THE PARCEL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 11, 28 March 1947, Page 5

THE PARCEL

ENGLISH APPRECIATION LINES FROM ‘PUNCH’ We quote the following lines from ‘Punch’ of January last which conveys something of the average English householder’s thrill of appreciation on the receipt of a parcel of foodstuffs from overseas. We trust that it will serve to stimulate the despatch of still more parcels to the Old Country.

Dear friend across the seas, I wonder if you know How perfectly you please, How gratefully we glow “A parcel! A parcel!” The day has a smile. “A 'knife! A knife!” No, wait for a while.

Let it lie on the table A joy in the mind. We look at the label; We cry, “How kind!” We feel and we guess: We wonder and mutter, “Cheese? Possibly—yes It couldn’t be butter.”

Then the great Opening. Children again, Slowly, slowly We all make plain: Magical packets, One by one, Lovingly wrapped, Gently undone.

Cake—powder—jellies— Unless I’m mistaken— It can’t be—it is

A morsel of bacon!

We give some away— You’re glad, I know— And always we say

“Its from So-and-So.”

The neighbours leave Like men with inherited wealth And we, at eve, We nibble your noble health. Think not our bellies Are the only affected parts: You help us to live, But we eat, as you give, With our hearts.

Yours is a gift of the spirit: Ours is a feast of goodwill— The friends of freedom One family still. A.P.H.