PETER, PATTY, AND MR PIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 72

PETER, PATTY, AND MR PIP.

JUMBO JINKS.

(Special for the Otago Witness.)

11 Why, there’s old Jumbo,” exclaimed Patty one day, when they were walking down a road along which a circus was passing. “Let’s ask him to help us build a summer-house! You know we’ve always wanted one.” “I’ll help you with pleasure,” trumpeted Jumbo. “I’m splendid at carrying timber. Peter and Patty opened the door of the cage, and out walked Jumbo, bowing low as he came. “Delighted to be of service to you,” he said kindly. “And now what shall I do first.” “ Mind your feet, please! ” shouted Mr Pip. “ They would finish me off if they trod on me.”

“Up you jump,” beamed Jumbo. “All of you can ride on my hack, and we’ll get the timber! home in no time.” “All aboard! All aboard!” shouted Peter, Patty, Mr Pip, and Kitty. “Careful how you get up, Jumbo,” added Peter, “ ’cause we don’t ride an elephant every day.” Jumbo got up very carefully and ambled off towards the wood-pile. “Like a bit of speed now?” he asked suddenly. - » “ Rather! ” shouted his riders. And then old Jumbo showed them what an elephant could do in the way ’of running!

Just as Jumbo expected, the “passengers” slipped off, one by one, when he stopped. First Mr. Pip flopped down; then Kitty, then Patty, and finally Peter, who had hung on as long as he could. “Everyone all right?” trumpeted Jumbo. “No bones broken? That's the ticket! And now to, work with the wood.” “We’ll make a fine summer-house,” remarked Peter, surveying with pride the pile of logs the elephant had collected in the garden. “It won’t take long to put it up.”