For the Children

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17034, 7 May 1923, Page 11

For the Children

GRANNIE’S BASKET. Grannie Dickson had been shopping all the morning in the town, And her basket was as full as full could he ; She met us going up the hills as she was coming down. And this is what she said to Pete and me. " carry home ni\- basket without crushing up the things. And look beneath rty scraper for the key. Then go inside and blow the fire until the kettle sings. And I’ll he there in time to make flic tea.” Then we cried. ‘‘Hooray for Grannie.” and I took the basket quick (For Peter’s such a mite compared to me). But ginger bread and candy and tarts and sugar stick Are things that don’t weigh heavy ---not to me. MOREY’S MISTAKE. It was only partly Molly’s fault. Jt all came about through the people next door to the Browns giving a partv on the same night. Molly had an invitation from Kitty Brown to a Christmas party, and, of course, she accepted. She got a nice new frock, for it. and her sister Grace lent her a fan ; so Molly was sure of enjoying herself. Now Molly was so proud of her new frock and her lovely fan that she could think of nothing else. So when sh e came to the house next to Kitty’s, and saw other children going into it in partv dresses, she went with them. But when s he got into the drawing room she could not see Kitty anywhere, though everyone was very nice- to her and saw that she joined in the games. Mollv asked for Kitty at last, and then she lound that she had gone to the wrong house-! Kitty’s party was next door. I hoy all had a good laugh over it bebore Molly went to the Browns, and she had a really nice evening there after all. She thought it was a good adventure, but she has made up her mind always to look where she in going THE GOOSE. THE PUDDING, AND THE SETTING SUN. The Christmas, Goose and the Puddinosat, "" Playing the .See-«aw game: rile fi°os e 11-as rather proud and fat, I he Pudding was much the same. I he Pudding was full of currants and plums; He wore a sprig of holly; He said, “ 1 o-morrow Christmas comes, feo let’s keep warm and jollv.” the Sun was getting uncommonly red, through trying to melt the ice: ‘ £ Keep on until you are hot.” bo said, “ And then you M-ill both he nice.” PERCIVA L’S DREAM. Percival Peep Awakened from sleep. And s_“ Mother, oh. Mother!” he cried, ‘ I tn certain—and mofe — Santa Claus at th e door Is knocking! Do let him inside!” And Mother, all fright, (t Came in with a light. “ "'hat can he the matter!” she said. Then laughed: “ It is clear You’ve been dreaming, my dear,” And put him right back into bed. BETTY’S HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Betty rubbed her eyes hard to make sure she was not dreaming—sli e coulc; hardly believe it was really Christmas morning—and snowing fast, too ! Sho looked all round, and there, at the foot ot her bed, was the biggest stocking ever seen, and crammed full of dolls and other toys. ‘‘Oh, how lovely!” exclaimed Betty as she pulled them out, “Santa Claus has been so good !* 1 Then she thought a minute ‘•Mammy! Mammy!” slie called, •‘May 1 K1 ye some of these to the poor children in the hospital?” ‘‘Very well, dearie,” replied her mother. So after breakfast their motor came and whizzed them to th e hospital, where Betty and her mother got out laden with toys, and hurried up the steps and into the hospital. Then Betty went round and gave each sick child a toy. How delighted they were, and how

happy Betty was in doing kind deeds IDLE BOYS. As Bob and Sandy idly strolled somewhere about Maytair, they saw a notice on a wall which Bob spelled out with care. It talked about an elephant that walked upon a rope, a Kangaroo that sang a song, a six-legged antelope. It mentioned, too, a learned pig that spelled words in a trice, and a Polar bear that elegantly skated on the ice. For sixpence only anyone who chose could see the show. Said Bob and Sandv in a breath. “ 1 just Mould Ike to go!” Just then a gentleman came by .‘n fashionable clothes; with top-hat, spats and walking-stock, and glasses on his *• Oh, sir, do give us sixpence each, 5 ’ said Sandy with a whine: ‘‘we want to go to this 'ere show, me and this pal of mine.” Said he, “ You're idle little boys who don’t deserve a treat : you waste your time, and then you beg of passers in the street. T’d give a sixpence williugly to a deserving lad, but I’m not going to encourage habits that are onlv bad.” A FAIRY REVEL. I had only been in bed a little minute, And the sleep had hardly settled on "lien I Heard a sound of singing and of fairy bells a-rmging, And I started up in very great surprise. So Mould you—if you’d been there yourselves— For the room was simply full of imps and elves. 1 hey came sliding down the moonbeams on their sledges In a way that made me dizzy just to And they never seemed to trouble when the sledges bent up double And thretv them topsy-turvy straight at me. Oil! it really was the maddest, merriest sight, And I hope they’ll come again another night. FOUR TIMES SEVEN. “There’s a big penn'orth for you. Mind you share it out fairly,” said Mrs Broun at the shop. Yes'm.” said Freddie, and ran home as quickly as he could. I here were four to divide the sweets, Freddie and Katie, Dick and May! When Freddie had given them each a pink one, a striped one, a round one, a little “ kinkly ” one, and two u'hite ones, there Mere only three left. Back to the shop he went. ‘‘Please, there wasn’t enough to go round. ” Four. And there were only tu-enty-seven sweeties; I counted them.” I see, said Mrs Brown. “And lour sevens are ” 4 wenty-eight ! ’ said Freddie. “How iunny! I never could 'member four sevens before in all my life.” “Then I'll give you one more SMoetie. said Mrs Brown, “and per-r---.ps you’ll never forget again.” NAUGHTY JOE. “ Xo " ’ Joe,” saicl his mother, “ father was up all last night, and is \ery tired, so you sit down and do a our lessons and keep an eye on baby ; Mhile 1 run to the shop.” doe looked black, for Will Hedges had promised to lend him his new football. But it uas no use grumbling, so he got his books and sat down by the fire. Baby uas fast asleep, and it Mas so quiet that father began to nod. Joe sat very still, and soon father was as fast asleep as baby. 1 m not going to waste any more time over the rotten books.” cried Joe, springing to his feet. And in another moment he had opened the door and was hurrying to the village green as fast as he could go. But after all he did not enjoy playing football, and when he came home mother told him he Mas not to be trusted, and gave him only dry bread for supper.