THE FAIRY-RING

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 16

THE FAIRY-RING

My Dears,— Did any of you get sticky last week? I know three little people who will when the prizes arrive! This week there’s another competition—with three prizes. You’ll all have to hunt hard. And the Christmas gift directions are in, too, at least I hope so, but they keep on wriggling out, and it’s drawing so near Christmas that I am getting worried, because I know you’re all wanting to be busy making things. One of my fairies asks if my. big family doesn't keep me too busy, and how would I like to wash up for you all? Well, I like being busy, and the family can’t be too big, besides I’m only minding you for a time But I’ll just tell you this—THERE WOULDN’T BE ANY WASHING UP! We should live on bananas and oranges, and chocolates and nuts, and caramels, and sponge cake, and sugared peanuts- Oh, yes! And strawberries, and melons,, and ginger nuts, and lots of other things like biscuits, and brandysnaps, and Eskimo pies, and—and .... 1 Thera wouldn't ba any dishes to wash, but wa would have to wash ourselves a lot! Love from | | CHEERIEL. P.S.'—We’d have to do without fruit salads and “mrangs.” iiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiimiiniiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiimiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiii Family Mine, —• You have to GUESS the beach is there—somewhere under the people 1 And three rows of cars stretching as far as you can see guard asphalt tracks that lift and shimmer in the sun. Have you ever seen an asphalt path in the full h eat of the day shimmering like water? When I was tiny I used to be quite sure that it was water. I used to run forward to see. Bat the mysterious pool always lifted away as I approached-—disappeared into the air. O, the heat—the burning heat of the sand! You just have to wear sand shoes as you pick your way down between the picnics—being ever. so careful not to tread on the bananas or the baby or the butter. And the surf comes booming, battering in—a long green curve and a cloud of foam—strong and cool and good to fight. And when there’s no breath at all left in your body an enormous waVe will lift you and bring you shooting home—leave you in the little lacy ripples that sink again into the sand. Surfing’s a truly splendid fun! Yours, | FAIRIEL.

OUR RING TO-NIGHT Joan Urquhart, Karori.—lt was a splendid fancy dress Joan. The dearest little posy or flowers came here for me, and I’m looking at them now, the deep red rose looks so lovely among the purple pansies. Thank you, Joan! Was it another of my fairies with you? . .1 did think you’d be able to guess that last jumbled sweet right . . . because it was in your “budget.” Audrey Drummond, Daunevirke.—lt’s a dear little Daisy song, Audrey. Look out for it soon. Jean McQueen, Levin.—Four girls is a nice family, Jean, you’ll be able to have the greatest fun. I expect those twins are always up to some mischief. Are they very much alike? Tell us some more about them. I’ve put your name and Mary’s down in the Ring Birthday Book. J. Edwards, Cross Creek.—Yes, there was a misprint. I hope you have passed your exams, Joan. Dorothy Maslen. Wellington.—l love that Khandallah bush too. We’re lucky to have real bush so close to Wellington, aren’t we? There’s a Bush feeling in your little poem too. The “rata” bit is good. Bruce Marris, Kelburn.—You are a splendid supporter oF the Ring, Bruce, sending in something every week. Have you polished up the Pioneer yet? We’re just waiting for that! Did you do the Sheik too? I must do some sleuth work! Claudia Browne, Lyall Bay.—Getting up a school concert does take a lot of time, doesn’t it? Joy Cook, Hamua.—Yes, it is a very' big family, and keeps me busy all the time, but I like it! Fairiel is only having a holiday in Sydney. . . Yes, I’m glad I don’t have to wash up for you all as well as answering the letters and getting ready the competitions and the stories and games, and everything! I expect you’ll like the little poem this week! Vera Barringer, Wellington.—We didn’t miss your birthday, Vera, but the special good wish got left out. So all the fairies and elves wish it to you now! Watty Harris, Waipukurau.—l don’t believe I’ve ever known any one called “Long ladder” before! Names are awfully interesting things, and some of the plain English ones have surprising meanings. We might have to talk about them some day. Do you know I never see a ladder without wanting to climb up it! It would be very awkward if we ever met, wouldn’t it? Marjorie Dinnison, Brooklyn.—We’re so glad you liked the prize, Marjorie, Is it Joyce going to the Tech, next year? Harvey Grapes, Kaiwarra.—Wilton’s Bush is lovely, isn’t it? And that big fireplace is so jolly. I expect the billy boiled very quick. Joyce Dinnison, Brooklyn.—That Plunket party is going to be most ’iiormous fun! If I can squeeze in I’ll be there too, looking at you all, especially at that “Poker” in Granges and Lemons ! j G. M. Anyon, Brown Owl. Island Bay. ■ —When “The Fairies” song came from Christchurch it was quite wrong! But I am asking somewhere else now. A Fairy. Waitara.—l know there’s a little Fairy at AVaitara joining the King, but we can’t find her name. Tell us again, dear! You shall have a special welcome ! George Harris, AVaipukurau.—So glad you laugh at Cheeriel’s letters. A picnic in the rain can bo the greatest fun, can’t it? Lawry Woolcott, Kilbirnie.—lt’s going io be very jolly for you at Otaki, Lawry 1 Tell us about the biggest, fish when you have caught him. I think there aro lots of flounders nt Otaki, and it’s splashy work, but great fun, catching them. Jim Harris, AVaipukurau.—Poor Teddy. I hope his arm is right; do you keep it in a sling? Invalids ought to have very nice food, like the sugar Plum House last Saturday. . . Don’t get too fat. Jim! We wouldn’t like to lose vou out of the Fairy Ring. I shall feel quite nervous about Christmas time 1 Nolo Stanley, Levin.—To find a doll in your surprise packet was splendid. AVhnt is the song vou and ''■von other little girls are going te •Amy Joiiiison, Carter ton. —School

sports sound a ’citing time for your birthday, Amy, and we hope you’ll come out top of the class as well, Betty Simmis, Petone-—We’re sorry you’ve been ill, Betty. Did vou work too hard over making gems? . . It’s a jolly family, you are. and the soap baby will make another one, but easier for Mummy to manage ... I You are one of our best letter writers, little seven-years 1 Nellie Smith, Porirua.—You were “in the wars” Nellie with all those bumps and bruises. We’re glad you oan write - all the same even though you have to hold Fay on your knee! „ . . . T believe it would be a good plan to call all our “littlest” fairies our “fays.’’ Fay Colley.—lt must have been great fun coming to town. Next time you must teU us something you saw here. Nellie’s a dear, isn’t she? We’re so pleased you wrote to say you are “very glad to be a fairy.” June Barrett, Feathers ton.—The Ring was wondering where you had got .to, June 1 How exciting having a baby duck that’s black! Does he look like a little blob of ink among the yellow ones? I’ve heard of “black sheep” being naughty, but not a black duck. Peggy Cook, Island Bay.—Yes, Christmas is coming quite quickly. I’ve just seen Father Christmas in the street! You’ll be able to have lovely fun this year even if you are staying at home; especially if you are going to play tennis and have lots of swimming. Daddy was quite right about the competition. Joan Urquhart, Karori.—lt made me laugh, but its a bright idea to have a “Jumbled Food's Competition” some day. It would be difficult to post the winner some of each if there was fruit salad or custards, wouldn’t it? I’ve put the monograms away for later on. Thank you for the photograph, Joan. I’ve pinned it on the wall where I can see it when I read your letters. Connie Shortland, Matamau.—l wonder where that prize has got to, Connie? I think it must be exploring on its own. Let us know if it doesn’t come soon. That little bird must have been as surprised as you! What was it? Doris Golding, AVadestown.—l did not know there was anywhere to swim at AVadestown, it seems so high u>j in the air! “First in and first wet” is good. There were some hard words in the sweets, weren’t there ? Archie Taylor, Aratapu, Northern Wairoa,—That was a very wellfilled Christmas Day, Archie. It nearly made me feel as if I was at Aratapu too, with the birds and the lambs and the calves. I expect the bes/o time comes after tea, doesn’t it? AVe want you to be an “elf” and join in the fun we have every Saturday in our Fairy Ring. Tell us if there is any bush at Aratapu, or a trout stream, Vou may seo jour essay printed some day. Edna Taylor, Aratapu, Northern Wairoa.—Christmas Day on a farm sounds happy and busy Edna! I think it’s a very good idea to put a piece of cake out for Santa Claus —lie must get pretty hungry rushing about so fast and far. I’m going to put your name down in our Fairy Ring so you can be one of our fairies and join in the fun. There’s a mushroom stool waiting for you and you can sit on it under your umbrella. If you look in the part of the Children’s Page called “Our Creatures’ ” Corner, you’ll see something about Beauty, Billy and Tommy. Tell us what you’d like Santa Claus to bring you this Christmas?