THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

My Dear Children,— Tis Saturday} again! Goodness, but how the time flies. A few short weeks and Christmas is here! The happy holiday festive season sc loved and looked forward to by all, little and big, will cast its benign radiance over all and "Peace on Earth, good will to all,” will make light our hearts. IV e shall Work an d play. Let us endeavour to make happier the hearts bowed down by care. Let us sec just how much easier We can make the load borne by aur less fortunate comrades. Let our cheerfulness dispel all their troubles, and, like the early morning mist, flee as before the rising sun.

Who do you think came to see me yesterday ? t Why, no other than kindly old Lather Time! Now, I suppose you must all wonder why so distinguished a person should pay me a visit, so I will tell you all about it.

As I sal musing upon our Hut's progress since when first I threw open wide the doors leading to Make Believeland. 1 did not become aware of my visitor's presence until he laid his time-worn and wrinkled old hand upon my shoulder, and said, "How fare all with your band, Wendy?”

/ sat upright with a great start, for my thoughts were-indeed far away. I wondered how many of those old 'ltes of mine, who were first with me in our happy Hut, were making their way uninterruptedly, and with all speed, along Life's pathway, to the ambitious goals they had set out to reach. I wondered if any —although each had set out With head held high and shoulder squared—had fallen short of the coveted prize. Then, too, I wondered again if, perchance, there were some whose burdens were too heavy for them, and becoming increased, lost heart. How easy it would be for us, 1 thought, to just take hold of their heavy loads and with a firm grip of the hand, and a smile, infuse a new courage and a new hope into their discouraged hearts, so that they would once again hold high their heads and with fresh determination step out ;n the ever-onward march towards Life's attainment, and in the end to be greeted and rewarded by the radiance from the never-selling sun of successful endeavour.

Those were the thoughts, dears, that passed through by mind as I sal in meditation. So you see Father Time's entry surprised me a good deal. I turned and looked up into the kindly old eyes of my visitor. Did 1 see there the dimness that goes with age? No! His eyes were just as sparkling bright as ever, nor did his deeply-lined face appear to have taken unto itself added lines of care or sorrow. For a moment or two I did not speak, then rising to my feet, I sard, IVell, l ather Time, you do not appear to be any older!

"But I am, U'cndy, I am nearly a year older, and as you may see by this time-glass of mine 1 have here, it is quite time I called upon my old friend, Santa Claus. All the dear children will be waiting for him, and I must not disappoint them, must I?”

No, Father 1 ime, you must not, I replied, the children must never be forgotten. That would, indeed, be a tragedy.

IVell, children. Father 7 ime is a busy man, and he could not slay long, but before he look his leave of me he reminded me that it Was time for our Christmas Story and Poem Competition. Just as well he reminded me, Wasn't it, for / had almost forgotten? So, dears, ijou must set to work now with a right good will, and just let me see what a host of wonderful stories you can write for our pages. Here are all the rules and conditions which I want you to observe; — CHRISTMAS STORY AND POEM COMPETITION PRIZES: Story Competition: Seniors—First, 5/-; Second, 2/6. Story Competition: Tinies—First, 5/-; Second, 2/6. Poem Competition: Seniors—First, 5/-; Second, 2/6. Poem Competition: I inics—First, 5/-: Second, 2/6. . - Eight lovely prizes in all. , Just imagine what a nice little Xmas present you will be able to buy with any of the above prizes. You'll all try so hard. / to win, won't you? CONDITIONS: Like all other competitions we must have some rules, and here they arc:— /■—The work must be your very own effort, but you may ask daddy, mother or teacher, questions before commencing your entry. 2.—Stories should not be more than 500 words, and poetry not more than six verses. J.—Entries must be accompanied by your own name, as well as pen-name, age, and address, arj must be sent separately to your ordinary letter, the word "Competition” being marked in the corner of envelope. 4. —Write on one side of paper only. This rule must be strictly adhered to, otherwise your entry will not be eligible. 5. —Entries close on December 13 and should be addressed to "IVendy,” c/o "Chronicle,” Box 105, IVanganui. 6. —No lie over the age of I 6 years may enter. 7. —A Imy will be a competitor who is 1 I and under, and a Senior 12 and up to 16 years of age. I think those rules will cover our Competition, dears, quite nicely. You must now to work and just see what lovely little thoughts and actions you can bring from your own hearts and minds and commit to paper, per your industrious pens. All right, then! B-z-z-z! B-z-z-z! Gracious, there goes Mr Printerman's buzzer and I must hurry, so dears I send you, from the tiniest tot io the most grown-up senior, all my warmest love and kisses, from your ever affectionate,

OUR

CHILDREN’S CORNER