PETER THE WHALER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 65, 11 August 1947, Page 6

PETER THE WHALER

What ho, what ho, ma hearties! Well here we are again all set for another trip on the “Good Endeavour.” My,‘how I wish I was aboard the Good Endeavour in this gale.-It is a wonderful feeling to be out on a ship in such weather as we have had lately. The wind whistling through the rigging, the blocks creaking under the strain and the salt spray flying over the 'decks and hitting you in the face. There was nothing I liked better when I was at sea than to stand at the Helm of a staunch ship like the Good Endeavour in such weather. Now it is only on a few occasions that I venture out on her. You will see the results of the competition *in and also a competition for next week. Cheerios for now, P.T.W. * OUR STORY THE ROYAL SNEEZES The High Chamberlain of the High Court of King James in the kingdom of Muddleton, came leaping down the stars two at a time. He rushed into the throne room and cried excitedly, “Your most Royal Majesty, Her Royal Highness, Princess Rosalie, has sneezed two times. Today is Thursday, her lucky day.” “Call the Royal Magician,” ordered the King. Presently a bearded old man entered the throne room and was announced as “The Royal Magician.” He was dressed" in a long, flowing robe and carried a huge book containing many mysterious secrets. “You need me,” he asked, in a wheezy voice. “Yes, yes,” said the King impatiently. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Rosalie, sneezed twice this morning, and today is her lucky day. What does it mean?” The Royal Magician seated himself and began to search through his magic book.

The Royal Magician seated himself and began to chant: “ ‘One sneeze a wish, ‘Two sneezes a kiss’.” ‘A kiss,” exclaimed the King and Queen in unison and stared at each other. The King began to say something but three enormous sneezes interrupted him. Again the Royal Magician began to chant: “ ‘One sneeze a wish, ‘Two sneezes a kiss, ‘Three sneezes a letter’.” “A letter,” cried the King. “It would probably be a bill from the gas company asking me to pay up.” Turning to the Queen he said : “Really, my dear, I think the gas is being wasted in the palace.” At that moment a courtier entered the throne room carrying on a silver tray a letter. “A letter, Your Majesty,” he announced. “You’re sure it’s a letter, not a bill,” said His Majesty cautiously. “Yes, Your Majesty, it’s got a penny stamp on it, not a ha’penny one.”

The King snatched up the letter and, without bothering to ask someone to borrow a knife from the kitchen, tore it open. He rapidly perused the contents, theh announced, “His Royal Highness, Prince Nathaniel, will be calling on us for afternoon tea, tomorrow.” “Goodness,” cried the Queen, “tell the pantry maid to polish the silver and tell the Court dressmaker to make a new frock for Princess Rosalie and it .must be ready tomorrow.”

“Really, my dear,”* said the King reprovingly, “we must economise. A new dress for Princess Rosalie! She has too many now.” “Economise!” shrieked the Queen with anger. ‘Economise, when there is a Royal prince coming to tea.” “Oh, all right,” answered the King meekly. The Queen bustled away leaving the King moodily thinking. Suddenly he brightened up and murmured, “P’raps he’ll marry her.” At a quarter to four the next afternoon, Princess Rosalie came down the stairs, looking a dream in her new frock.

The Queen bustled around like an old hen seeing if everything was in order.

On the stroke of four, the footman announced, “His Royal Highness, Knight of This, That and T’other, Prince Nathaniel Archibald Percy, son of King Andrew of Mumba.”

The Prince entered the throne room, the King gasped, the Queen gasped, the Princess gasped and the servants gasped.

“He’s forty if he’s a day,” whispered the King. “His hair is going grey,” whispered the Queen. 1 “He’s ugly and fat,” whispered the Princess. Then she At

Choo! Ah Choo! Ah Choo! AHCHOO!! “What does that mean?” cried the King, “four sneezes.” \ ‘A cold,” said Prince Nathaniel, and he was right! COMPETITION I was very disappointed at the small number of entries in our last competition. I have awarded the free picture ticket to Margaret Mahy and her story will appear next week. Congratulations lass! NEXT WEEK’S COMPETITION Have you ever sent a telegram? Well here is your chance. Just sit down and write out a telegram containing ten words. But wait a minute! AH the words must begin with the letter A. Send in your entries by Friday please. Free picture tickets will be awarded to the senders of the two best entries.