THE DREAM SHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1614, 23 September 1916, Page 4

THE DREAM SHIP.

••everything- is very stupid and horrid, and nasty old Jane is worst of all,” declared Freda, with a pout. Cranny, who was very wise and kind, looked up from her knitting at. this sad remark.

“Dear dear. Why do yon speak so of -lane-?" she asked.

“She says blowing bubbles is messy, and spoils my clean frock;” Freda pouted afresh. “There isn’t one thing a little girl can do. 1 hale Jane, and J wish 1 had never been born,” Freda’s temper burst out afresh.

“You are mistaken, my dear,” said Grainiv’s kind, wise voice.

“There are heaps of things for little girls to do to make this sad old world move loving and kind. And L think—-yes, 1 really think if .1 were, you, J should begin with Jane."

Freda's blue eyes opened wide. “Ale!" she exclaimed in surprise. “But how can i help Jane?" Granny- smiled again. Happily Granny was a perfect dear, who never forgot what it fell like to he a lit I le girl. “Von must ask the fairies to show von," she advised.

Granny’s garden was fall of the most old-fashioned, sweet smelling Mowers, mid there was a low-sloping hank (hat ran right down to the river Mowing lazily along at the fool. There were worn stone steps dipping down into the river where the stalely swans would sometimes swim to he fed. Il was very warm in tin* garden; Freda was almost nodding as Granny's needles went click, click, elielc. “Bill il does look - the very place for haunts of fairies," murmured Freda sleepily. “Of course,’’ said a very small, sweet voice. “And you cannot think how glad we are to hear you say so, for truly we were heginiiing to think you didn’t believe in them voiirself."

The most beautiful swan Freda bad ever semi -in her life bad eome lazily to (he (del stone steps. But it was not llie sWati who spoke. Tile swan was simply drawing a lovely little golden barge, and on (he prow stood a very quaint fairy, guiding the swan with ribbons of bine silk. “.My name is Forty-winks," said the fairy, “and we have come to lake yon to Fairyland. Will you please step into the barge at once, and come with me and Golden Beak?”

Freda thought she bad never bad so delightful an invitation in all her life. She lost no time, but ran down flu* steps, and as Forty-winks guided Golden Beak close, she stepped boldly over ami took her seat upon a beautiful silk cushion in the barge.

“To the land of happy fairy elves,” commanded Forty-winks, and at once the swan sailed away over the. water. The river (lowed lazily along between green hanks, on which grew forget-me-nots and other lovely flowers. Soon Freda could sec the towers of an enchanted castle la the distance; then a shining bridge came in sight; and a landing stage, on which were crowded numbers of gay lit lie elves dressed in all the colours of the rainbow.

“'Tis Freda!” they all cried excitedly, while they crowded round Freda, anxious to help her |o laud.

“Now, what would you like best in ail the world?” (hey ,asked her. “It is the fairy babies’ holiday, and everybody must choose their [day.” “I’d like a great- big bowl of soapsuds to blow bubbles.”

“(’a pit it I!" they cried. “Soap bubbles are the most wonderful things in fairyland. You must eome along with us.”

They came to a smooth lawn, and there-sat the fairy babies all in a fairy ring. They were the plumpest and. sweetest little things, and as they laughed.and sang they were all busily blowing bubbles. “Blow bubbles, blow: and where* 'er you go, burst in pretty dreams and thoughts, whenever troubles show,” sang the fairy babies.

“Mots of mortals gef cheered up that way,.” said Forty-winks. “Even the babies are busily at work helping to make the world happier.”

“Oh!" said Freda. “1 do wish 1 could blow a pretty bubble and send nice thoughts lo Jane.” Fiirly-winks stopped strutting to stare a) her.

“'Why, I thought you considered June slupid .and horrid, and that you luled her, 1 ' lie sold. Freda turned rather red,

“That was before I canic lo fa Ireland, ’’ she said. “1 believe 1 pile Jane now, because 1 she is so crabbed and cross and has forgollen

what il feels like 1 to lie a little girl." “Oh! —oh!” said Fori y-winks. “That ean soon he set right. 1 see yon are learning - the lessons of fairyland. Oho, there! Tweeney and 'Piny, bring hi titer the soap bowl and let Freda blow."

Two plump fairy babies came hurrying along, and Freda took the little golden pipe they handed her. and dipping it in the lairy howl, blew a bubble.

It hung above Freda, glistening soapily, taking on most lovely changing colours iu (In* I airy sunlight. Then suddenly it began to change. “I do believe," cried Freda, amazed; “yes, it is actually changing into a ship! Is il a fairy ship?” she asked e.veiledlv.

"It is a dream ship,” said Fortywinks, in a low tone. “It is simplypacked with all sorts ol lovely dreams, and if you wish very, veryhard il will float away to Jane and drop a lew on her, making her dream lovely dreams of the time when she was a little girl. Shut your eyes light and wish." Freda hastily shut her eyes and began wishing.

“Wish! W 1 S H !” shouted Fortywinks.

Freda opened her eyes. She was quite alone, hack in Granny's garden, with the lazy old river lapping at the old stone steps, “swish, swish."

“It sounds just like Forty-winks," said Freda, laughing. She had quite lost her pouting face in fairyland. She Jumped up and ran into the house, where Jane was just selling the table for tea. Freda remembered the haliies in Fairyland helping to make (he world happier “Do let me help yon, dear Jane," she begged. Jane smiled, and drawing Freda to the scullery window ledge, showed her a nice blue howl, all tilled ready for bubble blowing.

“Thai is for a nice, helpful little girl." she said. “Having you in the house lias made me remember the time when I was a little girl.”

Freda bugged Jane, and they exchanged a happy kiss.

Granny saw it, and looked inquiring, with her wise old smile.

“It’s Forty-winks and Golden .Beak,” said Freda mysteriously. They showed me (he fairy babies and sent the dream ship to Jane." But Granny was not at all puzzled. "Ah, yes," she said nnderstandingly. “It is always a good thing to make friends with 1 lie fairies, Freda mine.”