For the Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 7 March 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

For the Children.

THE SNOWBIRD’S STORY. Tho snowbirds told mo such a pretty 1 story the other day that 1 want all tho children to know it. -Perhaps you know, but I did not, that the Fairies go to sleep bolero tho first snowstorm comes, and sleep tho whole winter through, never waking until tho ice and snow melt, and the brooks begin to run and sing over the stones. Every year, as soon as the nuts tall and tho loaves turn to the beautiful goldens and crimsons, the King and Quoen of tho Fairies give a grand ball to which all their subjects are hidden. Tho birds told me as a groat secret that fireflies like the ballroom, and as- for tho supper and music they aro quite beyond our imagination. On tho night of tho hall, when the dancing is over -and supper ended-, the Km" jjjivos his hand to tho Queen, and their subjects follow them into the deep, sweet-smelling woods, lucked away boneath the soft mosses and ferns tlieso little people sleep the cold winter away. Now, last autumn, little I rincess Goklenheart.said to herself that she was not going away with tho others, but would stay wliero she was to see what snow and cold wore like, Sue was naughty and would not believe wliat the older people said about the cold and snow freezing her, anil, anyhow, it would bo a good joke to stay bohind to see for herself. If the older people wero-right sho would run -away to where tho otliors wore sleeping, for the road, was easy to find. These were the thoughts in her mind, hut not oven Queen Sunshino or Prince Bobolink know it. Tho night of tho, ball came, anil never did tho little folk enjoy themselves more. Such dancing, -such music, and such a supper ! At last oven tho youngest and merriest ol them was tired, and after all the dainties were oaten and tho toasts drunk 111 dew from acorn cups, tho King gavo his hand to tho Queen and, led tho way to the forest. All tho others followed- except Princess Goklenlieart, and sho hid behind a mushroom until every one had disappeared. Sho was very tired after dancing all tho evening, so wrapping herself in a large crimson maple loaf sho curled down under tho mushroom and closed her eyes. 1 . t i ‘ She slept ancl slept and slept. Just how long I cannot say, hut when sho awoko it was very cold and tho ground was covered with white stuff. Putting her little face out from tho sheltering mushroom sho found tho wlnto stuff still falling, and a big snowflake hit her little nose, making her shiver it was so cold. Sho got colder and colder, and frightened, too, for tho snow would soon cover her, and perhaps sho would never seo her mother again. I think little Fairies must bo very like our children, for now littlo Princess Goldenhoart bogan to cry and want her mother. Besides being cold sho was frightened at a big black crow that had just flown to tho tree above her head. The snowflakes fell faster and faster, and the Princess cried harder and harder, because sho was cold and frightened and sorry, when all at once she hoard tho sweetest voices just above her. Her name was spoken, so she stopped crying to listen. They were saying that tho Princess had'been naughty, and naughty people had to bo punished, but they thought she had suffered enough ; and, anyhow, if they left her tliero she would freeze, and that would never do. , , Goklenlieart braved the storm, and put her little face out from its shelter to see who was talking about her, to find tho branches above covered with snowbirds. While she was looking four of the birds flew down, and each one taking a corner of the ma--1 plo leaf in its bill flew away with the Princess straight to a woodpecker’s

nest--Yo-u know that woodpeckers build their nests ill a hollow tree, anil this ono being empty for the winter, the -snowbirds carried Goklenlieart to it, laying her on tho softest, warmest bed of moss and leaves, and- covered her over as tenderly -as her mother would. In- a very short time she was warm and- much happier, because t-liese new friends told her they would take her to her mother when olio snow was gone. As slio became warmer she bogan to

get very sleepy, so her rescuers wat on tho branches and sang sweet songs to -her until she was far in. dreamland. She lias been sleeping there all winter, hut very -soon now, when spring is here, the birds will carry, lier back to her mother. Now perhaps, if you children wr© good and have very bright eyes, this next summer you may see the little Princess playing with Prince Bobolink unde: the ferns and by the-hrook. Anyhow, it will do you no harm to look. —Newton Grey.

lullaby.

Sleep, baby, sleep 1 . Thy father watches his sheep : Tliy mother is shaking the dreamland

tree. And down comes a little dream on thee. vSleep, baby, -sleep 1

Sleep, baby, sleep ! The large stars are tlio sheep : The littlo stars are the lambs, I guess. And -the gentle moon is the shepherdess. -Sleep, baby, sleep !

Sleep, baby, -sleep I Our -Savior loves His sheep ; He is the Lamb of God on high, Who for our sakes came down to die Sleep, -baby, sleep 1