“The Wise Men of Gotham.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 12

“The Wise Men of Gotham.”

My dear Grandchildren, —Is it a j-prise for you to see me to day, or have Ivon forgotten me? 1 wonder? Hasn’t the winter arrived in right, royal style? | We have had cold, blustery winds, rain •and fog, and methinks old King Winter is angry and has been upset. Now. I wonder if any of you have ever heard the tale of “The Wise Men of i Gotham”? This the tale, not of the [three who “went to sea in a bowl,” j but of the inhabitants of the village .of Gotham, in England. As King Jonn I was once passing through that place on his way to Nottingham, he proposed to | make a short cut across the meadows. I The villagers, thinking that whatever road a king took thenceforward became a public road, objected, much to John’s annoyance. Shortly afterward he sent some messengers from his court to learn the cause of the villagers’ rudeness. Hearing of the eo/ning of the king’s servants the villagers hit upon the following plan of turning aside the monarch’s wrath: When the messengers arrived .they found some of the inhabitants engaged in trying to drown an eel in a pond, others were busy rolling cheeses down a hill, so that. t they might run to Nottingham fnr jsale, while a third set were employed in (placing a hedge round a bush on which 'a cuckoo had perched, in order that they might enjoy perpetual spring. The king’s servants thought they had come among a village of fools, and having reported what they had seen, John formed the same opinion, and troubled himself no more about what he considered their incivility to him. Hence people have talked about the “wise men,” or “the fools.” of Gotham. There was much wisdom in their folly, however, dont’ you think? It is really surprising what some people will do to get themselves out of trouble, isn’t if? Well, I must be off, too, and so I send you my good wishes and hope you still remember your—“OLD GRAN,” | “I TRUST THAT ALL THE FAMILY ARE WELL,” THOUGHTFULLY SAYS “5.G.8.” Dear Wendy, —I wolud like to address a few words to our “ Wayback Liz.” Arc you keeping up with the good resolutions? They are, very good and most neeessary if we want to *eo • thing brighter and better in this poor j battered old world. I liked the verses you ({note. I enclose a companion i piece for you. Who Hath Despised the Day of Small Things? Father, where shall I work to-dayi And my Jove flowed warm and free. I 'Then He pointed me, out a tiny spot, I And said, “Tend that for me.” I answered quickly, “Oh, no, not that, “Why, no one would see no matter how well my work was done. Not that little place "or me.” And the word He spoke, it was not stern. He answered me tenderly, “Oh, little one, search that heart of thine. Art thou working for them or me?” Nazareth was a little place, I So was Galilee. Tn the first two lines, you ask for work to be given you. We have to keep eyes and ears wide open, to see when our help is needed and to hear calls for help. Did you ever see or hear the song. “The Master 'Stood in His I Garden”? He was among His lilies as I fair, but they were sadly drooping. They needed watering. The Master for a time could see no vessel in which he !could carry water. Nothing suitable. At last He saw an empty vessel. It was clean as well as empty, therefore the Master made use of it. Can you catch a glimpse of the meaning? If you do not know the song I think I can get the words; if so J will send them to you in care of Wendy. Now, Wendy, I trust that all the family are well and that they had a lovely Easter time. We had lovely weather and erjoyed the sunshine. Love to all, big pnd small. Good night. “5.8.G.,’ Palmerston North. How pleased our “ Way back Liz” will be, dear, to have your interest in her letter and resolution. T am glad to report Sick Bay all clear this Letterland Day, and I have great new* of our “Brave Heart,” who is recovering from his long affliction.—Wendy.