JACK FROST, ARTIST, AND CHILDREN’S FRIEND

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 145, 20 June 1931, Page 18 (Supplement)

JACK FROST, ARTIST, AND CHILDREN’S FRIEND

(Original.) (The Prizewinner.)

“ Seven o’clock. Really, children, you must get up or you will be late for school,” says mother as she looks through the bedroom door for the second time in the morning. “ And there is a nice white frost outside.” “ Hurrah ” shouts Bill. “We will have some corker slides down the slope, going to school.” “ Oh, look at the window,” exclaims little Betty. “ What a lovely picture ! ”

Have you ever looked at the windows on a very frosty morning and seen the wonderful pictures there? Yes, Jack Frost is a very clever artist. He paints some marvellous scenes. On my window as I dressed I saw a beautiful fairy glade; ferns, trees, flowers, and, yes, a little frozen rivulet were painted there. I was amazed. I could not take my eyes off it till mother’s voice came to me,

“ Come, Madge, are you dreaming? Your porridge will be cold.” Hurriedly I washed and made ready for breakfast. Half-past eight; time for starting for school if we wished to have a game on the way. Rushing out, we collided -with Dad.

“ Look at the track,” he said, “ it’s frozen hard, just like glass.” “ Nice for skating,” said Bill. “No,” replied Dad, “skates would run away with you. “ But,” he added, “ I have a surprise for you,”

“ 6h, a toboggan,” we all cried at once, looking where he was pointing. “Jump in. Hold tight! ”he said. We all scrambled in, and taking the ropes Dad gave it a mighty push and jumped on behind as it started down the hill. What fun it was!

“ Now, out you get, run up the hill, and "I’ll pull her up. Just time for a couple more rides.” Hurrah! Dad, you’re a sport,” hollers Bill. I think so, too, so does Betty. What a glorious time we had often when the track was frozen. We never once growled about the cold. We love Jack Frost in spite of his cold breath and nippy waj^s. Zoo Bartlett.

Our Friend. I travel all the winter through, No matter what the cost; I paint up all the things I meet, For I’m your friend Jack Frost. Zillah Ives, Papanui. FROST PICTURES. Winter has come, winter has come, And so has the ice and snow. Beware of Jack Frost, beware of him, The naughty imp is he to come. He comes at night when we’re in bed, He comes on to the window pane, He paints the pictures of every kind. Of flowers in spring and summer. Nancy Brown. WHAT IS WILD THYME? When Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, wearing a skull-cap, ladies’ slippers and larkspurs, dances with wild rose wearing hose-in-hose with dandelion clocks, until night-shade turns to mornings glory. 3@@@®®@®®@®®@®@@®®®@