OUR STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 53, 15 May 1942, Page 6

OUR STORY

THE ROYAL SNEEZES The High Chamberlain of the Royal Court of King James in the kingdom of Mxultlleton, came leaping down the stars two at a time. He rushed into the throne room and cried excitedly, "Your most Ro3'al Majesty, Her Royal Highness, Princess Rosalie, has sneezed two times. To-daj 7 - is Thursday,, her lucky day." "Call the Royal Magician," ordered the; King. Presently a bearded old man entered the throne room and was announced as "The Rcyali Magician." He was dressed in a long, flowing robe and carried a huge book containing many mysterious .secrets. "You need me," he asked, in a wheezy voice. "Yes, yes," said the King impatiently. "Tier Royal Highness, Princess Rosalie, sneezed twice this morning, and to-day is her lucky dav. What does it mean?"

The Royal Magician seated himself audi began to search through his magic book. The Royal Magician seated himsc!:f and began to chant: " 'One sneeze a -wish, "Two sneezes a kiss.' " "A kiss" exclaimed the King and Queen in unison and stared at each .other. The King began to .say something but three enormous sneezes interrupted him. Again the Royal Magician began to cliajit: " 'One sneeze a wish, 'Two sneezes a kiss, 'Three sneezes a letter.' " "A letter" cried the King. "It would probably be a bill from the gas company asking me to pay up." Turning to the Queen he said: "ReaMy, my dear, I thing the gas is being Avastcd in the palace." At that moment a courtier entered the throne room carrying on a silver tray a letter. "A letter. Your Majesty," he announced.

"You're sure it's a letter, not a bill," said His Majesty cautiously. "'Yes, Your Majesty, it's got a penny stamp en it, not a ha'penny one." The King snatched up the letter and, .without bothering to ask someone to borrow a knife from the kitchen, tore it open. He rapid!}' perused the contents, then announced. "His Royal Highness, Prince Nathaniel, Avill be calling en us for afternoon tea, to-morrow." "Goodness." cried the Queen, "ivVi the pantry maid to pe'.ish the silver and teAUthe Court dressmaker to make a new froek I'm- Prin-jcss Rosalie iukP it m;.:--:I b.. rene'y to-mo;--' row." "Really, my dear," said the King "we must economise. A new dress for Princess Rosalie! She has too many now." "Economise!" shrieked the Queen with, anger. "Economise, when there is a Royal Prince coming to tea." "Oh, alright," answered the King meekly. The Queen bustled away leaving the King moodily thinking. Suddenly he .brightened up and murmured. "P'raps he'll marry her." At Hi auarter to the next afternoon, Princess K')snl!e came down the stairs, looking a, dream in heir new frock - The Queen bustled around like an old hen seeing if everything was in order.

On the stroke of four, the footman announced, "His Royal Highness, Knight of This, That and T'other, Prince Nathaniel Archibald; Percw, son of King Andrew of Mumba." The Prince entered the throne room, the King gasped, the Queen gasped, the Princess gasped and the servants gasped. "He's forty if he's a day," whispered the King. "His hair is going grey," Avhispered the Queen. "He's ugl|y and fat," whispered the Princess. Then she sneezed. All Choo! Ah Choo! Ah Ghoo! AHCHOO! ! "What does that mean?" cried the King, "four sneezes.'' "A cold," said Prince Nathaniel, and he Avas right!