Children's Corner

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 5, 26 June 1930, Page 4

Children's Corner

"THEBEWARD."

(Contributed by D.8.)

Edna was a very little girl, and being only a very little' girl—just four years old—she was rather afraid* of the dark. One night Mummy had been reading her a story about the helpful elephant out of the '' Hutt News,'' and Edna fell asleep, dreaming of elephants with big feet and long trunks. Seeing that her little girl was uslecp, . Mummy turned out the light and tip-toed out of the room. No sooner had she reached the bottom of the stairs when Edna awoke, and finding 'the room in darkness, began to cry and called' to Mummy to come upstairs again; but Mummy was busy in the kitchen where she was making cakes in readiness for a little party which-EcLna was to give to some of her little play-mates the next day. Edna called loudly, but Mummy was beating eggs and did not hear hei* cries, so Edna lay still and looked at the moon shining through the window. She tried hard to be brave but she could not help sobbing now and then. Suddenly a voice said: "Here, what's this nonsence; crying for the moon, indeed!" "Please," said Edna, "I wasn't crying for the moon, I was crying because it's daVk. Who are you, and where are you? I can't see you." ' * No, only brave children can :see me. Will you be brave and promise me not to cry in the dark any more? Then you shall see me.'V "Y-yes," stammered Edna. .*' Alright, begin now: wipe your •eyes; then sit up and look on the window ledge." Edna obeyed and sat up. On the window ledge sat a dear little elf, dressed in a green suit. "Oh!" gasped Edna. "That's better," said the little visitor. "I don'j like to see little girls crying; but I have no time to waste. I must give you, my message and be oft* 7 because.l have some more children to visit tonight." "Have you really a message for me?" said Edna. \" Yes," said the elf. "The Queen of the- Fairies sent me to tell you that if you will try to be brave, and not cry in the dark/ she will send you a lovely dream every night as a reward. I knew you wer^ not crying for the moon but I asked you that as-1 wanted to see if you were brave enough' to confess that you were crying because of the dark. —Now, goodnight little one:" And before Edna could thank the'little fellow he was gone. The next njght when Edna's^ Mummy tucked her in the little girl said:'' Pu,t out the light please Mummy, I'd like to go to sleep in the dark." .Mummy kissed her and said she was a brave little girl and Edna fell asleep thinking of the Fairy Queen's promise, which she kept.