For the CHILDREN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17862, 2 June 1926, Page 12

For the CHILDREN

TE MAORI MAKES IT TOO HOT.

JEAN AND THE BLUE BIRD. One hot afternoon last summer Jean lay under the old apple-tree wondering what she could do next. She had played every game she knew of, and all games are rather dull, as you know’, when you have to play by yourself, as Jean had to. Presently her mother would come arid call her to tea, but what should she do till then, thought Jean. “llow would you like me to take you to have a peep in a happy land?” said a voice above her. Jean looked up, and there on a branch of. the apple-tree sat a pretty little Blue Bird. “How could you tell what I was thinking about,?” said Jean, “because I wasn't talking to anyone.” “Ah! I can do all sorts of wonderful things, because I am not an ordinary bird, as you see by my pretty blue feathers,” said the shrill little voice. “Then I suppose you are one of those i little Blue Birds who always bring hap-piness—-the little Blue Birds that Mammy often tells me about?” said’Jean. ; “Well, if you want to come you must be quick about it, so close your eyes and count twenty quickly.” When Jean opened her eyes she found she was so small that the blades of grass reached to her shoulders! “Get on my back, for we must be off.” said the little Blue Bird. Away they flew high up in the air, with a sunbeam to guide them and point the way. for in that happy land the sun always shines. When Jean and the Blue Bird had been flying a long time thev came to a wood on the side of a hill.' “We are nearly there.” said the Blue Bird, as he alighted on a branch. Jean soon scrambled down the tree, and there at. the bottom was a little door. Jean undid the door with a golden key which the Blue Bird had given her, and when she stepped inside she saw a long, long passage in front of her with a bright light at the end. “Catch hold of my tail,” said the Blue Bird, “and I will show you the Jean walked and walked, and gradually the light got brighter and brighter, and as she drew nearer the light she could hear music and singing and laughter. “Why are they all so happy?” asked Jean. “Are they always like this?” The Blue Bird did not answer, but hurried her along the passage, and when she got to the end, what do you think s\je saw? Before her stretched a long garden which seemed to go on and on for miles. It was a lovely garden filled with flowers —here there was a fountain playing, and there a running stream. Among the flowers and on the grass sat lots and lots of babies. Some were fair, with eyes as blue as the sky j above them. Others had dark curly | hair, and all of them- were dressed In I white. [ “What do you think of this?” said the Blue Bird, turning to Jean. “I told 1 you I would bring you to a land of happiness.” “But why arc there only babies here?

And do they stay in this garden for ever?” exclaimed Jean. “This Is the happy land where babies live before they are born on earth,” said the Blue Bird. “They arc always happy here, where everything is beautiful, and they can play as long as they like. They stay here until one day their mother and father on earth want them, and then they sail away on the path of a sunbeam. See how happy they are with such loyely Joys to play with.” As he was speaking the Blue Bird guided Jean to a baby who was playing on the grass with a ball all the colours of the rainbow. “Here you would be able to make daisy chains for ever,” said the Blue Bird, as he and Jean walked over the grass, sprinkled with pinkAipped daisies. “And there they make puddings a?id sand castles and lots of other things I could show you, but we must be getting back again.” Jean could hardly, say a word, because she was so surprised at all she saw. She wanted to stay and playgames with some of the-babies and pick some of the flowers. “Tell me one thing before I leave.” said Jean. “Where does all this lovely music come from?” “Why, don’t you see all the little Blue Birds up in the trees?” said Jean's companion. “They always sing like this because they are so happy.” “I feel happy here too,” said Jean,. “I should like to stay- here for ever, but I expect my. Mummy and Daddy would miss me, so I must go back.” Back they went along the passage, leaving the sunlight and flowers behind them. The Blue Bird locked the door with the golden key. and away he flew with Jean on his back. In a few minutes Jean was in her own garden under the old apple-tree once more. “Close your eyes and count twenty again,” said the Blue Bird. When Jean opened her eyes she had grown to her usual size. The Blue Bird on the branch above was ready to fly “If you look for me, I will come for you another day and take you to the happy land again,” he said as he flew What was that that Jean heard? Why, it was her mother calling her to tea. What a lovely afternoon she had had? She must tell her mother about it. Away she ran across the grass. HIDDEN NAME'S'OF WELSH , PLACES. 1. Do write and tell Fanny we are coming to-morrow. Just put on a postcard. “If fine coming to-morrow—’ Thursday." 2. We will drive to the beach in the car, dig a nice big hole in the safld, I and fix our tent there, then boil our kettle and have a picnic. 3. Come with me to the park and feed the swans. Each one of you take a piece of bread, or anything else, to give them. 4. I see you very often by the stile when I am coming home from town through the fields. o. Oh ! see the lovely white sno' v!

Do not let anyone walk on the lawn to spoil its smooth whiteness. fi. Do you know the name of the princess, Kate? Yes. madamc. Ena. 1 am quite sure, for I saw it on her luggage. SOLUTION TO HIDDEN NAMES of welsh places. L Cardiff. 2. Cardigan. 3. Swansea. 4. Tenby. 5. Snowdon. 6. Menai. TO LET. Ihtee little beaks went “tap-tap-tap”! _1 hree little shells went “crack”! Three little chicks stepped out of doors. Fluffy and round and black. And when you see them, don't forget That three little houses are now "To Let.” RIPDLE-ME-REE. What Js worse than raining cats and dogs. ——Hailing cabs and omnibuses. Why is a watch like a river?—Because it won t run along without winding. Why is the letter “A" like honey suckle?—Because there is a “B” after it. Why is Paris like the letter “F?”— It is the capital of France. W hy is a bad picture like weak tea ? —Because it is not well drawn. What river is that which runs between two seas?—The Thames which flows between Chelsea and Battersea. Mother: “You’ve been knitting away for. a full hour.” Dorothy : “Sorry, mother, but I’m in a hurry to finish this jumper before the wool runs out.” TIIE COUSINS. Now, you teeny-tweeny ones, here’s something for you all to your own selves. It is what grandpapa told me he sang when he was a very little boy. J ou can sing it to any tune vou like, but grandpapa says when he was little they always managed to give “ Kiino ” a high top note, and “ Day ” was down low and grumbly. A merry mouse lived in a mill, Strim, stram. bom-a-diddle kimo (kv-mo) : His cousin frog lived in a well. Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle da}-. Chorus— Strim, strum, stram-a-diddle, Ralla-budda, rigdom, Strim, strain, bob-a-diddle kimoStrim, stram. strum-a-diddle Ralla-budda-rigdom, Strim, stram, bob-a-diddle da}:! The mouse he lived on stolen seeds, Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle kimo; His cousin frog on water weeds, Strim, strain, bom-a-diddle day. Chorus. The mouse he called on Mr Frog, Strim, strain, bom-a-diddle kimo: And heard him singing “Chog-ker-chog," Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle day. Chorus again. Then mouse and frog together sang, Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle kimo; Until the well with music rang. Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle day. Chorus over again. The frog returned the mouse’s call, Strim. stram, bom-a-diddle kimo; And sang again in mouse’s hall, Strim, stram, bom-a-diddle day. Chorus last time. THE TABLES TURNED. Phelini, Pat and Pinchme, Went down to the river to bathe; Phelim and Pat were drown-ded. And who do you think was saved? This was wfiat Jocei}*n asked Joc-y when they were playing together. Jocelyn put a big emphasis on the “ drownded “ —that was just to lay a trap for Joe}-. But. Joey was sharp and not to be had as easily as that. “Why, that third chap! What’s-his-name—l forget 1 Er-er-um-um ?” “ Pinchme!” said Jocelyn, taken off his guard, and, of course. Joey at once did as he was requested! Next time Jocelyn caught Joey in this way: “ I bet. I'll make you say * Black ’ before I’ve asked you three questions.” “ Bet you won’t,” said Joey. “ Try, then ! ” “ What colour is the Union Jack?” asked Jocelyn. Red, white, and blue,” answered Joey smartly. “ There, I bet I'd make you say ‘ blue ” before I’d asked you three questions,” remarked Jocelyn drily, “ You didn’t say ‘ blue,’ you said ' black,' ” retorted Joey huffily. And of course he had said it! RIDDLE-ME-REE. What tree would you expect to find growing near the seashore?—Why, beech, of course. And by a school?—The birch and the willow. And on the side of a volcano? Mountain asfi. .