OUR STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 49, 19 February 1943, Page 6

OUR STORY

DAVID'S PARTY It was David's third birthday—at least, Bett3 r , his little mistress, said it was* his third birthday, although no one else knew how old he was, Betty decided that he should have a birlthday party. David did. not want a party. "What's the good of a party?" he thought; "if- I knew any other cats, it might be amusing." But once Betty made up her mind about anything, it was no good David trying to geft: out-of it. "It is a pity David," said Betty, we don't know another cat to ask, for I am sure you would rather have a cat. than Mrs Briggs.' dog Blinkie.'' "Oh yes-es-ess!" mewed David. Hehated Blinkie. "Well, then,'' said Betty, "we'll . have to have it by ourselves, and make it,he best of it. Cheer up, David, and pretend 3-011 like it, even if A r ou don't.'' David yawned and settled down for another nap, while Bett3 r went to see if Mother would give her cream for David instead of milk, as it was his birthda3 r . The rain was coming down very ha'-d indeed; it beat against the nursery window, and David thought how snug and warm it was inside. Then Bdtty and her mother came In witih the jug of cream. "jD'h, Betty! How stuffy it is in here!'' said her mother. "You must have the. window open a little,'' and She 1 raised it at the bottom, a fqw inches. "Bother!'' thought David. "Nogood will come of opening that window. How I halte draughts!" Some good did come of it, though. A poor little thin white cat, drenched with rain, looking through the windoAV, saw a briglit fire burning in the grate,, and longed to be there; and' although she saw David 1 sitting on the rug, she plucked up courage, squeezed herself through the open window, and dropped to the floor. May, who had been setting the tea, looked around suddenly. "Oh, David! See what's happened!" she cried. "Here's a visitor. Now wc can have a real parjfV. She picked up the poor little wetcat, and placed her 011 the hearthrug with David. "Do be nice to her, David!" she said. "I don't suppose the poor little. thing has a home.'' David took a look at, the little cat, and decided that lie would be nice to her. and he was. Betty gave her a red ribbon bow for the party, and David let her share his cream. He. lapped up more than she did, but as lie was much bigger, lie thought that was only fair, and she did not reall3 r mind. Betty ca'.led the little cat "The Whi'le Princess." She staved with them for always, and David became very fond of her. As Betty said, an only cat could not have a nicer present than o plnj'inatc for his birthday.