FARMYARD FUN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XXIV, 15 December 1900, Page 1143

FARMYARD FUN.

1. The farmyard was in a great state of excitement the other day, when the bills were posted u-p on the barn announcing a Bird Show. £lOO was offered for the finest bird, and every feathered creature felt confident of winning the prize. Mrs Turkey- at once began to comb out her feathers, while the two young Ducklings brought a can of hot water and a towel. Higgledy Porker, too. made himself useful with a brush. “Fancy that poor creature imagining she has a chance with me!” sneered vain Mr Peacock. as he surveyed himself in a looking-glass. “What ever is all this fuss about?” exclaimed Mr Dorking the Cock, as he strutted up and down the yard. “I can’t think why they are troubling themselves. I’m certain to carry off all the prizes.”

3. When the day of the show came round the Jungle 'boys carried their big bird in triumph to the Farmyard Show. There was weeping and wailing among the other birds when the first prize was given to the wonderfid Talking Parrot. “Hip! hip! hurrah!” screamed Jacko, inside the parrot-skin. “Pollywon the cup! Polly won the prize! Good old Polly! Pretty Poll!” “It’s a shame—that’s what I call it,” exclaimed Mr Peacock, wiping away some tears. “If strangers had not been allowed to compete I shoul I have* certainly won the prize.” Of course Mrs Turkey, and Mr Dorking the Cock, and all the rest of them sympathised with Mr Peacock —all except Mr Higgledy Porker, who said it served him right.

All About the Grand Bird Show.

2. The boys of the Jurgle School Were also very interested in that offer of a £lOO Prize. Jacko the Monkey had hit upon an idea which was like’y to provide them all with sweet-stuff for a year. Can you guess what ft was? Well, the boys had got held of a pantomime parrot’s dr,ss. and — But you just glance at the picture and see what they are doing. “I guess this parrot will rather startle those stuck-up farmyard birds!” chuckled Jumbo, as he. tied the feathers of the giant bird’s tail together with a bit of string. “Pretty Polly! Scratch his poll! Have a look at yourself in the glass, Jacko!” laughed Rhino.

J. Of course Jumbo and all the other boys were delighted with their success. After the show was over they fetched a cart and filled it with the prizes. “Oh. I say, don’t those farmyard people look angry ?” laughed Jumbo who pulled the cart. “I haven’t time to look at them.” replied Rhino; “all I can think about is the glorious feeds we shall lie able to have in i ur bedroom every night.” But those grand feeds didn’t come off. for the next morning Jumbo began to feel that they had done rather a sneakish thing in. cheating the farmyard birds out of their prizes, and he suggested to the others that they should return them. In the end they all decided that it would be dishonest to keep them, and so sent them back to the Farmyard. The Farmyard birds were so delighted to find that they had not lost the prizes, after all. that they sent the Jungle boys a large hamper of apples and pears as a token of good friendship. So you see the Jungle boys cam-.' off well, after all!