FALLING LEAVES.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 25

FALLING LEAVES.

OUR RING "Mother Bear," Lower Hutt—Here's an elf with a magic, pencil. Two of your drawings will find corners in the Ring, dear. Keep on practising and you will be one of our best artists. "JVfary. Hi.," Pahlatua.—Printer Man thinks the penname: is too long, Mary-elf. You see, he's • a Very busy person and he likes, the shortest words best. What beautiful sketches. We both love your dog conjurer. "Littlest,' I.' Kelburn—l know the yery same church "with its adornment of red leaves. You are following in the footsteps of our verse- , "making "Pollyanna." Love from the Elf a^id myself. • "Till Chorus," Petone.—That small person seems to be having a happy time with the,1 birds and the flowers. 'Fraid your drawing can't go in tonight's Ring, pixie, but look j for it soon. ! "Spring Beauty," Island Bay.—Those are curios, truly. "Letterbox Elf" wants to know if thieves do truly live in nests and if that is why they're sometimes called gaolbirds. "hazelnut," Wadestown. —Slippers of every colour of the rainbow were there, I suppose. Did you-see them, being cut and sewn? We'd love to Know all about your visit.

"John R., I? Wadestown. —Your spring verses would be very good work even for an older poet than you, John. I shall keep them -carefully for spring days. "Sparkling Dewdrop," Thorndon.—A small silent-elf, this, but Letterbox Elf says you put all your spare words into letters . . . and we do. look forward to. them. "Gipsy Dancer," Thorndon.- —Did you have winged sandals to carry you" to Mercury Bay ... so far from the Ring it is. We're longing to hear more about it. "Fanny Fuchsia," Johnsonville. —Ever so long since we saw your cheery smile. LetterboxElf says a smile is the first thing he' notices when a pixie comes into the Ring. "Fireside Fairy," Kelburn.—To visit the Fairy Ring without a lift i 3 like storming a castle. What tricks the Mischief Sprites were playing that day. "Pom Pom," Island Bay.—The Elf and 1 are longing to see "The Water Fairies," wearing mother o' pearl tints. And the wee story is just as dainty.

"Mistress Margaret," Northland.—Welcome to you, smallest. We liked your crayon letter ever so ... and the bird drawings. "Jimmy Jay," Northland. —I'm glad you liked visiting the King, Daird. Come again, won't you. A big welcome from the King boys. "Ken D.," Hataitai.—The Elf and I thought It a splendid film too, tho' we nearly lost our breath altogether in the most exciting parts. "Jean D.," Hataitai. —We've just discovered how many little folk are looking forward to school again. Letterbox Elf says he thinks he'll go too. "Yellow Bud," City.—So many visitors have found their way to the Hing-abovc-the-Clty. We're going to feel very lonely next week. .Thank you for the pictures. "Blue Veil," City.—An exciting fishing expedition. Did you catch any fish? "The Drooping Fern" is a very good poem, dear. "Chris. .8.," Brooklyn.—You've had some good, Hard practice during the holidays, Chris. So your team should win its matches next term. "Yum-Yum," Ngalo.—You are becoming a clever cook, lass. The Elf says he would love to taste Butterfly Custard. "Princess Poopy," Brooklyn.—A beautiful scrapbdok, Pam! It wouldn't do for the birds to be too easily guessed, dear, for,then every pixie of the Ring would guess them. Your poems were just too late for Autumn Page. ■ "Nanna," City.—l'll try to find you the penname you want. elf. Some of our -Ring People have very Interesting letters from across the sea. "Robinetta," Hataitai.—Was the little jade and' silver box a tremendous surprise ? I : wonder if you made a speech when you presented it. "Orion." Hataitai.—Shopping's great fun, isn't it, 'specially when you're helping to choose a present. We're wondering if you are making a poem for the Birthday, or the Winter Ring. "Inquisitive," Kilblrnle.—They say pixie people -are-..the mosi : j;u£iDus of all but. perhaps that's : how they find so many good turns to do. Letterbox Elf, says he'll challenge you to a , question race. "Edna J.," City.—Perhaps it was "Goldenlocks" or "Periwinkle" . . .. or "Starry "' Eyes" suggests • Letterbox Elf, who saw a -• gleam of gold'under your cap. Please call ■■'■ again, fay.. ' "Orangeade," Khandallah.—lt was a splendid idea to bring your puzzle with;you, dear. I 'spect you're longing to hear th,e results. "Silver Star," Jonnsonville. —Yours must be a very jolly school as you're so pleased holidays are over. I 'spect you miss all your chums. Very good verse-waking, Kathleen. "Fairy Oall," City.—Did you find your answer quickly? I wonder if they'll guess your ■ secret penname. We'd like to see you in the Ring again soon. "Silverfish," City.—Another new mushroomowner. Are you going to be a storymaker, too? Happy days in the Ring, new elf. "Pat X.," City.—And have you remembered It ~ . , that . quicksilver name that slipped out of your memory box? "Lassie," kelburn.—So few of our storymakers produced a truly Autumn Story, but yours .'■ . Autumn peeped between the lines and . brought a breath of orchards and lush, wet grasses.

"Brown Owl," Wadestown. —Congratulations from the Elf and the King. We do like to . see our Bing members drawing their own Special Page headings and story illustrations. Your leaf-sweepers are jolly little fellows. "Daisy Dawn." Karori.—Your Autumn gipsy will delight the hearts of Ring people, s specially those who choose the richest colours in their paint-boxes for her picture. "Mustard." Khandallah. —Did you like our pictures and scrapbooks, pixiekin ? Such a busy place was the Ring that afternoon. "Pansy Pipkin," Northland.—"Belling the Cat" is a very good story, dear, but I think most pixie people hare read it before. What a lovely coloured drawing of your school! "Joybell," Plimmerton.—-The fernery sounds exactly the sort of place to find a pbcleperson. Are there any tiny ferns like green lace ... and emerald mosses? "Biddy," Miramar. —And didn't you like best of all feeding those cheerful imps, the monkeys? Lovely to hear that you're coming to town one day. We'll watch 1

TONIGHT "WELCOME TO . . ." "Fairy Faykin" (8) Petone. "Silverfish" (10) City. "Crystal Moon" (II) johnsonville. "Humpty-Dumpty" (8) Island Bay. "Fairy Doll" (II) City. "Inquisitive" (12) Kllblrnle. "Robinetta" (12) Hataitai. "John R." <IO) Wadestown. "Mistress Margaret" (3) Northland. "Jimmy Jay" (6) Northland. * * * "Southerly Buster," JohnsonviHe.—A grand Idea for making your own paper dolls. Perhaps other Ring people would like to make them, too. Your cousins must have enjoyed their j visits to the aerodrome and the Zoo. "Cowslip," City.—Two artistically arranged I scrapbooks from this mushroom. The Elf and I can see much thought and care has gone to make them. Our love to you. "Green Grass," Ngaio.—One of Printer Man's rarest smiles for your beautiful writing, Fay. You've had grand fun with "Aussi" and Peter and the pickles, haven't you? "Twilight Twinkletoes," Northland.—A bicycle for a birthday present! Lucky elf! Do you know how to mend a puncture? The Elf wants to hear about your rides.

IO«v

i "Bush Orchid." Belmont. —A lovely poem, pixie, but it arrived just too late to ■ welcome autumn. I'll keep it for another day. "Little Shadow," Karorl.—Hurrah for you, Dawn. The verses are splendid. Does the orange quill write well? "•* sounds just the thing for autumn letteit. "Sweet Agnes," Hataitai.—Exciting to see a real live kangaroo. I wonder how high he i can jump. Letterbox ; Elf and I are glad you like the story-book we chose for you. "Fairy Faykin," Petone.—Now you're in the magic circle, Shirley dear, and a proper member of the Ring. The poem you copied for me will fit into our next Sea Page. "Sunlight," Island Bay.—So Dr. Dolittle is a special friend of yours, too. Letterbox Elf was delighted to see your gay tartan skirt. He wants to know to which clan you belong. .o<rr>co<c^r^H)<rr^>co<c^>oo<rrr>oo<rr^po'

"Humpty-Dumpty," Island Bay.—Welcome to you, David. Are you going to make stories or drawings for the Ring? We'll look forward to your letters about school and hobbies. "Crystal Moon," Johnsonville, —A dainty fairy name, Joan . . ..as dainty as the wee house in your pencilled garden. Perhaps its name ■is "Moon Cottage." Is it? ■'Great Greenfeather," Johnsonville.—Such sweet border drawings to edge our Fairy Ring. The Elf chooses "Mushroomtown" as the very beat, and I like the dancing fairy. "Ao-te-aroa," Belmont.— lf. was a good idea to send a sketch of yourself receiving your book, darling. Now we know just how pleased you were, and we're very glad. "Cherryblossom," Broadway.—Which part of the world is your mushroom set in, elf kin 7 We thought it might be New York's big Broadway at first, 'cos Postie does spring surprises at times.

* ' ♦

AUTUMN BEAUTIES

(Original.)

The soft breeze of a lovely Autumn morning wakes us.. Soft dew still ties on the grass like sparkling diamonds. This is a season of many mists and dews, as the sun rises slowly In the sky behind a veil of beauty. Through it the morning light filters with a silver gleam, to touch the morning dews, with fairy fingers.

As the sun is about to set, the evening is lit by golden gleaming twilights, and the rich golden yellow of the harvest field is seen in all its beauty. The bees are very busy collecting honey.

The fruit trees also look beautiful with their boughs laden with fruit, with rosy red apples and the plump pears, full of juice, lying on the ground.

"GREEN GRASS* (II)

» •

A CHARM. Stand fast root, Bear well top, Pray God sends us ' A howling crop. Every twig, Apples big, Every bough Apples enow. Hats full, caps full. Full quarter sacks full. Holla, boys, holla! Huzzah!

(Original.) There's pattering in the gardens, There's pattering on the eaves; Falling, falling, everywhere, The tinted, Autumn leaves. An artist must arrange them. The russet, gold, and red, With just a touch of orange; And brown, where some are dead. For In the dainty showers, A-swirllng down so free, Are traced some lovely picture! By the artist of the tree. "SYDNEY DAMSEL." Lyall Bay. AUTUMN GOLD. The golden leaves are falling, ' From the fruit trees' feeble clutch, The golden apples calling For the pickers' golden touch.. The golden bud is breaking Of a golden petallcd flower, The autumn's gold is waking More golden every hour. The golden wheat is sighing From its weight of golden grain, The golden sun is dying, . To a silent gold refrain. AUTUMN, The cows are in the meadow. The hay lies thick: The apples are all ripe. You can have your pick. The leaves are red and gold. The sky is azure blue; Come, let us pick forget-me-not. All filled with hoary dew. The river's rippling o'er the stones. The trees are very tall; The merry children laugh and play, Here's welcome to the fall. —Unsigned. AUTUMN-TIDE. (For Autumn Page.) A myriad painted leaves, All crimson, gold, and brown, Are whirled around in coloured sheaves, Then come floating down. Autumn dances through the land, Her merry tresses flying. Enhancing the beauty she has planned, Before Winter Winds are sighing. Chrysanthemums are now in flower. Roses have fallen to the grass; Soon, .we know, our one bright hour Of sunshine now will pass. , PAT. DOBSON (14). Dannevirke.

THE AUTUMN FAIRY

(Original.)

Pam sat thinking, "If only I could see a fairy." Suddenly a tinkling voice said, "So you wish to see a fairy, do you? Well, you have your wish." ■Pam jumped with surprise. "Why, who are you?" "I am one of the Autumn fairies," replied the little creature. "We are painting the Autumn leaves."

Pam looked round her. The garden was transformed into a grove of trees, with elves and fairies busily painting the leaves with gold, brown, and red. "Would you judge our competition for us? We are giving a prize, for the best painted tree." Pam said, "I would love to." The ash and the chestnut were decidedly the best, but the ash-tree elf dropped a big splash of brown paint on his leaves, spoiling the whole effect. So the chestnut fairy got the prize, which was a big box of chocolates. Pam felt somebody shake her and say, "Hurry up, lazybones, or your tea will be cold."

Kelburn.

"FIRESIDE FAIRY" (9)

THE AUTUMN QUEEN'S

PALACE

(Original.)

The soft red leaves were falling gently as little Agatha sat in the shade of her favourite tree. But she was sad. For her father was going to cut down the tree, and the Autumn fairies would have no home.

Agatha was sure there were fairies, and she always left tiny pieces of cake on the leaves by the tree. As she sat there a tiny golden leaf sailed down, and on it was a merry little fairy. Agatha had always, wanted to meet a fairy, and she had imagined what to say, but she was speechless now.

"Good-day, Agatha," the young fairy said. "The Autumn Queen wishes to see you."

Agatha put her hand in the fairy's rather shyly, and soon they were racing across the grass. The fairy opened a tiny door in the massive trunk, and they slowly descended the oak stairs. Presently they entered a big ballroom. Thousands of tiny fairies were dancing, dressed in reddish-brown frocks with red-gold shoes on their tiny feet. In the middle sat the fairy Queen in her bright gold frock, with a necklace of deep red • berries. She had a brownish-red belt and a great red Autumn-leaf fan.

The Queen smiled brightly at her and said, "Little Agatha. I hope you will enjoy your evening, and perhaps you can suggest a new game for the fairies to play?" Little Agatha smiled, too. but then sighed. "I have bad news, dear Queen." she said. "My father is going to cnop this tree down, and 1 did not know how to warn you." The Queen's fairies had stopped dancing, and the Queen turned pale. "Is this, true?" she said. -"We have no time to pack." Agatha had decided on a plan. "Dear Queen I will plead with my father and tell him to chop it down next week."

"Thank you," said the Queen. Agatha had a merry evening, and when she left she was given a great big orangebrown leaf v.ith red marking on it as a gift. Next day her father woke up with a cold and decided to cut the tree down the next week. Agatha was very gleeful. She pressed her leaf in a' big book, and although she never saw the Queen again, she was sure it had not been a dream.

"MISCHIEVOUS" (11)

FLAGEOLET

A flageolet is a sweet-toned musical instrument of wood with a mouthpiece, and a tube in which finger-holes and keys are placed. It is an important musical instrument, and is said to have been invented in 1581. There is also a double flageolet, producing double' notes, and played by one mouth-piece.