you for all your lovely scrapbooks. Do you know they were so beautiful that the judge remarked, “Surely the children want these books back again!" You don’t know how proud I felt as I replied, “Oh no! They are to bring sunshine to the sick-a-beds.” Happy Holidays, my Circlians, and lots of love to everyone, From Your Own, PETER PAN.

ANCIENT CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS Christmas customs are fading—Santa Claus, carol singers and waits continue to struggle for existence—but they are only a few of the many Christmas customs that once existed in this and other countries. iu ll } Swed€n - especially in the north of i r bat country, people still attend church on Christmas Day at six o’clock in the morning. As the sun has not risen at that hour carries a large lighted torch, and these torches are thrown down i n a heap at the door of the church, where they form a huge bonfire. The houses, too, are all illuminated with candles. In parts of the South-East of Europe at one time, just before Christmas, one would have seen before every house a I , og ’ s ' one for each member of the family, and at sunset on Christmas Eve these Yuletide logs were taken inside with great ceremony and cast upon the fire. In Virginia, in the United States there was once a train that ran in Christmas Eve, stopping at everv drpot and station to distribute monejq clothing, and other gifts to the people employed by the railway company. Needless to say, the coming of the “Santa Claus Special” was eagerlv looked for, and the train was afforded right of way over everything on the line. On olden days in Newfoundland the Christmas season was given over to sports, and one feature of these was the appearance of the “mummers” or “fools" —young people disguised in fantastic garb who plaved all sorts of pranks in the fishing villages. But the ’'mumming," unfortunately was not always done kind-heartediy and the practice had to be forbidden bv law. Shaggy-coated ponies are peculiar in Newfoundland, and though undersized and apparently unequal to heavy burdens, they are stronger and hardier than an ordinary horse, and will toll through snow-drifts which would mean death or disablement to a less endurin° animal. The vehicles these ponies pull are curious. They are rough sleds called and consist of two "runners" made from curved trunks of trees, supporting two cross-pieces fore and aft on which a board is stretched for a seat. Sticks, called “horns,” project from holes in the cross-pieces, and between these the load is piled when firewood or other material, has to be hauled. Shafts, made of young trees, connect the sled with the {tony. The driver and other occupants sit sidewise, so that they can jump off quickly when a snow-bank is struck. In country parts of Germany boys and girls looked out for the coming bf ■Plez Nickel.” Plez Nickel was armed with a stick with which he whipped bad children, and presents for good boys and girls. In the Harz Mountains the people : still sometimes observe a custom known as “seeking the Snow-King.” When a heavy snowstorm happens to be followed by a fine, clear morning, the peasants, young and old, start for the silent forests of fir and nine to seek for the Snow-King. The Snow-King they seek is merely a representation of a human face and figure formed by festoons of snow hanging srom the branches. (5 Marks to Margaret McCunn, •aged 16) Joan Threadwell: I have posted a merit card for your lullaby poem. Joan, and am sorry the other one did net arrive. Your “Goodnight” has earned a merit card too. Happy holidays dear. Olive Bee: A big welcome to our circle, Olive. What a grand little cook you must be. I wonder what you learn to cook at the cooking class! Margaret McCunn: Congratulations on winning the Christmas drawing, Margaret* and also on gaining your E.M.C. Your contributions are splendid dear, especially your plum pudding I drawing. I am sorry it cannot be printed as our photographer is in camp. Pat Westoby: What an interesting letter. Pat. Are those young goldfinches still about the place, and how are the chicks progressing? Ivor Wood: That calendar is a beauty Ivor, and is hanging above my desk. Thank you so much for it. Happy holidays. Brigit Unwin: Your merry drawing has earned a merit card, Brigit. Thank you for sending it dear. Eunice Rapsey: What a lot of cats and kittens you have, Eunice. You must have had a good day birdnesting. There are lots of goldfinches about here too. Daphne Hopkinson: Congratulations on winning your E.M.C. Daphne, and many thanks for your good wishes. I have posted a letter to you, dear. Raelene Cross: Thank you for the pretty Christmas card, Raelene, with its good wishes. Happy holidays dear. Julienne Skudder: What an interesting letter little Julienne. Those chicks must be very amusing. You must let me know how your garden gets on, when it is judged. Betty McLennan: It was grand to get a letter from you my little Scotch clrclian. We think of you so often and hope things are well with you. Well done, my little shoe-maker! June Peter: I was so pleased to see your writing again June. That cat must be a good rabbiter. I expect Toby is looking pretty with his new coat. Doris Clark: You certainly did have a good time at the flower show with your ice creams, soft drinks, and jellies Doris. Congratulations on winning that drawing prize. Isobel Archibald: Thank you lor the z riddle about the water-lily Isobel. You will have seen it in print. That was a good joke about the hen house! Graeme Foster: Thank you for your list Graeme. I wonder if you know what all those animals eat? Bill Raddon: I am glad you have recovered from measles Bill. How are those 43 chicks getting on? Mum must be a great favourite wth those calves. Daphne Agnew: How did you get on at the sports Daphne? I expect your garden was more pleased with the rain than you were. George Agnew: I was glad to hear from you again George. You must let me know how your gardens get on in the agriculture club. Isabel Butler: That must have been a lovely day you spent up Mt. Horrible Isabel. The countryside looks like a patch work quilt when you see it from a mountain top—doesn’t it! Doris Butler: What a picnic you had with that horse Doris. You have my sympathy. I know just exactly what it means to try and catch a horse that won’t be caught! Elizabeth Brown: Your joke did make me laugh Elizabeth. I am glad you enjoy our comer dear. Elvra Caird: How kind of yon Elvra. to send those competitions. They are splendid and I will use them in the near future. I hope you have recovered from measles. Jocelyn Caird: A big welcome to you Jocelyn dear. You may write in pencil, but the printer will be glad when you can manage ink as it is so much easier to read. I have put in a notice about a pen friend for you. What is the date of your birthday? Enid Evans: A very pretty poem Enid which well deserves its merit card. Nola Fitzsimmons: I was so interested to hear about your pets Nola. What a good thing you noticed how Billy Boy was treating Danny Boy. Bryan Casey: Thank you for your interesting news about the whale-bones Bryan, i have oiten wondered aiioiii them. How many chickens has that hen hatched. Max Robson: Such a neat letter Max. It is exciting, isn’t it when aeroplanes fly so close. I hope your finger is better. Peggy Ewing: You made me feel i quite shivery Peggy when you said you’d already had three swims: Your | joke is a good one. So is Moira s.