CHILDREN’S CORNER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18088, 23 February 1927, Page 10

CHILDREN’S CORNER

A LETTER TO YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE " STAR ” CIRCLE.

My dearest twinklers — Did you know that something very serious nearly happened last week? It was all through choosing curtains for the clubroom, and I don't know whose fault it was, but I nearly became colour-blind. For a long time I had been thinking about curtains and the'colour of curtains and, during the hot, sunny weather I declared that I must get them at once. I looked at the wall-paper and settled the matter quickly, that any colour would go with it, because it is fawn. I gazed so long at the multitude of coloims in the ceiling-paper, which consists of a “ fruity ” design, that I got a severe pain in the back of my neck. I clasped my- neck with both hands and tramped to and fro thinking that if I did that I'd forget about it. I was really improving rapidly and the pain had nearly subsided when*a gruff voice from the editor's room immediately underneath rang up the stairs and asked if I would mind taking my exercise at some other* tijne. Little did he think that I was try ing to decide upon the colour of curtains!

Then I sat down and thought of another way by which I could decide on the colour that would go best with the host of autumn tints in that ceiling wallpaper. For a moment I wished I had chosen a plain white ceiling! Suddenly I recollected a visit to tire Sis tine Chapel in the Vatican. The ceiling in the chapel is wonderfully painted and, in order to examine the paintings in comfort, visitors are handed a mirror which, of course; reflects the wealth of art on the ceiling, so in that way stiff necks are avoided. I knew I had a mirror somewhere, so I found it and placed it on the table. After a study of it for about* half an hour, I decided that green would go with every colour I saw in the mirror. “ But there are so many shades of green,’’ I said to myself. “ Yes, there are —emerald, olive—” replied a voice from the leadlights above the windows. I looked up and saw the leadlight fairy at work dusting each little leadlight with a minute feather duster, which was made with canary feathers. “ You never took the colours of the leadlights into consideration at all,” said she. “ Well, what colours are they?” I asked politely, too tired to look up again. “ Pink and green ” was the reply. Green will be quite all right,” I thought to myself as I set out for the draper’s shop. ‘‘Would you show me something for curtains, please?” I asked the assistant standing at attention behind the counter. “May I enquire the colour, madam?” he asked very politely. “ Gre.en, please,” I answered firmly. “ Green!” he almost yelled, as if he didn’t hear me. “ Yes, green,” I said. “Have you no green?” “Unlucky, unlucky,” he repeated, shaking his head. “Is it really?” I asked; “and do you think I shall be unlucky if I choose green?” “ Most decidedly I do. Why, I knew someone who had green curtains and they were dead inside a week.” Not wanting to be dead inside a week, I reluctantly decided against green. “Which way does the room face, may I ask?” enquired the shop assistant. “South,” I answered. “Oh then, that quite alters the.case. A bright colour is required, such as—” “ Pink,” I interrupted at once. “And I think I like that deep rose pink over there. Ten yards, please.” I gave him the name and address and felt ever so happy, for I was quite sure that all Stars loved pink. So now there are pink curtains hanging hv the windows, and if you are not quite sure which is the Stars’ club-room as you pass across the Square the pink curtains will tell you.—Yours lovingly, EVANGELINE.

EVANGLINE’S LETTER-BOX. Florence Williams, —Your long interesting letter just received, Florence, vrith all the jokes, some of which I shall use next week. As a reward for neat and careful writing, look in Starland Column next Wednesday! Dulcie Hodson,—Our Page is progressing and we are getting lots of new Stars. Thank you so much for your photo. Now I shall know you when we meet, which I hope will be soon. Leslie Hodson, —Well done for your first letter. It is wonderful and not one mistake either. What a lucky boy you were at Christmas! Noelene Ware.—Your tiny letter came as a great surprise to me. lam quite sure. Noelene, that the Duke and Duchess will just love the children’s display. Sea Pearl,-.-I thought you had forgotten the Star Circle, Sea Pearl! I am just overjoyed at receiving your photo. I hope Thursday will be bright and sunnv for the picnic. Emerald,—l have been thinking of you such a lot and hoping you would write to me soon. What interesting o'utrngs you had during the holidays! In reply to your last question, read next Saturday's letter. Lawrence Hedson.—Welcome! Little Shooting Star. Father Christmas took a big load of presents to your place, «dn’t he? Write again, little boy 1 Josephine Chester, —That was a lovely little joke you sent me and I hope you will send some more. Can you write stories or poetry? Valma Windsor, —I thought you would like the card, Valma. So you prefer school to holidays? It wouldn’t do to have all school and no holidays, for then you’d forget how to play! How would you like to call your kitty “Snowball” or. “Star.” Star Fairy.—That is quite a good scheme. Star Fairy, to head your letter to me with our motto! But I’m afraid a little adjective, “the,” ran away and hid just you were going to write it! Whatever should I have done if you liad stopped in Akaroa altogether? Joke Box is beginning to smile again quite naturally now. lie only wishes he could radio to you. Now, Star Fairy, I’d just love to accept your invitation this week, but I have piles of work to do as new names are coming in fast—then I am arranging a surprise which you will read about on Saturday. But after the “surprise” is all over, then I hope to have more time.

Tui Hudson,—l am glad you arc going to try and live up to the motto, Tui. Do you enjoy the baths? Yes, I’d love to have the riddles.

I>orothy Smith, —I have created you a Starlet, Dorothy, and I hope you will find a lot of pleasure in belonging to the Page. I can easily see which flower you love best! I hope you will grow big and strong just like that flower.

Phyllis Anton, —Welcome, little poetess! Now that you have told me your seqret, I am expecting many original contributions from you. The fuchsia is a wonderful flower, isn’t it? I wonder if you could write me a poem about it. and call it “To a Fuchsia”? Doreen Hawkes,- A big welcome to Doreen! Did you know that the Emperor of Japan has a sixteen-petal led chrysanthemum for his crest? It was chosen because the flower binds itself together at the top and the Mikado or Emperor likes to bind himself round the hearts and souls of his people, so I want you to attach yourself to the Star Circle and help it in every way

Grade Gallaher, —I have put your name in the register and soon your card will be posted to you . I hope von won’t forget your promise to send some jokes and riddles for the Page. Are you going to try and be as bright as the little godetia ? Ida Milne?. —So glad to get your letter, Ida, and to hear you passed and received a prize. Also, that lam very J *orry your sister is in hospital. Let |

us all hope that she will soon be home again. What a lucky girl she is to go to the School of Art! It was very sad to read that your little ducks and bantams died. What happened? Were they ill very long? Which name do you want for your pen-name, Ida—• “Snowbell” or “Snowball”? I think “Snowball” is a very pretty one, don’t you? Pearl Charmings,—The Star Circle is delighted to welcome you. Pearl, especially as you are going to become an active member by sending Joke Box lots of little treasures. Edythe Thom,— Hurry up and get well again, Edythe, so that you will be able to come and see me. Yes, I like “Star Queen” ever so much. Ilow did you manage to think of such a prettyname ? Somehow I think your medicine must have been rather nice—was it? You were the author of the story you sent me, Edvthc, not the “editor.” See if you can discover the difference in the meaning of the two words by the time you write to me again ! Moonlight,—That is very good news about your passing into standard six, Moonlight, and I wish you lots of good luck this year. The description of your summer holiday sounded very cheery. What a jolly time everyone must have had at Sumner! It was lucky for you that the merry-go-round man was so kind. I don’t think I ever met such a good-natured one when 1 was a little girl! Are you quite well again now ? Will you show me all your certificates and prizes some day? Shamrock, —With this pen-name I am anticipating some witty contributions from you. I hope I shall not be disappointed! I was down at Scarborough for the holidays and I wonder if I saw you on the beach? I believe I do remember someone gazing at the dancing waves, and thinking to herself, “How very beautiful it all is! I think I’ll try and describe the waves and the echoes to Evangeline ! ” LETTERS FROM STARLAND. Dear Evangeline,—l shotild like to be a Shooting Star. I have been to school a year now. We have been for many motor rides lately. I have got a lovely big Teddy Bear. I got him for Christmas with a lot of other toys. Did you get anything? This is the first letter I have ever written. I must say goodbye now*. Leslie Hodson. Dear Evangeline,—Thank you very very much for my membership card, which I received on Friday when I came home from school. I had my photo taken at school, so I am enclosing one of them for you. Our school picnic is on Thursday, February 24, at Rangiora. I am hoping for a nice fine day.—Your dear Starlet, Sea-Pearl. Dear Evangeline,—l am very sorry I have not written to you before.

Never mind, cheer up, and I will tell you something about my enjoyable holiday. We went to Sumner, and first of alt we had a bathe. We slipped into our bathing costumes and rushed for the sea- Then we frolicked and danced 1 about. The waves were crested with salted spray and dashed agamsT th.% rocks with a resounding echo. When the sea dashes into spray against the rocks it looks very beautiful. Many people take snapshots of the beach, seaand hills. I wonder where you went for your holiday? Would you tell me? —Your loving Shamrock. Dear Evangeline,—Thank you very much for my membership card, which I received yesterday, and which I am very proud of. I hope you will excuse me for not writing to you this long while. I was very glad to begin school again. I am eleven and am in the Fifth Standard. Would you please give me a name for my little white kitten; it is only four months old.— Valma Windsor. Dear Evangeline,—Just a few lines to let you know* that I have received your card. I w*ill do all that is in my power to live up to our motto. Igo to the Tepid Baths every Monday and Thursday*. May I send you some riddles? T hope you arc in good health. —With loye from Tui Hudson. Dear Evangeline,—l am very eager to join your splendid circle. I have a lot of poems and essays which I have composed. I should like, for my penname, “ Fuchsia,” as I think the flower and name very pretty. I am just longing to come and see you at the “ Star ” Office and to speak to you—Your anticipating Starlet Phyllis Anton. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STARS. THE REASON. “ You are a naughty boy, Tommy,” said his mother. “ Why did you smack baby?” “ W-well.” sobbed Tommy, “ he’s drinked all the ink and he won’t eat a piece of blotting paper! ” Josephine Chester. What part of a fish weighs the most? —The scales. Why did the razor-bill raise her bill? —To let the sea-urchin see her chin. What letters of the alphabet are supposed to have eyes?—A and B, because ABC (see) D. Why did the penny stamp—Because the threepenny bit. Shamrock. Which is the oldest tree in the world? —The elder tree. Which tree is the warmest clad?— The fir. Which is the housewife’s tree?—The broom. Why is corn like a dunce; —Because it is likely to have its ears pulled. Why do we buy shoes?—Because we can’t get them for nothing. What tree is best in a bottle?—The cork. Star Fairy. PICKLE LEFT ON TRUST. “On trust. Pickle!” said his master very sternly, knocking the end of his stick on the bare floor of the kitchen. “ Bow-wow-wow! Very welt, master,” said Pickle, sitting up very proudly. He had learn that when his master said “On trust,” he meant it, so he sat there and listened to all the noiseWhat a noise there was for the move was nearly over and cases were being hammered down/ All day long Pickle had been helping them, and he was nearly worn out. “ It’s rather nice being on trust for a bit,” he said, closing one eye. But when he opened it again what a change had taken place! The stock was there all right, but all the noise had gone. The moving men’s voices were quiet and he could not hear his mistress's voice calling out, “ Oh. you are scratching the furniture.” Neither could he hear his master’s voice asking what was th<* matter. “ I’m on trust,” said Pickle, trying very hard to be brave. “But I wonder where they have gone?” he asked, as he thumped his tail to remind himself that he was there. It was no use thumping or barking, so he began to howl.

“ Wow-w, wow-w!” yelled Pickle. " Wow-w, they’ve forgotten me, and after all my good deeds, too. Wowwow ! They can get another dog. Wow-w, wow-w!” “They have gone away.” said the next-door cat. “ Grrrr,” said Pickle in reply. “ I’m on trust.” Just at that ifioment a motor-car stopped outside and/Betty stepped out. “Pickle darling!” picking him tip in her arms. “We got a taxi specially to get you,” she said affectionately. And Pickle was so contented that hc fell asleep in her arms. Edythe Thom. WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS. Donald Graves, Huia Lye. Dorothy Lye, Dorothy Smith. Phyllis Anton, Doreen Hawkes, Gracie Gallaher, Pearl Channings, Leslie Ilodson, Dulcie Hodson, Lawrence Hodson. ANSWERS TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLES. A RHYME IN CODE. The following is the key to this rhyme. Take the letters which appear in the alphabet immediately before those set out in the “ code,” and you will find that they reveal the nursery rhyme about Jack and Jill. Thus “ Kbdl ” means “ Jack.’’ A ONE-LINE PUZZLE. The diagram below represents the puzzle which can be done without lifting the pencil or going over the same line twice by beginning at A and ending at B. The lines have been left unjoined to show you the way. AN “ O ” PUZZLE. THE STORY OF OLIVIA AND OLIVER. Olivia and Oliver were the two children of Mr O’Shea, who owned an old orchard near an orphanage. One morning at breakfast, while they were having an omelette, their father suggested a visit to the museum. The children were overjoyed, but Mr O’Shea said he wanted them to do some gardening first. So they put on their overalls and obediently went outside to weed the oleanders and orchids. Suddenly Oliver called out, “ Oh, I say here’s an onion in among our flowers!” The garden was a large one and contained an oak tree which old Othello the cat loved to climb. This morning Olivia climbed up, too, in spite of Oliver’s opposition. Whiie she was looking at a field of oats in the distance she slipped and had to run home to get some ointment on her leg. When the gardening was finished their mother gave them some oatcake, and an orange each, while Mr O’Shea oiled the engine of the Overland. At last they got their overcoats and set out for the museum, which was opposite the library. Just as they were going out of the gate Mrs O’Shea called out, “Go to the grocer’s and bring me a jar of olives.” After a drive of several miles they reached the museum where they saw many wonderful and oddlooking things. First of all they went to see the rare china ornaments and a little model of an oomiak, which their father said was a boat used by the Esquimaux for outings in the summer time. Olivia and Oliver were very observant and noticed two pictured—one of an oasis in a desert, and the other of an Egyptian obelisk, which resembled a stone needle. Then they went to see the animals and birds. In an obscure corner stood a big orangoutang, which looked like an ogre. Nearby was an ocelot, like a very big spotted cat. Beside it was an otter, which lives near the water and feeds on fish. They also saw owls, opossums, ostriches and a preserved octopus in a jar. Finally Mr O’Shea suggested it was time to go. Oliver said he would like the occupation of caretaker at a museum, but Olivia opposed him in his opinion, saying although he might like to visit one occasionally, he would soon get tired of being the caretaker.