THE HUNT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 20

THE HUNT

(Original, by "Pixie Piper," 12.) There was-held a great gathering of birds and fairy folk hi. ■ Fairyland. Evcryono appeared excited, and? every, one was chattering. Then, Tommy; Thrush mounted an old tree-stump and called "Silence!'? Immediately. the noiso censed ! and Tommy Thrush..,'continued'speaking in a very superior man* ner.. ■ ...... "Good people/ ho began, "you.have been called hero to see if we caii find the baby Spring. She has mysteriously disappeared, and the people of the earth are waiting for her, but we cannot find, her. Mr. Eagle, have you seen her?"! ' "Nq. My subjects have- been all over; the world, but have not seen, her, "re* plied Mr. Eagle. ' "■.'. "Butterflies, havo you seen her!'* asked Mr. Thrush. "No. Wo have asked the flowers and" bees, but they have not seen he'K"' "Oh, dear! Everyone, go and SCO if you can find Spring," said Tommy; Thrush. Everyone hurried away to join in the hunt, but ono littlo fairy stayed by herself and thought, "Wouldn't it. bo lovely if I found Spring!"-.and flew away. On she flew, asking the flowers, trees, and insects, but they only shook their heads and said they did not know. At last, Fairy Greycyea gave it up in despair, and sank sobbing on to a desolate mound of cool green grass. Suddenly she felt something fall on her hand, and, on looking, saw a ladybird sitting down. Fairy Greyeyes sighed, and said: "Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, no one can help me, so leave me a,loue." "Not until I hoar why you are sad," said the ladybird, shaking her head. "Well, if you must know," said Fairy Greyeyes, "Spring is lost, and no ono can find her." Then the ladybird began jumping up and down, and cried excitedly: "I know, I know! Come with me!" Fairy Greyeyes jumped up and ran along With tho ladybird in her hand. "There she .is!" said the ladybird, and she pointed to a beautiful child kneeling down by a bed of bulbs, helping the baby shoots to push their way; through the earth. There wero great rejoicings when Spring eamo back, and sho went tt» earth to givo mortals plenty of sunshine and happiness to make up for herj lateness,