THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

My dear Children, — . s So far 1 have got, but can go no further until I find my P en - L ha* become lost! Last evening, as I arose from my chair after attending to a portion of my mail, I laid my pen upon my desk, and now. this morning. I cannot find it. 1 wonder what can have become of it? I hope the O.a Witch has not made off with it. Now, 1 come to think of it, ll may be possible, for my study window was left open all night, and she could easily have flown in, snatched it up, and repaired to her den, there to gloat over my concern for a gift so valued. Do you know, dears, that from the moment / opened our Hut’s doors that pen has been with me constantly? Never for a moment has it rested, but always and ever been ready for its duty every Letterland Day, so now you can understand my fears for mJ; pen the Wendy Pen! You see it knows everyone of you, for it writes my thoughts to you, whether in answer or make-believe, and I feel no other pen can, with as sincere a spirit greet my lies upon this, our day of the Re-union. What ever can Ido? ft is no use, I must search for my pen. ■ . . Oh, Sir Richard, lam in such trouble. lam sure you can help me. "Goodness, Wendy, but what can the matter be? ’ ' I’ve lost my pen. Sir Richard. 1 cannot write to my lies with this one I now hold. “Your pen! Surely not the Wendy Pen! Yes, Sir Richard, my Wendy Pen. Last evening I put it down upon my desk, and this morning it is gone! "Well, well! But that is strange, Wendy, surely no one could have stolen it?” Oh, no! 1 would not say that. Sir Richard, but "H'm. Perhaps you placed it elsewhere, Wendy, and have forgotten for the moment." No 1 am quite sure I laid it down here upon my desk, but 1 did think perhaps ’the old Witch had made off with it. Do you think that possible. Sir Richard. Do you think she would do that ? "Well the old Witch is always up to some mischief oi other, but I do not think she would do that. She knows full well that the Fairy Queen is your friend, and so would, I feel sure, hesitate to offend her Majesty by causing you anxiety. No, Wendy, I think We may safely assume the old Witch is innocent. But where can my pen be, though? "Yes, where can it be? Perhaps if I S-s-s-h! Wendy, but look there. Whose shoes are those sticking out from beneath that huge armchair of our Gnome of Gratitude s? Oh, Sir Richard, it cannot be a burglar ? “No, those shoes are far too small for a burglar’s. More like someone's I know. ' Hist! A moment, Wendy, and I will pull their owner out from beneath the chair." Do be careful though. Sir Richard, for 1 see it is one of our little Tots come to play a joke upon me. Just pull him out gently. “You help me, Wendy, you take hold of one shoe and I the other. Are you ready? Yes, Sir Richard! “Now then, out you come, my little man! ’ Well, I never! Two empty shoes! Did you ever see the like of it. and here in one is my pen. I wonder, Sir Richard, where the owner can be ? “Wendy! Sir Richard!” ¥ ¥ ¥ * * Well, of all the surprises. It is our little "Clemerb." See him there. Sir Richard, peeping from over the top of my desk. So it was you. dear, who had my pen?” "Yes, Wendy, I took it, and hid it just for fun. Ha, ha, ha.'" Oh, dear, but you did make my heart go "pit-a-pat,” for I thought I had lost my pen for ever. "Please ’scuse me, Wendy, I did fink it Would be fun. Why dear, I am not cross, only just happy, because it Was you, and not the old Witch who had my cherished pen. Dear me, but what a merry ioke you played upon me though. Come here and I will give you a big kiss, for lam so glad you are with us this day of our Re-union. You are, you know, our 2000th lie, and I would have been sad, had you not answered the Roll Call. “I must go now, Wendy dear, “Grandaddy” is waiting for me. He told me to give you a ’sprise. He said you Wouldn't be angry with me." Why, of course not, you little dear. Away you go then. Good-bye. H'm, so it was “Grandaddy” after all. Beware, "Grandaddy!" ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Ah, dears, that is better. My Wendy Pen is in my hand, and now I can continue my letter to you this second week of our Re-union. What a merry time we have had, too. It is really lovely to have so many of our Ites of the Old Brigade with us, and io listen Io their adventures since last they answered the Roll. Why, we even have our long-lost "Perlinette” and "Annette" here today, and a clever marching song of their own composition, accompanies then footsteps Letterlandwards. There are others, too, as you will see, who have heard the call of the Clan, even no less a personage as "Herod the Bantam." I notice our feathered friend complains of a feeling of age, because of a family growing up around him. Well, never mind, "Herod," just preserve that youthful feeling of heart, and old age will flee from before its smiling cheerfulness. Father Time must exact his toll, ’(is true, but of our hearts he is not master. We alone rule the font of kindness and generous impulse. If for a moment .... Excuse me, cherubs. A messenger has arrived with an important missive. I wonder what it can be? Important? Why it is most important indeed, for it is our "Hut’s Padre's" blessing upon you all. Let me read it to you:—"Dear Wendy,—Just a short note of greetings in haste, in answer to my name at the Roll Call at the Wendy Re-union. God bless you all, dear children and grown-up readers. 1 will write you again shortly Love to all.—From your "HUT’S PADRE. Ah, dear "Hut’s Padre," how splendid and thoughtful of you to be with us this day. May I assure you of our very deep love and remembrance. Now, children, see what a great surprise the Elves have sprung upon us. Just look at the huge Re-union Cake they made and brought to me, so that our merry band may parta!;e thereof. It is their gift of gratitude, but We must not cut it till we meet again, for I have decided to extend oui Re-union another Week, after the arrival of Mr Postman with his bag just brimming over with letters from so many of our Old Brigade. The extension will allow all to attend now, and next Saturday to be the happiest our band has ever known. Well, children, before I leave you I must express a wish for your happiness, and echo our good "Padre's” blessing, too. I hope everyone is as happy as I am, and when again the time comes for us to gather together in Re-union, I shall still see the same “true-blue" Ites of our merry band. It is indeed wonderful for a mortal like me, to be your Leader, and receive as I do, the sincere warmth of heart and thought as is given each Letterland day to your proud and ever affectionate P.S.—A doubly-warm hug and kiss for you all, cherubs.

i J OUR il CHILDREN’S CORNER

Enter . . ‘•SERGEANT DAN’ .. .. o Years. ‘•ELFIN SNOWDROP" .. 9 Years. “MARAMA”I2 Years. Dear Wendy,—May I become a member ol your happj- band? I am 12 years old, and in Standard VI. I like writing very much; also music, gardening, reading, dancing, out-door-games and I love all animals. Are you allowed to write on both sides of the paper? Do you aign your real name as well as penname and have your age at the bottom of letter? Also do you have to have your parents* or guardian's signature? I see there is an Honours Board, where marks are awarded. What do they represent' and how do you distinguish one from the other? I hope you will not think me inquisitive, but this is my first letter. What are we called? I would like a pen-friend if I may between II or 13 years of age, either a girl or boy. and if possible in Wellington, Wanganui. Pahiatua or Palmerston. For my pen-name I would like “Marama,” means “Goddese of the Moon.” I go to Kaitawa .school, and T am the only one in Standard VI; there being only eleven children at the school. Please excuse my writing but my hand is tired. What a darling little house our Wendy Hut is. Do you give a certificate or badge. Wendy? Are you allowed to send in original or copied items, Wendy? T had my birthday last Wednesday, and we had great fun. This letter I’m afraid is a short one, bit never mind. Do we have a motto to keep? I must now close, with love to everyone.—l am, yours truly, “MARAMA,” Kaitawa. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my dear. I see I have to thank one of our band for your enrolment. I am glad you are a lover of animals. It ie against the rules to write on both sides of your notepaper. The answer is "yes” to the rest of your questions, except that you do not require your parents' signature. This only applies during competitions. The marks awarded each week are counted up by Sir Ernest Endeavour who confers an Order of Merit. You will see these later. We are known as Wendyites or Ites for short. You may have the ]«n-name you have asked for. Our badges cost Is 2d posted. Ites are allowed to send in original or copied contributions. Copied work is not encouraged, though. Our mail closes Wednesday evening of each week. The Hut’s • motto is “True Blue in all Things." -Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l hoj>e that you are well. I was eight years old on April 8. and 1 want to know if I could join the Wendy Hut? May J have “Sergeant Dan” for my pen-name, please? My brother and I go to the Silverhope school and I am in Standard I. The peny we rid< is called "Topsy,” but our w< e brother, aged two, calls her “School.” AV have a wee baby sister, and I am very proud of her. The photo of “Dan the Donkey” in the paper this morning amused me very much. I cannot write any more now, so I I will say good-bye. Best wishes.—From I “SERGEANT DAN,” Sil verhope. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my lear. Many thanks for your kind inquiry. I am keeping quite well. You may have the penname you have asked for. How lucky you aie to have a pony to ride to school. What a dear wee sister you have. No wonder you are proud of her. So “Dan the Donkey'*-” photo, made you laugh. Poor “Dan.” — Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l would very much like to be one of your members. We take the “Chronicle,’’ and I read it. 1 would like “Snowdrop” as my pen-name, for we live near Mt. Ruapehu, and see a great deal of snow. We had a fall of snow on Friday last. I am in Standard 111. and am nine years old. We have just had the whoopingcough, and we might come down to Wanganui for a while. With love. From ’ELFIN SNOWDROP.’ Raetihi. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my dear. 1 am sorry but the pen-name you have asked for is in use, but I have chosen “Elfin | Snowdrop” for you. Goodness, hut did you build a snowman, and have snow fights? | Whooping-cough is so distressing. I hope | you are quite better again now. it will l>u J lovely if you are able to visit Wanganui, won’t it? Now, dear, will you please send me the date of your birth and your full name?—Wendy.