OUR STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 2, 27 August 1943, Page 6

OUR STORY

LITTLE CHI-LING CAVE THE BEST SHE HAD There seemed to be a package in everyone's hand as the children walked to school that morning. But then, it was Miss Collins' birthday, and of course everyone wanted, to bring a present to the teacher who was so kind to them all. Even Chi-Ling, the. little Chinese orphan who lived with the minister's family, was carrying something besides her school boo'ks.

"What have yon brought Miss Collins?" asked Beatrice kindly, aS the. Chinese girl came up to the group ot girls aylio were showing one another their gifts. "X brought something I've been Saving for a 'long lime.," smiled ChiLing, with a flash of white teeth. She proudly held, lip a Hat bundle of red tissue paper, "in my country red is for joy," she. said, patting the paper contentedly. "So I bring this to show our teacher that I wish her one year of happiness." "But—it's only a piece of paper!" gasped Katherinc Black. "You can't give hc.r that; it's no present at all." Chi-Ling looked, at. the giggling girls. The light faded from her eyes, her lips trembled slightly. "Then red isn't for joy in this country?" she asked in a shaky voice, hugging her paper closer to lier. A second later she walked off and sat down in an unhappy heap on the school steps. "Poor little Chi-Ling. She thought she was giving something line,,"' exclaimed. Beatrice, who suddenly felt very sorry for the Chinese girl. "She. was giving the best she. had." "Listen, Chi-Ling," Beatrice said to her, "my package, of liandker-. chiefs doesn't look a bit nice this way. How Avould you like, to wrap it. up in your red paper? Then it would look more like a gill. We can tell Miss Collins that it is from us both." Chi-Ling jumped to' her feet,' her black eyes bright once more. "Then red is for joy here, too,' she exclaimed ■delightfully. "Yes, indeed." agreed Beatrice, as her fingers fastened the red paper about the box.