For the Children

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16911, 9 December 1922, Page 5

For the Children

PUTTER WICK THE WISE RABBIT. One tine day Richard Rugg tool-: down the old, old blunderbuss time had belonged to his great-great-grand-father, and went out to shoot the fierce wild rabbits. The blunderbuss wasn’t loaded, but the rabbits didn't know that till Putterwick told them Futterwick was the Wise Rabbit tin knew things. And when he wante t to he specially wise he wore a very high hat. When the rabbits saw Richard conic stalking along they fled in terror ’o their holes. As the day was very hot Richarc fell asleep against- the park palingsand his dog Prinky dozed, too, on Richard’s leg. Then Putter wick came creeping through the grass. He crept rignt up to the blunderbuss and sniffed down its mouth. And he knew from ; smell that it wasn’t loaded. I hen he just sat down and watched. Presently Richard woke up- Tv hen lie saw Putterwick in front of him he made a grab for the blunderbuss Prinky growled and stood up bristling. “It isn’t loaded.’’ the Wise Rabbit eaid with a smile.

“How do you know?” Richard asived in astonishment. “Because the last time it was ever leaded was when your great-great-grandfather tided to shoot me and miserably failed.” “ Where did you go after you were shot?” asked Richard. “ I'll show you.” Putterwick answered. He led the way across the field and disappeared down a largo hoH ; Richard went after him. squirming on all-fours. All of a sudden Putterwick disappeared, and Richard awoke with a start to find himself against the park palings, with Prinky still dozing on his leg. BELINDA’S BLOTS. Belinda’s writing lesson is a time cf tribulation, She is blotty, very blottt, and she causes irritation To her teacher by the wav in whicH she inks her clumsy fingers. Oh, her copy-book’s a “shocker,” anf a bad impression lingers In the minds of those who see it, fir it’s smudged from top to bottom. And its pages are disgraceful, ’cos she makes all sorts and sizes. So its’ certain that for writing he’s. no chance of winning prizes. If allowed to use a pencil, she might do a. little better, But with ink she simply ruins an. copy that is set her! AN EXCITING PICNIC. Airs Jumbo and Mr and Airs Alouse were neighbours, and so one summer they arranged to go away all together to the seaside for a holiday. Thev were a very merry party. There we»e Air and Airs Alouse, with Tommy and his brother and sister, Airs Jumbo, At” Fox and Air Piggy, who drove tb? carriage that took them to the picnic I’m going to tell you about. They all started off inf the early morning with the sun shining, the sky and sea all blue and the sands a lovely golden brown. It was Tommy Alouse 4 birthday, so they made up their minds to enjoy themselves ever such a lot-. They took a basket of food with them, filled with lovely things—jamtarts, apples and oraniges. plum-cake,

sandwiches and bananas. besides lemonade and a pot of jam. After picking up shells and paddling and playing a.li sorts of games, including hide-and-seek, they felt. rather tired, and thought they would have their luncheon : so they found a nice cool spot by the edge of the sea where the little waves came tumbling »r> nearly to their feet, and they we;e going to settle down when they missed Tommy Alouse. There was a nice thing! And after they had told him to be sure not to wander away by himself ! It really was naughty ! Air Alouse asked everyone he met { whether they bad seen Tommy, and of course everybody had seen him—and .all going in different directions! said Air Mouse, “ then the CTtly thing to do is for us all to go everywhere—we’re sure to find him then.” So they all set off. feeling too sari to be very cross, because Tommy really was n nice little fellow, arid everyone loved him. The crabs and shrimps and lobsters were all very polite, and tried their best to be of use by looking in the pools, and seeing if they could catch anything that felt like a Tommy. They shouted and shouted, and looked in the caves and under all the bathing tents, and couldn’t find him anywhere. Air Alouse stood on a rock and looked through a telescope to see if he could sec him, while poop Airs Alouse cried and cried because she thought she would never see her Tommy again. Piggy poked and fished about in the paddling pool to see it Toinmv ha 1 fallen in, but as he wasn’t there they all took heart again and knew lie couldn’t be drowned. They called and sboutecl louder than ever. and presentlv saw Master Thomas sitting on a little hill, all by himself, eating up the bananas as fast as he possibly could. As it was hi? birthday, and they were all so glad to find him. they j weren’t one bit. cross, but sat down j laughing together and bad such .■ merry picnic. Then, after a little nap. they played a few more games and Air Piggy drove them home again very tired, but very happy : and all looking forward to another treat the next day. AIT MUSIC LESSON FRIENDS: I 1 wonder if you practise scales, And play the tunes I do? The Quavers all have little tails. I The Semi-quavers two. I call the Crotchets “ nigger boys,” Because they are black as ink : j And, as they make a dreadful noise, j The name is right, I think ! The Alinims all are plump and big; They can't run fast, 1 know. They hate a polka or a jig. So must have something slow. The Semi-breves are worse than that, They’re lazy as can be : They scarcely move, they are so fat, And wait so stupidly. Thats’ why I like the Quavers best. They run about all day. Or, if they sometimes have a “rest.'' They always like to play ! And all my little friends with* tails I’ll introduce to you. So then you. too. can practise scale?; And play the tunes I do.