Children's Corner

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 48, 8 May 1930, Page 4

Children's Corner

THE LITTLE GBEEN GOBUN.

One upon a time, the Pjuij King gave a great feast, to /wjhich he invited all his subjeets^^igh - .and poor, young and old. ■

The dressmakers and tailors worked day and night to get all the gay clothes finished jii ..tmie,^ their own as'well" asHheir eitstom-, ers\ for everyone Mtv#iat they ought to have^nj^eth|rig nev^ |or> this great occasion. Twinkle, the little Goblin of this story, was dressed froni top to toe in cloth of g01d.., and was so bright .and dazzling ..that even the King had to blink his eyes.

The feast went off perfectly, the King was delighted with his subjects, and,the subjects were delighted with the King.wßo had -entertained them so well. So each -mid everyone was happy and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. When the feast came to an end* they all returned to their homes all except Twinkle, who had a great desire to roam * arther afield, for there dwelt within him the .great-Spirit, of Adventure Bo instead of following the others he -set out in an opposite direction.

He had not gone far .when ; he came ilpon a little Fairy whose dress had caught on, the thorns '■oi a wild rose-bush, and he hurried to help her. ' ' Go gentley, little'goblin; ' 'she •said, "and do not tear ray gown, or I shall have to return home :and change, and that would make me late j'oi- the .Elder Mother's tea party." v : ; ( ;is_tlie Elder Mother?", asked Twinkle.

'' The Elder Mother is the F&h'y of the Elder Wees," repfred ; t;he Fairy, '•'and each year she gives a. party, and no one would miss it for the world. She., tejl us the most wonderful stories while ~we drink Elder tea, which is delicious once you get used to it." , ; By. this time Twinkle had disentangled her dress without the ■slightest rent, and bowing gracefully he said, "I hope you will have, a merry time. My best respects to the Elder Mother, and if she can spare me an invitation next year I should be most honoured."

"I will certainly ask lier." said the Fairy, shaking out her gown. Then taking a little brown berry from her bay of rose-leaves, she gave it to the Goblin. "When you are in any difficulty," >he said, <4hold it tightly and wish, and whatever you desire shall be granted on the instant. But wish wisely, and not in haste." The Goblin thanked her, and •each went their separate, ways, she to her parly and he to»seek adventures.

He danced merrily along, huniming a quaint little tune, and suddenly he saw a large basket of cherries on the ground before him. He sat down beside it and took one. My! it did taste good! He was about to pop another in his m6uth > when a little ■ man dressed all in red came from be-. . hind a tree and cried "Stop!" Twinkle , looked up in amazement.

"Who politely.

are you?"

asked

"I'm Dickie Red-cap," said the little man. : • r

'■'Really!" exclainied the Goblin, for he had never heard of rsuch a person before. "And what do you do in this wonderful ■world?" he asked.

. "Don't you know?" eriejl the little man in surprise. "Do you mean tpvtell me you don't know who I am?" .

Twinkle shook his head.

"Dear me!" He shook his head solemnly!. "Your education has 'been very sadly neglected. Why, I put the stones in the cherries."

"Do you really? V- cried the-Gob-lin. " How interesting! Will you show me how to do it?"

"Most certainly I will," was the reply. ''That is, when.l haye time. At present lam taking this basket of fr^it to the weeping Princess.

"What is she weeping for?" -asked Twinkle. "Is she very tinliappy?"

rels

"I suppose she must be,'.' said the little man, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Yon see, a wicked fairy enchanted her, so I suppose s)ie can -t help it,," .' •■Whatever fovVJ

- ;^:Slie^ as"s? joyous and lighthearted 4^ and glad, ex-plp^d^theliittfe-iijaii "I sups<fee:Ssf6 fai^y, was jealous, and co^^eWlT^ql ;"ht!r '■"'" weep until sonie.one'cbuifi-.-make her laugh

again." • ./rOh,; ; whivt, a .shame!' I;.'cried moii^aifrlyv *' '(And can' no one make ..her.laugh?" .

■;.' ' -,^dt' so v': :Dickie-;3^ecUeap shook' hisheajil.' "Many" have .tried ai^dvfailetl, and unless some, thirig'is ■ done- soon, she will be drowned in, her own tears." ■

"''Poor little Princess,V though Twinkle. "I. wish I eonld make her laugh."'. - ' --..,■

Then turning to Dickie, he said eoaxingly, ''Let me come yith you. I'll help you carry the basket of fruit." .' • ■ J

. :i Certainly''' Avas the reply. "But we'll sit and rest for a while

first."

They sat down under a shady tree,'and the little mail took two juicy apples from his pocket and gave one to" Twmkle,.and they sat and munched contentedly.

A: rabbit popped his head put of a hole, and seeing Twinkle in his lovely clothes he stared and stared, then raced off through the Forest to call his friends and neighbours to come and see the Sun which had fallen from the skiesj;;.and; was not so big after all. Before long i)ickieaiiid the Goblin themselves sitrrourideri by curious forest folk-^-Brownies, Pixies; Ha^es, Rabbits and Squir-

V'Whatever is the^matter that you: stare so hard?''asked Twinkle at last. ' ■.' , :

'■■; ''Br-er-er-are you the Suhf'' disked. r:a Squirrel, tiiiiidly> ■; ih' tfH£i-:.- h;a,-': ha!'' he\ laughed. could, Ibe the Sun-1 I'm not nearly iibig enough', anct if he came down on to the earth he would burn'it up," ' ''Pf^equrse, of course," said ;an old Hare; wisely. ' 'But why are you shining like,that? Are you a 'child of the Sun?" he asked. y

"'■' Not in the, sense you mean,'' replied Twinkle. Then he told them all about the feast, and explained why he was still in his golden suit* "I want to see the .world!" he cried.

"I'm afraid you won't have a very comfortable time whilst you wear those clothes," said the

Hare

"'Why not?"

"Oh! you attract far too much attention," was the reply.

"I'm afraid L can't help that," said Twinkle, "It's the only suit I've got at.present."

"Then make all haste, to get another,'" said a little Imp, "or you'll have no peace."

'' Thank you, I will, "he said, as the forest folk disappeared into the trees. *At that moment his hand touched the Wishing Berry in his pocket, and he danced with delight. Turning to Dickie Redcap, he asked what colour would ]>■'*? the; most serviceable.

. ijKekie thought for a moment.- '' I should say Forest.Green would ,suit you best," he. replied^

: "Goody ! Forest Green be it!" His fingers closed tightly over the berry and he. wished. "I wish to be Forest Green from top to toe," he cried. .'.... .

On the instant green he was, but oh! so green—-even his face and hands were bright green. He had forgotten to wish carefully, and shoiild have said, ' 'Except my face and hands."

Dickie Red-cap rolled over and over on the ground doubled up with laughter. ''Oh! oh! o-o-o-h!" he gurgled, "just look at you— oh! you do look queer!"

Twinkle looked at his green handstand dared not think what his face was like, "Oh! what shall I do?" he cried in dismay.-

"I'm afraid you'll have to put up with it now," replied the Cherry, man. "Come along, I must hurry,"

Picking up the basket . they trudged, along side by side, and to our Goblin's sorrow 'and dismay,- instead, of being 'attracted to him, all the forest folk ran away in fear—all except the Mischief Imps," who ran along : crying, "Green face! Green face! Who'll give a berry for a Green face?" Never before had they-met a Goblin witkh" a green -face.-

Feeling very miserable, he marched along with his, friend, and at length they came to a bea\i r tiful garden surrounded by a, high wall in which was a wonderful wrought iron gate

"We will: squeeze through the bars," said Dickie Red-cap. "I always enter that way." They. got through quite easily, arid darted in amongst the trees, keeping bri until they reached a great building, the Palace of the King. -

"If you climb to the top of the tree you will be able to see the Princess; it reaches to her window, ' * said Dickie.

Up went Twinkle to the top, and peeped into a magnificent room. Upon a couch by awindow lay a most beautiful maiden, and our Goblin gazed at her in Wonderment, for fears were

streaming1 clown her pale cheeks, and she made no effort to cheek them.

At that moment Dickie Red-cap joined him. "Isn't it too sad for words?" he.said.

: "I am going to try. to make her laugh,'' cried Twinkle.

'' Yon look funny enough to make* an earwig laugh,'' .said Dickie.. '' But where" so many have fail eel, you scarcely hope to succeed." .

"I can but try/ he replied, and Avithout more ado jumped on to tjie window-sill and began to jig and dance, thus attracting the attention of the little Princess, who was simply soaked in tears. She looked at hiiia in great amazement, and he continueu to jig and caper and do all the funny tricks he could think of. The Princess was so surprised she forgot Jto weep; then, as she raised herself to see him more-clearly, she. caught sightof his -funny little green face and a smile spread over her own.

: " Oh! you dear, quainlt littje creature!" she exclaimed, then laughed, and laughed so joyously that the birds stopped1 their twittering to listen to her.

At the sound, the King a/id all the- Courtiers and Ladies came running into the Chamber, and Twinkle was so scared that he darted into the tree, slithered to the ground and made off with all speed into the forest.' It was Dickie Red-cap who explained matters to the King, who sent soldiers and servants searching for Twinkle. But he hid under a big leaf in the forest, and they passed him by.

As night was falling he met a friendly Hare who invited him to a supper of fresh green lettuce and young carrots, which he '• enjoyed immensely. After they had eaten, he told the Hare all that had happened to him. .;'' I am glad that some good came of my foolishness," he said, when telling pf the weeping .....Princess, "but I don't want to go about with a face as green as gross all my life.V

■/■l- should think not indeed!" said the Hare.

"But what can I do?" exclaimed Twinkle.

"Try the Daffodil Fairy," advised the xxare. "She leaves! for Fairyland quite early in the morning. She may be able to help ycm if you are in time."

So very early, while the dew was fresh upon the grass, the Goblin set out. He foiind Daffodil Dell,, and was only just in time, for the Fairy was already in her chariot of Daffodils drawn by blue titSj and on the point of starting"

voice.

She listened carefully to ail he he had to tell. ' . -;™''

"Now, I wonder," she murmured, when he came to ail <end. '/There's no harm in trying, anyway. Go to the Wise Woman of

the Woods: she will surely know"

■"Where shall I find her?" he asked politely.

liln a-little wooden hut just beyond the waterfall," she replied, ms her /chariot rose into the-' air ancV sped on its way. :

Twinkle waved a farewell "to her ; and marked on. About noon he reached: the waterfall,' and, sure enough, :there was the wooden' hut ■ imt so small that he wondered how anyone could live in it. He walked boldly up to the door and gave a loud knock. The door immediately flew open and he walked in. ' ..-■' ■- ■■• ■■■ ■•.■■■.•. Y. . •

"Who k there?" called a s?ruff

Poor Twinkle began to quake. '' Only a little, Goblin,'' hereplied, and his voice sounded so small he wondered if lie had made himself heard.

"Gome right in and shut the door/ growled the voice.

He did so and found himself in 'a strange little room. From the rafters hung great bundles of herbs and berries; the floor was strewn with moss. But most strange of all were the walls, which were composed of trees of all kinds; and although the <kut was so tiny, yet irieoked Hke a vast forest, stretching- far a»d wide. .'■■-,■■.

Upon the stump of an old tree sat a stm.nge little woman: Mer face Was covered with, lines and wrinkles, and she looked Age itself. : She. was robed in, green, with a.--.bright red cloak upon ker shoulders, and on her head a. tall pointed hat from tinder which peeped locks of white hair. ■;...

"What dp you want with me?" she asked in a very rough, huSky voice, which made the Goblin feel quite nervotis. .

"OJiJ what a lovely room,',' he exclaimed. Then the old JWoman of the j Woods smiled upon him, and the \f lines and wrinkles disappeared, v She was beautiful to behold. •'You are a very wise Goblin," ■ she said gently.

''But it really is beautiful!''• he •cried. "And so great—and—yetso small!" he murniured.

/'The small things are very often the great ones if only we see them in the right way/ replied the Forest Mother^ -

Then he sat down and told her his story. When he had finishM, she thought for a moment. "So across the Waterfall to the Guessing Fairy, '■'. she said at last. "She is sitting upon a mushroom under the wild rose bush."

He thanked her heartily and left the hut. Having crossed the Waterfall, just as the Wise Woman' had told him he found the Guessmg Fairy, who was brushing her hair in the sunshine.

He told her his reason for seek- I ing her aid, and to his surprise I she suddenly burst into peals of I laughter and laughed and laugh- I ed until the forest rang. WTienß at. last slie controlled. herself she I turned to him with a beaming ■ -smile. ' ■ '' Pray excuse me, little Goblin I she said, "but it is really very ■ funny. Here have you been wan- I dering about with a face as green I as grass, and all the time you had I -the remedy with you." V I "I. do not understand,/' he ex- I claimed, looking very bewildered,~B "Why, you sweet little thing, I the Wishing Berry that the Fairy ■ gave you would put you right at ■ once. Oh! wish yourself as youß were, my Twinkle," and again the ■ peals of laughter rang out. H Grasping the Berry tightly in ■ ms hand he wished himself backH to himself again. On the instant H ihe appeared in his golden suit, H| andr—with a face no. longer green. The Fairy gazed at him inH amazement, ;' * Oh!'' she cried, "you are beautiful." "And you,'' replied Twinkle,^H with a bow "are Beauty's Queen."^H -And they fell in-love with eaeh^H other there and then, and before^O many days had passed were maffiH ried with great pomp and cer^^H mony.