The Perri-Werrie-Winkle People.

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 17

The Perri-Werrie-Winkle People.

The Perri-werrie-winkle people dwell in a part of Fairyland, which is, entirely their own. The fairies didn’t fancy living there, nor did the elves, the gnomes, that is the best part of them all, didn’t like it either, pixies wrinkled their scarlet noses, and said it was horrid and there wasnt enougn wood magic for any true-born dryad. The Perrle-werrie-winkle people didn't care if it was any of these things, for they are the kind of people who never say “don’t” or “can’t” although may it lie said they often say “won’t” for you see there’s no need; all Fairyland knows they do not and cannot, eUe they wouldn’t belong to the Perri-werrie-winkle tribe. Of course they’re very easy-going, the Perrie-werrle-winkle people. They all live in tiny, low houses with round roofs and plenty of windows, for they’re full of curiosity and relish the latest gossip. They think its very unnecessary to worry—if you’re fat (as most of them are) it makes you thin, and if you're thin it makes you fall away to a shadow. Troubles never fly iu their door. It would be easy enough to get in, as all the doors and windows are nearly always open, because the Perri-werrie-winkle people are dreadfully forgetful, but even if they did, nobody would take any notice of them—and if there’s anything a Trouble hates—lts to be ignored. Next time you try it. They’re never very certain (yes, I’m. still talking about the Perri-werrie-winkles. You could keep on talking about them till you came to a dead stop at forever, wherever its end may be, and still you wouldn’t have finished with all the don’t and can’ts). What I was going to say was they never know the difference between one day and another, because long ago they got them all mixed up, and it seems not one of them has had the patience to arrange them in their correct places since. They eat just whenever they feel hungry and go to bed whenever they are tired, to sleep as long as it pleases them, which Is often as much as a month at a time. However, despite this irregularity, they all heard about Christmas Day and 6 o as not to forget when it occurred, everyone of them tied a piece of cotton round his finger a certain number of times. Having heard a l the latest from fashionable circles (magic circles you know) in Fairyland, they prepared also to celebrate and spent much time attiring themseives in top hats and silk ties. Everyone knew about the wonderful cake that had been made for the fairies’ Christmas dinner treat. The Perri-werrle-winkles talked about it when tney had nothing else to talk about, when they went to bed or when they went visiting. It was truly a masterpiece of magic. In every slice there would be a lucky charm and there were dreams and wishes iu it as thick as currants or sultanas in a mortal’s cake. It was iced with white-as-sndw, and decorated with wild flowers from the meadow crystallised. It was as large as a wheel and as light as a bundle of feathers. Then suddenly—somebody stole it, spirited it away—or ate it For all the gaping gasping elf-folk could find to say was “The cake is lost! The cuke is lost!’ 1 None of the Perri-werrie-winkles laughed, although each of them has more than one funny bone. They were genuinely grieved, and for once the Fairy King consented to their assistance in the widely organised search, for there was only three days to Christmas. Every Perri-werrie-winkle knew that, as the piece of cotton on his finger was growing tighter and tighter. There never were so many Perri-werrie-winkles in the land before. All the ones which had been asleep for ages woke up and joined in. They explored the whole of Fairyland, they worked with zeal, with earnest intent, for mind you, in the brain of each Perri-werrie-winkle a plan had formed. If one of them was to find the lost cake they would hold it and demand of Fairyland that the shattered laws be overlooked, they would have to ii ake a very solemn bow, of course, and learn a whole lot more of new laws off by heart, but everything would come easy for they had all thought out splendid New Year resolutions which would no doubt be of immense value. As a matter of fact, they were of the opinion that if any of them were clever enough to discover the lost cake the king would make great overtures to them. In their search they showed no fear, climbed mountains as big as two mortals heads put together, and went into silent unknown valleys. Some of them were lost and never heard of a gain. Then on the last day came a thunderstorm when the sky poured tears and angry growls upon them all. There might not have been a fairy left if the Perri-werrie-winkles had not offered their hospitality and invited the king’s royal subjects to shelter in their buildings which stood quite near at hand. Would you believe it—the first house they entered, on its floor stood (lie giant Christmas cake. The poor Perri-werrie-winkles sobbed in dismay, for not a word would Fairyland believe of all they had to say. It’s iny' belief that some wicked elf with mischief in his soul will join the perri-werrie-winkles one day soon, with a very guilty conscience indeed—t.ie poor Perri-werrie-winkles who had gone to so much trouble. Most of (.hem had lost their hats and their ties were all back to front. Meantime if you should come upon them and the echo of "peace and goodwill” has not quite died out of your ears, remember whatever you do, however you feel, don’t say a word about Christmas (or the cake). It’s a subject they hardly ever care to think about. —By Ba thia H. R. Luttrell, Waimana,