SHADOW SHAPES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17352, 17 May 1924, Page 18

SHADOW SHAPES.

Ever since nursery days, when wo recited ‘ ‘-Uy Snadow ” to an intensely bored or iamous»y interested uuuienco. snaciows nave been an engrossing anti sootiling study. nisetl, but biurrcd and uazy in outline. Hie ‘laid, ciear-cut line or tno real is lost. We clierisn a sneaking affection lor our siiadows. They are very line shadows, kind, indulgent companions, and we would like otbers to see uiem as we do —just as blurred, just as kind. In Snauowland, the fussy, inquisitive little woman is a warm-hearted soul, interested in others; her very inquisitiveness is but a desire to share and halve their troubles. The pompous and domineering man, detested by subordinates, becomes in the land of shadows a man of strong resolutions, swift of decision, firm of purpose. Tne shrew, the quarrelsome woman —their shadows are dancing shapes, vivacious and lively, real wits among shadows. House-proud and blind to the discomfort of her family, the “ slave of the casserole ” sees in her shadow shape a dignified, orderly, thoughtful “ loaf 0 Over the lazy and indolent stands, not the clothful shadow, but the shadow of calm and quiet : with the erratic and scatter-brained walks tlje shadow of genius. We love our shadows, deceitful though they be. They flatter us: they help us through the ordinary, humdrum round. They are dear e-hapes, these shadows of ours. The trouble is that they are invisible to all eyes but our own ! HILARY COMPTON*.