Dot's Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24226, 19 February 1940, Page 13

Dot's Little Folk

THE WEEK’S POEM A rather melancholy little : poem for you this week, children, but one you will like if you have ever been unhappy and gone out Into the garden to get better again. It is curious how quickly a garden or a wood or a field makes one forget one’* troubles. All the person in our poem could remember after he had sat with his eyes fixed on the ground was the shape of the woodspurge: his sorrows were completely forgotten. DOT THE WOODSPURGE The wind flapped loose, the wind was still. Shaken out dead from tree and-: Hill. I had walked on at the wind’s will—--1 sit now, for. the wind was still. Between my knees my forehead My lips, drawn in, said not alas! My hair, was over in the grass, My naked ears heard the, day pass. My eyes.wvide open, had the' rUt>>, Of some ten yweeds to fix .upon; •, Amopg -those -few, out of the sun. The floWered., three ,CVPS 1$ oh*>f-. .. ■r.From perfect grief there need not be Wisdom or even memory: One thing then, learnt remains to me— The woodspufge has a cup of three. —Dante Gabriel Bossette, TO ALL Dear Little Folk,—As I sit writing this letter to you I»-think of you sitting at your School desks and writing or readying, too. Do you realise how fortunate you are? Because education is free, you are each able to have' the same chance in. life as everybody else, and when you leave school you can all start as equals. That may not seem very Important to you now, but it will when you are a little older; so. if I may give you a word of advice, it is to make the most of your schooldays and not waste time in them, so that you will be able to play your part when the after-school, race begins. What are you going to aim at in that ■ftar-school race? Some of you will want to be business men qnd women: some will go on to the university in order to train for a professional career: some will not go into the world at all, but will stay at home. But even more Important than what you will want to be will be what you are yourselves. In a race, not everyone can be first, though all the competitors may be of an. equal degree of fitness. The Important point is that the fitness of the competitors be of a high standard, so that the face can be a one. The way to be good competitors in me after-school race Is to do your best and waste no time while you are still at school. Do you know why? So that you can form a habit of working and playing with all your might and never being slack of lazy; The effort of tackling lessons you are not very good at, and of learning games you do not see much use in. will make you strong and clear-headed and sensible and equip you for tackling harder lessons and more difficult games when your schooldays are past. And health, clear seeing, and common sense are what make for good citizens—which is what each of you will want to be whether you are first or last in the afterschool race. Now here Is something of a more frivolous nature in case I have been too know that in the eighteenth century there were colours worn either only in the winter or only in the summer? Whereas. in general, light colours were worn during the summer, gold was worn only. In the winter, where its brilliance was said to correspond to that of ice; silver,’on the other hand, which was considered to give the effect or coolness, was particularly recommended for the not

The Influence of the court greatly determined the choice of colours When in France in the summer of 1775 Queen Marie Antoinette selected a brown taffeta, the king remarked that It was the same colour ai a flea. Flea-coloured stuffs immediately became the rage the various shades being known as fleas body, flea’s head,"’ or, ” flea’s legs. In other countries, too, eighteenth century writers refer to " flea-coloured coats.' A short time later Marie Antoinette selected a satin of an ashen colour, and the king’s brother, afterwards Louis XVIH, remarked that the colour was like the queen’s hair. Immediately the court began to dress in the new colour, hair of the queen.” and puce or flea-coloured material? went out of fashion.— Your loving DOT. LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK Motto; We write for the benefit ■■of others, not for ourselves. FIRST LETTERS Dear Dot.—May I join your happy band i of Little Folk? I have a little black pUppy, such a lovely little thing. Could you please give me a name for hinW SPANISH MAIDEN. (Alexandra).

[Certainly , you may join, Spanish Maiden. I hope , you will be a faithful Little Folk and write regularly. Call your puppy Blotto—DOT.]

•; '+ H- ' * . Dear Dot,—l would : J[}ke to join your happy 1 - band of Ljttli ■- Folk. I- am m Standard 111 at ,:i?c^pol,and Fofbury. I am nine years old. i,L am sure shall enjoy writing to you.LITTLE SIR ECHO (Dunedin). [I bm pleased to welcome you, Little Sir Echo, and am sure that I shall enjoy receiving regular letters from you. -DOT.] BEST LETTERS JUNIOR SECTION (14 years and under) Dear. Dot.—One Saturday we had our school picnic at Beach Street. Waikouaiti The train left Warrington at 10.30 a.m. When we arrived at Beach Street most of the boys and girls ran to the swings and roundabouts, but some of them went to the slide first. In the afternoon we ran races. I came third in my race, and I got a bag of marbles. After we had had all- the races we all got some fruit to eat. We had a lolly scramble too Some of the boys and girls went down for a swim. When we were all at the station a heavy shower of rain came on, I shall close, with love to all the Little Folk atid your own dear self NEMESIA (Otago) [What fun, Nemesial 1 am glad the day was fine enough for swimming. Could you make up a poem about running your race?—Dot.] * « V Dear Dot,—ln my second letter 1 was to tell you about our small farm, but seeing my holiday is fresh in my mind I shall tell you about it first. On January 5 I went to Waikouaiti, where I stayed with my aunt. Next day I continued my journey to Christchurch. I enjoyed my trip very much, because it was beside the sea. which I like. When we came to Oamaru the beach was crowded with children. I arrived at Christchurch about 5 o’clock, and was met by my aunt and cousin. I was staying at 15 Hlllier street. Spreydon. Christchurch was new to me. so I had much to see. The coloured

IneojCuretted ciulu 16,1886,

,;.y b y thie OTAGO WITNESS

Dor Invites letters of not more than 300 words In length from her young friends throughout the Dominion on any matters In which they are interested. New members must enclose their name and address These will not be published, and are for registration purposes only. Little Folh should write on one side of the paper only, and Ift ink. and should address their letters " DOT. care of Editor, Otago Daily Times.” Every teller musl stale the age of the writer for Dot’s private information Tire retiring kite is 21, after which Little Folk become Old Writers DOT’s'Little Folk’s Badge, with pin. for use as a brooch, la obtainable oft application to Dot. Price 2s 6d, In stamps or postal notes.

fountain was very pretty. One sunny morning five ,of us took the tramcar to New Brighton, which is nine miles out of Spreydon. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we would have liked to stay longer I also went to a little friend’s party one afternoon..' After a happy fortnight at Christchurch I left to stay at Waikoualti. I had lots of. fun with my cousins surfing and eelihg. After another happy fortnight I left to come home. One of my cousins stayed at our place to be company for my brother Best love, GOLDEN BELL (Middleman;!!)

[1 can hear about the farm next time. Golden Bell. I am glad you told me about your holiday. You did have a good one! What time did you go eeljng? —DOT.]

Dear Dot—Our school and Tahatlka School had their combined sixtieth Jubilee on the last Week-end in January. At one time there was only one school, and some of the pupils had many miles to go. When the school opened some of the children were 3J years old to make up the required number of pupils, One of the ladies who was at the jubilee had begun school at that age Such a crowd of ex-pupils came back for it., Some very old pupils answered the roll can. One old pupil-Who had been there on the opening day told us many things that happened when he was young For instance, people did not have the good roads that they have now. All the different decades had their pohtographs taken. The present pupils led the parade to the church, We all had a wonderful time at the picnic. I saw photographs taken-at the school long ago Their dresses were different from ours, and all the pupils wore long stockings. It has been very cold and wet lately, not at all good for harvesting The oats are colouring quickly. We cannot go to school at present, because vye have chicken-pox We had a good holiday at Kaka Point. I loved diving, through the breakers Love t 0 aU ‘ ROSE LEAF (Owaka Valley) [Some day you may attend a jubilee of your school, Rose Leaf, so be very observant now so that you will have something interesting to tell the children of that time. X hope the chicken-pox will soon be away.—DOT,]

Pfi Dear Dot,—l go to the Otago Girls' High School now. and I like it very much The main subjects that 1 take are Latin. French and mathematics There is a girl fh the’ same form as I who belongs to Dot’s Folk? I like reading that °tory about grandad and the boy and eirl that is published each week; but I think it would be rather impossible to do the things they do I shall leave you. now. Love to you an all the Little Folk'. RATA BLOSSOM (Dunedin). rv „„ arp ooine to a good school, Rata Blossomf re i wonder If ‘ov could tell me

a little more about It. What sort of fun do you have in the playground, for example?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—One Sunday afternoon a sailor showed us over the warship Leander. First he conducted us down the companion way and along a passage. Every few yards along the passage were water-tight doors, which are closed when the ship is in aOtion. We also saw many rifle racks. Most of the rifles had bayonets fixed to them. Once we passed a cupboard full of pistols and alongside of it was a cupboard full of keys. Once or twice we passed through a mess room, where sailors were sleeping on lockers, tables, and forms. On the roof we saw many white hats used in the tropjesi Over most of them were canvas coverings. We then Went through to the stokers’ room, where the sailor gave us afternoon tea. When we went to look at the guns I saw coloured lights on the mast and asked what they were for. I was told that they identified the ship at night. The two guns at the back were si* inch ones. We saw an officer raise the guns so that they could be used as anti-aircraft. From there we went to the - torpedoes. They were greased and were just ready to be ejected. 1 enjoyed the -visit to the ship very much. BLUE-EYED BOOKWORM (Kelso)

[You have described your visit well. Blue-eyed Bookworm. It is good to know that we have adequate defence in times as troublous as these.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—This week 1 shall tell you about my holiday in Queenstown. We left for Kingston on the 12.15 train, and arrived there about 3.30 p.m. Then we caught the boat, and had a very enjoyable trip on the lake to Queenstown. While I was there I climbed Queenstown Hill and took some photographs. One* other day we went to Mount Nicholas. As we were rounding the buoy we could see the glistening spray from the fountain in the park high above the trees. At Mount Nicholas we saw them shearing. After the sheep had been shorn the wool was spread out on long tables and sorted. Then it was taken to the scouring shed and washed in hot water and cleaned in cold water, It was then carried to the drying machine After that it was put into bales and pressed It was very interesting. Have you ever been to Queenstown, Dot? I started high school this vear, and I take the academic course, I think it is very interesting. Well, Dot, I think that is all I have to tell you at present, so I shall close, with love to the Little Folk and your own dear self. CHERRY BUD (Gore), (You apparently had good Weather for vour holiday, Cherry Bud, which would make your impression of Queenstown a very bright one. Would you like to live always beside that beautiful lake?—DOT] BEST LETTERS SENIOR SECTION (14 and under 21 years). Dear Dot,—l have found my way Into the country, and I like it very much, as it is such a change from the coast I

am enclosing my most recent effort in my adventure into the land of verse I hope you will like it.

PLANTATION T am in love with pines: dark pines that stand Like sentinels above the smiling land Of sunny green and gold in early spring, While merry breezes In their branches sing Slow songs of magic when the noon is high, Until the twilight drifts across the sky. Her drowsy wings a-droop on every hill, Veiling the land in slumber, grey and still: , . , j Yet, wakeful on the hills’ dark, jagged lines, Calm watchers stand; I am in love with pines. Kindest regards to yourself and ail the Little Folk, and my thanks to May Liliah for her very kind opinion of my verse. GREY-EYED BLONDE (Kurow). [1 might say “ Thank goodness you are not stereotyped,” Grey-eyed Blonde. There is a maturity about this verse of yours, and also an air of individuality. Keep on with the good work. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ * Dear Dot,—The days of summer are fast drawing to a close, and we can already notice the darkness coming earlier every evening. The anger of winter will soon be unleashed upon us, but we all hope for another month’s fine weather before that happens. Then suddenly spring comes, and another Christmas looms up before us I wonder What the world will be like then? There might be more chaos or perhaps peace. Whatever our opinions are. let us hope for the latter. Hitler, resembling Napoleon and even Caesar and Hannibal, apparently desires complete domination of the world He has already clasped his hands on Austria. Czechoslovakia, Danzig. and Poland, , and if we had not interfered what would have gone next? I shall close now. and will write again next week. Best of happiness to yourself and to all the Little Folk SOUTHERN CROSS (Dunedin)

(We must know what we want the world to be like if we would prevent another war after this one, Southern Cross. What do you think we ought to do in order to.have peace?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Already over one-twelfth of 1040 belongs' to the past, and now school has opened once again. Borne children are happy to be back at , school, and quite thrilled about their promotion to a new class, while others wish the holidays were longer still. One never forgets that first day at school, where everything seems so strange and new, I wonder how many shy and excited little ones throughout New Zealand this year have stepped into that big, new phase of life. There will also be many bigger ones commencing their secondary schooling, and others again who have shifted, attending new schools. It is always with a strange mixture of feelings that we enter into any new era of school life, yet it is surprising how quickly children become accustomed to it. Then in later years it is with great happiness that they attend the jubilee of their school and see again the familiar faces and surroundings of ' childhood days. Of all the social functions held I think a school jubilee is perhaps the most enjoyable for both young and old, especially the older ones. My two eldest brothers and I had the pleasure recently of attending the jubilee of a school where we went for about five years. The boys were feeling very energetic and cycled a distance of 40 miles. Although it was only six years since we left, and we had seen many of our schoolmates since, it seemed exciting to see them all together (at school) again. It was pleasing, besides being amusing, to . watch chums of long ago meeting one another. I bought two films for the occasion, intending to fill them up with snaps of friends, cousins, groups, teachers, and anything I thought would prove interesting. I was slightly disappointed to see only one of our teachers

present." However, 1 took a few on the opening day and was reserving the rest for the picnic day. but, perhaps you have guessed, it was dull and quite unsuitable for my fixed focus Brownie, with all its limitations, if I wished to obtain good results. I somewhat regretted that I had not used at least one film on the first day when it was bright and sunny. But they say it is a wise man who has his after thoughts first, so I just had to content myself with the few I fortunately did get to bring back memories of a very pleasant time. Kindest regards to all.

ALLY SLOPER’F NIECE (Southland) [I hope the photographs you did take are a success, Ally Sloper’s Niece. School jubilees are always interesting if one has enjoyed one’s schooldays and lived actively in them. —DOT:]

Dear Dot,—This week I had Intended telling you of a very enjoyable day I spent on the bay with One of a Mysterious Pair, but after listening to the garden expert’s talk over the radio I hkve changed my mind. There came to my mind a verse of a poem that I read somewhere once;— The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth. One is nearer God’s heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth 1 wonder what kind of a garden the Writer of that poem was thinking of. Not a small one such as We have round most of our homes to-day. but a really old-fashioned one With a sundial and bird bath, flowers growing in all kinds of unexpected places, a rockery, and big trees. This wafe the garden I pictured as I wrote the following lines called “ Evening.” When my dally toil Is ended And my cares are packed away. When the dusky cloak of evening Falls across the dying day, ( wander in my garden Where the night elves are at play. I love to hear the droning Of the distant hives of bees: I love to hear the sighing Of the gentle evening breeze, And to watch the moonlight dancing ’Midst the fern and flowers and trees. The stars are gaily twinkling In their domes up in the sky, And a wise old owl is sending forth His high and eerie cry, As I wander through my garden When the peace of night is nigh. MOTHER’S CHATTERBOX (Timaru) [I shall be able to hear about the day at the bay later on. Mother’s Chatterbox. The radio talk must have been an inspiring one when it caused you to write three such pleasing garden verses.—DOT.] * V V Dear Dot,—At 10. o’clock Mr G. Clark opened the evening’s entertainment with a brief speech welcoming us on our return to the district and stating the aim of the meeting. A varied programme of musical and elocutionary items followed, then a talk by Mr Clark, in which he related incidents of the going away of the men to the last war, and mentioned

the work of the Y.M.C.A He then called on Ken to come forward, and presented him with an envelope. He went on to say that he was sure that if Hitler could see the type of men (judging by Ken) that were going to fight he would not Wait for them, but get out of it. Ken thanked them all very much, saying what a surprise the whole thing had been to him: but would it not be better to send word to Hitler letting him know and save them going at all. As to telling them about life, well, he would be able to tell them more of it when they welcomed him home again. Before supper Mr Sanson led a community sing. To appreciate it one had to be there and see him, but even without that I think he was well above some of the leaders one hears over the air. He was a real artist One of his best solos was “ Does Santa Claus Sleep with his Whiskers Over or Under the Sheet?" It told of how at the W.D. meeting the ladles argued it over, but could not solve the problem After many amusing verses it ended by telling how Mrs Ted Hodge was going to sleep with one eye open to find out. Just previous to this other people arrived after having been elsewhere. One was Mr Douglas Slocombe. also on leave, but from another district. Later on after supper another soldier whom we had been waiting for appeared, and proved to be Miss K. Jonp, dressed up in Ken’s coat and hat, with his walking out stick. " She ” or “ he ” carried on the community sing adding amusing stories and sketches, and it was done very effectively. One story told of how one day when “he ’’ was fishing in a stream near Burnham and getting

numerous bites ”he *' looked up to see' Hitler watching. Still “he ” fished. Then Said Hitler, “How is it the fish on your side are biting, but on my side I cannot get any bites?" “ The soldier ’’ answered, " Because they are allowed to open their mouths on this side.’’ Ken was brought into most of the jokes as if “ the soldier ” and he were in camp together. “ The soldier ” neatly timed “ his ” item to finish at 12 o’clock with “ Now ■is the Hour,” sung Skipper’s way, but with the alteration to ‘ Guard all the Soldiers, Keep them Free from Pain.” The National Anthem and '* Auld Lang Syne ” ended the evening and we left for home, saddened and thoughtful. After a talk we retired to bed. I close now. with love to all. LAUGH YOUR TROUBLES AWAY (Otago). [An evening you will never forget, Laugh Your Troubles Away. I hope your Ken comes back safely, so that you may have a “ welcome home ” party even jollier than the farewell one you have so ably described here.—DOT.] ¥ V Dear Dot. —This week 1 am sending you a poem on behalf of my cat. KITTENHOOD There used to be a meadow in the hills Where breathless winds played feathered twilight games; And I played, too; each shaft of quivering light That danced above the singing, chuckling rills. Or lit the tumbled hair of loVely night, Or marked her brow with little icy flames, Or whispered magic mysteries to the foam. I loved; I knew, I purred to hear the breeze 1 played with sunny shadows by the trees There used to be a meadow soft and cool. Soft with the sleepy murmurs of desire, And lazy stretching paws in dreamy bliss, Padding upon the path beside the pool, Pressing upon the grass with velvet kiss. And I was glad—and yet, the orbs of fire That you may cal) my eyes, were always turned Ahead to future times, my song was sung Of age and not of darling days when young, There used to be a valley; it is gone Gone, and I fair would wish to see it more, Behold the Persian kittens, each a friend, Lapping their lakes of milk where moons have shone Silver, and where the wavelets never end Rippling on the mouse-infested shore. Oh, laughing, misty valley, hear my plea, Welcome the dawn again in shimmering gold, And—sympathise with pussies growing old Love to everyone, including your own dear self, Lady Canterbury Bell. Fairy Fok. Qullp, and Pink Poppy. AMBER BUTTERFLY (Oamaru)

fl like it very much, Amber Butterfly! but I think it is a little involved In places, so that it is difficult quite to catch your meaning. Write again next week, and do not mind my friendly criticism.—DOT.l

NEW MEMBERS Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page for the first time this week:— Spanish Maiden, Little Sir Echo. OLD WRITERS’ NOTES The second meeting of the year was held on February 12. Maid of Killeena presiding. In the correspondence were the following arrangements sent by the Invercargill president:—Members and those making the trip will be met rt the railway bookstall an taken to the picnic ground. Should the day be cold a hall has been arranged for. Old Writers must bring their own eatables, cups, and spoons. Tartan ribbon to wear will be given to them at the station before they leave here. Members are asked kindly to let Maid of Killeena have the number of parties making the trip not later than February 22. The next meeting will be held on March 4. Prime Minister, will you kindly send me your address? The following have sent in subscriptions:—lndian Chief and Lively Lover CLARA, Hon. Secretary, 128 Union street, Dunedin. THE DOLL IN THE CRACKER Peggy was going to have a party. It, was to be a house-warming, for she and

her father and mother had just arrived in a new country home.

The day before the party they drove into the nearest town to get all sorts of nice things, such as cream cakes, tarts, sweets, and fruit, and while they were there a shop assistant asked if they would like to buy a box of paper crackers for the table.

“ They are what they call * Surprise Crackers,’ ” she explained. “ They each contain a toy, but inside one is a solid silver doll.” So they bought the box, and Peggy held it on her lap all the way home, thinking about the silver doll, The crackers were exactly alike when they took them out, very bright and beautiful, with nothing to say which was the special one. Peggy turned them over and shook them a little to see is she could hear a silvery sound, but she couldn’t. So she helped to arrange them On the party table. They made it look very gay. “ If I get the one with the silver doll, can I keep it?’’ she asked, looking at the crackers very hard. Her mother shook her head. “ I am sure you Wouldn’t want to,' she said. ” Guests are always given the best things, you see.” Peggy. however, felt quite sure she would want to keep the silver doll, but she didn't say so. And then came the party. Everything was lovely, and when it was teatime they lit a dozen little fairy lights that stood in coloured glasses on the table to make it look still more exciting, The crackers were to be kept to the end. Peggy tried hard not to keep on wishing she could get the silver doll. The Last Cracker “ If I .do,” she thought, “ 1 will give it to Susan.” But she still wanted it desperately. Then her mother explained about the surprise, and each child looked at the cracker that was nearest to her wondering what was Inside it. Bang-bang-bang! Off they went with terriffic force, and out came the little toys—a sugar mouse, a doll’s chair, a china cat. a tiny jug. But there was no silver doll. At last there was only one cracker left and it was lying just in front of Peggy. “ Will -you pull it with me,” she asked Susan. So they pulled, and it came to Peggy. But when she opened it there was nothing inside but a paper motto. “ The toy must have fallen out,” said Peggy’s mother. But although they looked everywhere they couldn’t find it, and so they left the table and went to Play games in another room. But the silver doll was there all the time—a tiny, tiny thing, hidden among the pieces of torn and crumpled paper. And when the maid came to clear away the tea things she bundled it up without noticing it and threw it into the dustpan, and nobody knew. A Curious Jackdaw Now there lived in the elm tree in the kitchen garden a jackdaw who was very inquisitive, and whenever the lid of the dustpan was taken off he flew down to see if there was anything worth hoarding among the bits, and the very next

morning, when cook's, back was turned, he hopped onto the edge of the open bin and espied something bright inside. “Ho, ho!’’ cawed he, and In a twinkling had picked up the silver doll in his strong beak and had flown with It to his nest. He gave It to Mrs Jackdaw, who was arranging a few new twigs she had found, and she was delighted. So all that spring and all that summer the silver doll lived in the jackdaw’s nest and watched the young birds hatch out and grow bigger and bigger until they were old enough to look after themselves. But when autumn came it was very lonely up there, for the jackdaws had x’emoved, and the winds broke up the nest until there was only a little of it left, When the Branch Cracked One night, after a storm, the big branch on which the nest lay began to crack, and the next morning Peggy's father came with a ladder to saw it off. He placed the ladder against the tree and climbed up, and then he took out his saw r , and was just beginning to work it backwards and forwards when he happened to look into the nest. There, all by itself among a few stray feathers, was the little silver doll. Peggy’s father didn’t tell anyone about it, but he gave the little doll fl polish to make it look as bright as new, and then he put It behind his bflek and asked Peggy to guess what he had found. But she couldn’t, and so he had to show her. And because it had been so long in the jackdaw’s nest high up in the elm tree, and because it was really her very own. at last, the little silver doll seemed to Peggy the most wonderful thing In the world. —An exchange