THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 11

THE WENDY HUT

OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

My Dear Children, — Well, at last Xmas Eve is almost at hand and I know how you can hardly await the coming of Xmas Morn to see what Santa has brought. Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas as he is called in some countries, is the patron saint of children and this is a story of the first Christmas gifts he distributed. Saint Nicholas lived in Athens, and they loved him because he was always just and kind. Even the people who lived in far lands heard of his love for the children. So, when a great lord of Asia sent his three boys to school in Athens, he told them to go first to Saint Nicholas and ask his blessing. The three boys travelled alone, and it was night when they reached Athens. Not knowing where Saint Nicholas lived, they put up at an inn. When the innkeeper saw their luggage he knew that the boys were rich, so that night while they slept he crept into their room tied them up and took them to the cellar, where he left them to die of starvation, and stole their luggage. Now there were three other children in Athens who were unhappy that night because their stepmother was unkind to them. They were three girls, and they wept bitterly as their stepmother told them they would have to work hard for her all thenlives because they were too ugly to get husbands. Then they decided to run away, and crept through the dark city to the place where Saint Nicholas lived to ask his blessing before they started out on their adventure. It was about Christmas time, and Saint Nicholas was very worried because he felt there were unhappy children in Athens, and he wondered how he could find them and help them. As he was sitting over his fire thinking, he heard a timid knock at the door. When he opened it he saw the three sisters. They came in and when they had told him their story, Saint Nicholas went to his cupboard and brought out three bags of gold. “You must go home and be kind to your stepmother,” he smiled. “You'll never do any good by running away from trouble. But here's a present for each of you. A bag of gold. Don’t spend it, but keep it till you are old enough to marry, and with such a rich wedding portion to look forward to you will grow beautiful if you are good. A happy Christmas my children and bless you.” The three girls ran horn in joy, but still feeling troubled Saint Nicholas put on his cloak and went out. He was guided to the inn where the three boys were in the cellar, and when the innkeeper saw him he was terrified. “Confess your crime,” said Saint Nicholas sternly. The man fell on his knees and told what he had done. Then Saint Nicholas released the boys from the cellar, took them home with him, and gave to each the gift for which he asked. So when Christmas Day dawned, and all the bells rang out, there was not one unhappy child in Athens. In his joy Saint Nicholas sent them all a gift, and they came flocking round him in merriment and gratitude. “Bless you my children,” smiled Saint Nicholas, "A happy Christmas to you all.” And that is my wish to you all, too. “A really happy Christmas.” Ere I conclude I wish to thank ‘‘Madame X’’ and "Yellow Rose of Texas” for sending me lovely cards conveying thoughts for my happiness this festival. I must also acknowledge further parcels of used stamps for the Blind Children’s U.S. Campaign. They were from Master Jack Stevens, of Castlecliff, and "Sympathiser” My love and kisses from your ever affectionate, — WENDY