Peter Pan's Christmas Letter

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

Peter Pan's Christmas Letter

DEAR GIRLS AND BOYS, Such a lovely “Christmassy” atmosphere prevails in the office these days for there are gay decorations everywhere, although Peter finds it hard to believe that another 365 days have slipped past and have become lost in the days of Once-upon-artime. The Sunshine Girl and the Wendy Person have been looking very bright and happy as they bustle about with their arms laden with colourful and interesting parcels, ranging from tiny flat ones to large bulky ones that bulge in the most unexpected places. And as Peter watched the Sunshine Girl stowing her precious bundles away—well out of the reach of those mischievous sprites, the Tivins, who always insist on opening their parcels as soon as they get them—he thought of a lovely little verse he had once read : It does not take expensive things True gladness to impart, And gifts of gold at Christmastide, To make a happy heart. A gift sent with a wish sincere Is worth its weight in gold. ’Tis not the gift, but how it’s sent, Brings happiness untold. And Peter thought how true those few lines were for a bright smile and a merry greeting will bring more pleasure than an expensive gift bought in thoughtless haste. And now the school days are over once more and the Holiday Ship is arsail upon the blue seas of Adventure, heading for the distant horizon, and Peter hopes that there will be many sunny hours and jolly times ahead for each one of you. For some, these weeks on board the Holiday Ship will be the very last and their schooldays will be happy memories, and for the tiny tots it means that Schooldays are lying just around the corner and soon, when the Holiday Ship has completed her voyage, the clanging of the bell will call them to join the jolly throng on its way to school. For those of you who are setting sail upon different seas, Peter hopes that there will be many happy voyages ahead and smooth, Smooth sailing for each and every one of you. Another year is drawing to a close—a year that has been brimful of momentous days—days that will pass down in history—for they have brought chaos and war to the world, but Peter hopes that there will be peace and happiness ahead for every one of us. Dark days may lie ahead of you little people, when the golden promises of the new year will be hidden by black clouds, but always remember that even the blackest of clouds have their silver lining and so do try very hard to greet each day with a cheery smile. As for the weeks that have slipped off the calendar, they have been such jolly ones for the Circle People, for through the pages of those fat, interesting letters which have poured into Peter’s office throughout the year, the Circle People have had a peep into the lives of all the little members and they feel that they have made lots and lots of lovely new friends. As for Mr Mailbag, it has been a very exciting year for him for he has looked fatter and rosier than ever before, and he now lies chuckling in his corner as he thinks of all the letters which the new year will bring forth. Peter has been spending so many hours in his garden these days for the flower people too seem to have prepared for the greatest of all festivals and are flaunting skirts of the richest shades imaginable and have scattered upon the wings of the Wind Child their very oun perfumes until the whole world seems to be scented and sweet. As Peter writes this letter to you the scent of his Madonna lilies is wafted through the open windoiv while in the velvety skies above the very first evening star is twinkling as if to say, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men,” and Peter knou's that one more day has gone and that Christmas morning is very, very close. And now lots and lots of love to you all little people, with the jolliest of Christmas wishes and the merriest of voyages w the blue seas of 1940. From your own, ~~ —-