NIMBLE GNOME

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

NIMBLE GNOME

THE MAGIC SPELL. One day a little gnome was walking through the forest when an old witch --'Suddenly appeared. “Good morning, Nimble Toes,” said she. Now, Nimble was a very naughty gnome. He just poked out his tongue. The witch was VERY angry. “How DARE you do such a thing,” screamed the witch. “You shall be a frog until somebody has you as a pet.” Nimble trembled. Next moment he found himself in a beautiful garden where the sun was streaming down. There were beautiful ponds with ferns hanging over them. Nimble hopped over to the biggest pond. Then he dived into the cool water. Then, after Nimble had been looking around, he suddenly saw a little green object in the far corner of the pond. Could it be a frog? Nimble went over to it. Yes, it was one. “How GLAD I am to see you,” said Little Frog. “Are you lonely?” asked Nimble. “Yes,” was the reply. “Have you any brothers or sisters?” asked Nimble. “Yes,” said Little, “I have one brother but no sisters, and my brother said he does not like to play with me because I am a girl.” After saying this Little Frog sat down and wept. “Never mind,” said Nimble, “let’s be playmates.” They began to play all kinds of games. At last Nimble got tired of playing and said, “I am going to the top of the water.” Up went Nimble. Now there were two boys creeping toward the pond. Nimble did not see them. He was croaking away when a net was put over him. He tried to get free, but could not. “We have one,” cried a tall young fellow. “Give it to me, please,” said the other. The boy who had caught it said him, “Your Majesty, here it is.” “Thank you. I will keep it as a pet.” said the prince. ■ That night Nimble was put in a basin of water. When twelve struck Nimble woke to find himself as a gnome again. All that he had done came back to him. He flew as quickly as he could back to fairyland. All the fairies, gnomes, goblins and elves flocked all round him. “Where have you been?” they all cried. “I will tell you,” he said, shamefully, and began his tale. —Original, by Grace Woodley (aged 10), Featherston.