SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 32, 14 December 1945, Page 11 (Supplement)

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

r-HEER lone and loud for the coming festive season ma Hearties!! Here we are again nit at the front door „f dear old Christmas time. What fun and happiness there .s .n r t eve. one tl" wiTr'Tths. Heigh-ho at is£.ljr and b^rt scvsrr ns 1,,.. d™. S™. .1 * »• *•* f-. -J b..t o» . «».»! «~. M why we can't get along eas.ly, but most o „f good exercises and accomp to a „ others in the sea ", P ,if U I. Once aglin jerkin, Butinsky, McDouga.l and . Join in wishing you .V happiness and A MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS. Your old Friend, PETER THE WHALER.

SAILORS IN HOSPITAL. SPECIAL Christmas greetings are extended to those members of the crew of the Good Endeavour who are at present in the Hospital. To all such sailors, I would like to say that although your's might perhaps seem an unfortunate lot— compelled to remain in bed throughout the fes tive season when others are out and about enjoying themselves —you also can share in the rejoicing. I have no doubt that Father Christmas will visit the Hospital, or will leave, o-ifts to be taken there, and'that there will be an a"M nd " ance of delicious and tasty things to eat. You will also find that far from being forgotten, you are uppermost vn e. minds of those to whom you are important and that t ey will Visit you, and keep alive the spirit of rejoicing *<ithin you. And so .sailors, in closing, let me wish you once again all possible happiness for Christmas and for New Year.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

THE LITTLE SPRIG OF HEATHER It was December, but a few weeks before Christmas. Every day the sun shone clown on the green fields and the white cliffs, and the sparkling sands with the little white topped waves rolling in from the deep blue ocean beyond, and every day seemed brighter and suianier than the one before, it. Every after- 1 noon after school, Mary,, Patsy and Billy would go to the top of the cliffs and lie down among the heather,' gazing up at the Weep blue sky or watching the tiny breakers rolling in on the beach below. They were very happy and carefree, for soon school would be finished for the year, and Christmas was very close. Now in among all the heather at the top of the cliffs, sheltered, by two large grey stones, grew a little wee sprig of liea'ther. But' the little sprig of heather was very unhappy.

Christmas was approaching — the children who visited the hill-top every afternoon talked of nothing else and besides, she often heart 1 , the'seagulls chattering among themr selves as they wheeled overhead and they knew all about it, but the wee sprig of heather did not share their happiness. She would never really kno\y the joy of the festive season, and none of the. other plants which grew near even bothered to ask her how shewwats t let alone wish her a Merry Christmas. And. the little wee sprig of heather squeezed a little wee tear from one of her tiny bell-like flowers. She was very unhappy. The next school broke up, and the three children were up at their usual playground at twe o'clock; The little sprig of heather craned her heck round the e<lge oi one of the rocks. there they were and they were talking about the cakes and puddings Mother was making for Christmas. How the} were going to enjoy them. Several days passed before tin

children came again to the cliff-top, and this time they sat down quite near to where the little sprig of heather was growing. She could hear them talking quite distinctly. "What a beautiful big cake Mother has made lis this Christmas" said Mary, "and how beautifully she's iced it." "It's a beauty all right./' agreed Patsy "but I think it. wants a sprig of something in the centre. It would look even better then. "1 know," said Billy suddenly, "let's put a sprig of heather on it." The other two children jumped to their feet. "Oh yes," they said. "That's a very good idea/' and they Started searching about for a piece. The little sprig of heather had been listening intently. How her; heart had jumped when they had mentioned heather. IE only they would take her. She held herself up very straight, and tried to look pretty enough to attract the children's attention. But it. was no use. Once Billy came very close to her, but he did not even see her in be;tween the two grey stones which crowded in. upon her, and he passed her by. How sad and disappointed she felt. Several tears dropped to the ground at her feet, and she stood there drooping. She was- not good enough to attract them. They did not want her: and the little sprig of heather sobbed, because she could not help it, and her head drooped. Suddenly she felt t\yo gentle fingers touching her stem. She had not seen the' children approaching. "Oh look," cried Patsy (the little sprig of heather knew her voice well). "Oli look,, here's a little wee sprig of heather. It's just what we want." The other two children came running up. "Oh yes/' they said "we'll take it -home with us now," and with that the little sprig of heather was lifted gently out of the and the children stood in a circle inspecting her. Oh how happy she felt. She was just what they wanted, and thej were to take her home. Hei little heart was thumping with plea,

sure. She was going to share in: their Christmas. ! It was Christmas Eve ? and the sideboard was packed with good things ready for the morrow. On top stood the cake, surrounded by mince pies tarts and many other delicacies < and standing erect in the centre of the cake was the little sprig of heather. And as she looked about her ? at the tired but happy faces of the children oil their Avay to bed, s,hie wished, with all her hearty that their's might be a very, very, merry Christmas.

CHRISTMAS FUN

FESTIVE JOKE BOX JIMMY'S CHRISTMAS PRAYER Dick and Jimmy were spending a few days, with their grandmother who spoils tliem. One night at prayers Jimmy repeated his petitions in a voice that could be heard a mile away. He was telling the Divine Providence what lie wanted for Christmas and his enthusiasm in the cause got' on his brother's nerves. "What are you praying lor Christmas so loudly for?" interrupted Dick. "The Lord isn't deaf." "No" whispered Jimmy, "but Grandma is !" SURPRISE FOR POSTY

It was Boxing Day. The postman ploughed his way through, the snow and bitter wind with an unusually large sack of letters on his back. He ascended the steps of a fashionable residence and ? in answer to his . ring, a man servant appeared. "Wait a moment, please," said the servant, as lie took the letters, "the mistress wishes to speak to you." The letter carrier's, eye brightened. It was the holiday season. He had done his duty with fidelity. In a few minutes a richly-attired lady appeared. "Are you the regular postman? "Yes madam." "And the afternoon and. evening?" Again lie assented eagerly. Then the lady said with a l'rown: "Well then it must have been you wlio broke our bell." i EAGER TO BEGIN A small boy on his way to spend Christmas holidays with a friend was continually asking the. guard if the train had arrived at Feilding. In fact he asked at every station, and the guard's temper was becoming a little short. At last the train actually dkl ar r rlve at Feilding. "Thank you," said the boy, with, out moving. "Well,/', said the guard, "aren't you going to get out?" "Oh no " said the boy. "I have a long way 'further to go, but mother told me to cat my sandwiches at Feilding." THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT A Scottish couple, on the eve of Christmas, were discussing the subject of a present for their son. After much careful thought father bit on an idea. "I know," he said. "D'ye rememr ber he was a good boy last year so we'bought him a balloon for Christ-j mas. Well he's been a good boy this year so I*think we'll blow it up for him.'" MISUNDERSTOOD Harry: "My sister's going to the Christmas fancy dress ball as Joan ; of Arc Maid or Orleans. Bob: "That's funny. My brother's ■ going as Noah's Ark, made of card-i - board."