“WENDY’S CHRISTMAS GIFT SURPRISE”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

“WENDY’S CHRISTMAS GIFT SURPRISE”

“Please, Wendy—1 —er —at least, we —that is to say —oh, you tell her, Sir Ernest.” The Gnome of Gratitude, shifting nervously from one foot to the other, looked beseechingly at Sir Ernest Endeavour. “Well, Wendy,” began the latter, “we have conic —that is—er—we are here to —ah—er —I mean to say at least, we want —oh, Sir Richard, you tell Wendy what we want.” And Sir Ernest Endeavour, fidgetting with tho joints of his suit of armour, appealed to the Hut Protector to help him out with the explanation. “Well, well,” queried Wendy, “what is this all about? Have you come to scold me for something, or do you want me to scold you, or commend you, or what?” Sir Richard cleared his throat importantly, tugged vehemently at his collar and began: ‘ ‘ I—at least I mean wc—have come to ask you something, Wendy. As you know, Christmas is nearly here ... . ” “Yes,” agreed Wendy. “ ... and we decided that as we didn’t know what sort of gift you would like we would, well—er —ask you.” “Oh, I sec,” replied Wendy. “But really that’s too good of you.”

Now that an explanation of this special visit to her sanctum had been made, her three henchmen heaved three deep sighs of relief. •• We thought,” continued Sir Richard, the spokesman of the trio, “that as you have plenty of handkerchiefs, coat-hangers, and photo, frames and things we would like to give you something different . . . but it must be something you would really like.” “You are really very considerate,” beamed Wendy. “Now, let me think. . . . . No, I'm afraid 1 can’t think of anything at present; but if 1 do think of something, I’ll tell you to-morrow morning for sure.” “Thanks ever so much,” replied Sir Richard, backing towards the door. “Christmas is drawing near now, and wc do not want to leave your present till the last minute.” For the rest of that day, and all next morning, Sir Richard, the Gnome and Sir Ernest thought and thought and thought. Many and varied were tho suggestions each offered, but no decision was touched. Mid-day drew near, and still Wendy had said nothing about the matter that was uppermost in the three clliu minds. “Whatever can we do about it?” whispered Sir Ernest in agitation as the clock hands crop on. “We MUST think of ” “Ah, I’ve got it! Such a splendid idea!” exclaimed Sir Richard, nearly falling off an office stool in his excitement. “Why ever didn’t 1 think oi it before? My aeroplane!” “Well, and what about it?” queried the Gnome in amazement. “You know,” gurgled Sir Richard, “there’s a certain wonderful lever in it. Y'ou remember, when 1 meet the old Witch in the air, I move the lever to tho left and the ’plane grows ever

so big and frightens her, and then .... ” “But we can’t give Wendy a fright for a Christmas present!” broke in »Sii‘ Ernest, gasping in horror. Sir Richard was very amused. “Of course not; ha! ha!” he laughed. “Calm yourself, my dear young man, 1 don’t intend to give her a fright. When you interrupted 1 was just going to tell you that if the lever is moved to the right, it will make Wendy small enough to fit into the ’plane. Let’s give her a ride around • the Wendy Hut. ’ ’ “What a good idea,” agreed the Gnome. “If Wendy doesn’t suggest anything before twelve o’clock, let us suggest this plan to her.” Mid-day chimed, and still no word from the leader. So, as the twelfth stroke rang out, a timid knock sounded on the office door, and in response to the cheery “Come in,” the three Hut elves stood once more in her presence. It did not take Sir Richard long to explain tho Christmas gift they had planned for their loader, who was simply delighted. “Oh, how wonderful,” she cried. “When may wc go? I'm so excited that I’d like to begin at once.” “You are busy?” asked Sir Ernest, glancing at the piles of Christmas mail in the office. “Yes, 1 am rather; but all the same ” “I’ll tell you what, Wendy,” put in Sir Richard, “even though you are busy, let us' go straight away, and I promise to have you back again in time to get all the mail fixed.” “Oh, splendid,” Wendy agreed, and while Sir Richard was taking his aeroplane from its hanger—which was none other than a pigeon-hole in the office desk —he moved the lever to the right,

and Wendy was soon Just the right size. Helmets and coats donned, lour happy people set uut for their Christmas flight; and buch a flight it was. Every llut member, from the oldest to the youngest was visited—though perhaps they did not know it. Were they busy? Oh dear me, yes, ever so busy, and being busy, they were happy, too. Clever fingers were busy fashioning all sorts of gay novelties and gifts for Christmas; nimble feet ran hither and thither as their owners bought things, collected parcels caught Christmas mails, mixed Christmas puddings, and did ail sorts of other useful things; while active kindly minds planned and arranged many ways by which others could be helped and made especially happy. All this Wendy and her three companions saw from th 0 air; then, lot he as she was to return home, Wendy, fearing lest Sir Richard might linger too long on his flight, had at length to remind him that it was getting laic. Remembering his promise, the pilot at once turned his ’plane homewards, and before very long had landed on the table in the deserted office. “Oh,” groaned Wendy as she alighted, “those piles of letters 1 left scent to have grown into absolute mountains. They will overwhelm me!” “Wait a minute,” consoled Sir Richard, “it’s not really as bad as it seems,” and moving the lever to the centre again, he caused Wendy to grow to her normal size again. “Ah, that’s better,” she laughed. “And now back to work! But first of all 1 must, thank you again, my three right hand men, Tor that wonderful ride which was the best Christmas present you could possibly give me.” “PETER PAN II,” M.W.L.