For the Children

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 8

For the Children

MOTHER CAT'£ ADVICE TO HER KITTENS. Mother Cat sat by the kitchen stove, and spoke in cat language to her three kittens, whom she had just washed with her tongue. “You are still very young kittens, said Mother Cat, “but you have got your eyes open, and you are able to walk alter a fashion, so it is time you began to learn something. Are you paying attention?” “Yes'm,” said the kitten with a black nose, for Mother Cat had already taught them to be polite, and answer pleasantly when they were spoken to. “If you please,” said the kitten with the white nose. “•We are, dear Mother,” said the kitten with a white spot over its left eye. “We are all attention." "I -am glad to hear it,” said Mother Cat. “Kittens of your age who can already reply so nicely and intelligently when they are spoken to will grow up to be very proper and adinira^le “Yes'm,” said the three kittens together, “like you. Mother.” “You could hardly do better if I do say it myself,”- said Mother Cat modestly, “but that is because I was well taught by your dear grandmother.” “Hurrah for grandmother!" cried the three kittens together. “Your dear grandmother," said Mother Cat, “taught me a rhyme, which I am going to teach you. It is about the behaviour of kittens with children.” ‘‘Tell us, please,” said the kitten with the white spot over its left eye. “At once,” said the kitten with the white nose. ■‘We will learn it immediately,” said the kitten with the black nose. "It goes like this,” said Mother Cat. “When children with their kittens play They handle them most any way; Thev have no proper sense, you see. Of any kitten’s dignity. They hold a kitten upside down, Or dress it in a doll’s old gown, Or tie a bonnet on its head, Or put it in the dollie’s bed. No matter how ridiculous The things they do. you must not fuss Or lose your temper or •demur. But just keep up a pleasant purr. I'ur you must know, whale er they do, The children arc quite fond of you. So let them treat you as they win, But always be nice kittens suh. ' ; "Did Grandi-noil- ; make ii ail up herself? ” asked the kitten with the white nose. “No,” said Mother Cat. "She was taught it by her mother. I don’t know who made it up, but it has come down in the familv.” “It will take some time to learn,” said the kitten with the black nose. 1 "it took me a week when I was your

age,” said Mother Cat. ‘‘so I think yot ; had better begin learning it at once.' FLYING FEET. i “ I'm a bird.” said Elizabeth, as sh< i threw herself face down across th< hammock, with arms spread and fee stretched straight and stifT behind “ I'm a bird. My feet are my tail.” “Flicker, flicker, flicker!” called th< yellow-hammer, as he dashed from the tree under which she was swinging over to the big walnut half-way dowi the hill. “Flicker, flicker, flicker!' “ That sounds like 4 quicker, quickei quicker!” said Elizabeth to herself, a she jerked to and fro, occasionally dig ging into the lawn with one foot. “ ' don't wonder he says that. I'm no really going very fast. I think I’ll dc without a tail and put wings on m\ feet, like the statue of Mercury I saw in the high school the day I went with Anne, lie had wings on his shoes and on his cap and on a staff he carried in his hand. Anne said he was a messenger. and was always speeding off on I errands.” I “Elizabeth! Elizabeth!” called a voice from the house. “ I want you. dear.” “Here goes!” said Elizabeth, as she made a backward leap from the hammock. “ Now I’ll try my wings. Coming. mother!” she called, as she flew over the lawn. “ How quick you are, Betty ! ” said Mrs Lake, with a pleased smile, as Elizabeth came in. “ I’m sorry to call you from your play, but I have a busy day before me, and I do need an errand girl.” “ All right, mother,” said Elizabeth gaily. “Where to first?” “ Over to Mrs Ogden's with these eggs,” said mother, handing her a covered basket. “ She needs them at once.” Elizabeth took the basket and started for the door. “ And, Betty,” called mother. “ on your way home, just go down to the lower street and stop at Mrs Taylor’s for a pound of butter, please.” Elizabeth * started again, and had just reached the bottom step when mother came hurrying to the door. “ Here's the recipe I promised Mrs I Till. You might as well take it now. It won't be much out of your way. And, Betty, just go around to Bradford's and get a spool of sixty white sewing cotton. I must finish that dress to-day.” “ Well,” said Elizabeth, thoughtfully, as she hurried down the path, ; “ I neeed something more than flying I feet for these errands! Guess I'll put I on my winged cap. I'd love to stop 1 and get some chicken feathers from the yard, but mother’s in a hurry, and I'm living, so here goes! “Quicker, quicker, quicker!" called the vellow-hammcr from the walnut as she passed by. “ No use saying that now. Mr Bird, said Elizabeth, ar. she hurried'bn It can t be done with a basket of eggs. You haven’t gone very far yourself since I last saw you.” “ You have been quick, darling,” said mother, as she took the butter. “Now come to dinner. There!” she said, as they sat down. I've forgotten the milk, after all. ’