IF SUBBER CUBBS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 42, 23 January 1945, Page 6

IF SUBBER CUBBS

THE GROANS OF THE BRITONS

PLACATING JUPITER PLUVIOUS

( —Being the parable of the tribulations of the campers on the campus,—) "The long-awaited azure days of crystal clarity are here again. Tlius can I muse in Summer's rays and so win back my soul again." Bryon. And the chill blast of Winter blew back and forth and round and round, for indeed it was Winter. And the tribe that dwelt in Plenteous Bay wrapped their furs about thein shivered, and dreamed of the 'long-awaited' azure days of crystal clarity' that would most certainly be upon them within the next three or four moons. Alas, a terrible vengeance was to be wreaked upon them. Days passed even until the calander read that Spring was upon the face of the earth. But the people of Plenteous Bay knew it not. And these mortals turned their faces towards a heaven, which was dark as a tomb and comforted themselves with the thought that the feasts of Christmas and New Year would ap-* pease the Gods of Thunder and Foul Weather and let in upon the land the brilliance of the God Solar. But alas. The terrible vengeance was little more than started and on the days preceding the long awaited feasts the heavens opened and let drop pitclierful after pitcherful until the face of the earth was likened unto a lake. And the tribe which dweait in Plenteous Bay dared not to remove their Winter Woollies. And the arrival of the festive season did see a strange uplieavel in the country and tribes which dwelt in the Island of the North and all points surrounding took unto themselves their goloshes, folded their tents and pilgrimaged to Plenteous Bay where they foregathered at the oasis of Ohope. And they were campers. And great Avere the curses rained upon the Gods of Thunder and Foul Weather, and the tribe which dwelt in Plenteous Bay did lift their voices likewise. But the Gods of Thunder and Toul Weather heeded not the cries of the children of. Oliope and great was the consternation thereto. And after many days in leaky tents some gave up the ghosit and returned to the wilderness beyond, while others, surveyed their depleted larders and fell prone upon the earth weeping. And after a few minutes some did take their courage in both hands, and braving the storm arrived at the bazaar where * they said unto the bazaar-keeper:— "Yea Lord we would fain purchase cigarettes chocolates tinned fruit •» » j fi 1 ins for our camera machines and the substance called gasoline for our cigarette lighters," And the bazaar-keeper quoth nought, but indicated a notice which heralded bluntly 'Of- These We Have None.' And famine ruled tiie land. - And the pilgrims to the oasis of Ohope wept with remorse and returned with mournful countenance, to their tents and families. But great, was to lie the pleasure in the land when one morning (last Sunday to be exact) the God Solar shone forth in his brilliance and flooded Plenteous Bay and the oasis of Ohope with sunlight. And the campers crowed in their joy and each set about his respective task. Some took unto themselves abbreviated costumes and plunged into the sUrf becoming thoroughly saturated (a state which they had been carefully avoiding for days), others grasped their bacs in eagerness for the game called tennis, and others hung out to dry their dirty washing. And yet many more campers camphorated themselves against the piercing rays of the God Solar and lay sprawled about the campus taking the rays unto their respective systems. But towards the close of the alternoon the lunar luminal did come twixt the earth and the God Solar in a partial eclipse and the. Gods of Thunder and Foul Weather did snatch up the opportunity to once more rule tiie land. And the tribe which dwelt in Plenteous Bay and the. pilgrims tenting at the oasis of Ohope lamented . There was nought else to be done. Ami tiie days were dark upon the ear ll;.