THE HAPPY MERMAIDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE HAPPY MERMAIDS.

The waves dashed gaily on. to the golden sands and, riding on their backs, came the mermaids, Golden Tip, Silvertail, and the Little One, with their sisters.

“They’ve gone!" they cried. “The little children have gone home to teal” Then they scrambled clear of the dancing water and shook their tails in the sun to dry them.

“I’ve found a castle,” cried Golden Tip, “oh, such a wonderful castle, with a flag flying in the tower!” She sat before a sand castle that a little hoy had made’ that afternoon. “Look at my cottage,” cried the Little One. “There are real windows in it and a tenny-weeny door, and a little garden ail round it.” And she tumbled her hands through her golden curls with joy. And Silvertail found a bridge with water running underneath it. They clapped their hands and dived back into the sea. Then there was a splash and hack they came, each pulling a strip of seaweed, which they lied round their ncwlv-found treasures, and dragged them into the waves.

Father Neptune laughed when he saw them coming, and pulled at his long, wince beard. “What jolly toys you have found today," he cried. “Are you sure they didn’t see you?”

“They had all gone home to lea,” laughed Silverlail. “We saw- them go.”

Father Neptune chuckled. “Aha!” said he. “They think tiic tide washes their sand castles away. I wonder what they would say if they knew that you brought them down to the bottom of the sea lo play with?” “Do you think they would mind?”

“I am sure they wouldn’t,” said Father Neptune, as he picked up the flag which had fallen from the tower of Golden Tip’s castle.