THE MAGIC RING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 282, 8 June 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MAGIC RING.

THE THREE THINGS CHRISTINE WISHED FOR. Christine was a little girl who lived with her father and mother in a amall Norwegian village. Her father was an invalid, and had to be on his back all day. Slio was very very happy, howover, and had a kind uncle, who gave her beaut'ful presents on her birthdays. But on her twelfth birthday he gave her only an orange. She felt rather disappointed, but thanked her uncle nicely all the same. When lie went she started to poel the orange, and was greatly surprised to hnd that it was not a real one. Under the peel was a small round box, and although Chr"'-rtine had never seen an orange before die knew that a real one would not h;ive a box inside.

Christine gave a little pull, and the box oame apart gently, lns'de was a small packet, marked "Obrstine.'' She opened this, and four.fi a small gold ring and a letter tiom her unele. Opening the letter, she read the following:— •' Dear Christine You may have thought t strange th.it I should give you an orange for a birthday present. But I am nine you will like it when you know how to use the ring you will find inside. When you put the ring on your ,iinger and twist it a genie will appear, who will do all you w'sh. You cannot, however, wish more than three times, for after that the magic will have been exhausted. Therefore I ask you to be careful when choosing, and to put .your wishes to a good u e. I must close now, wishing you many happy returns of t«e> daw—From vour affectionate Undo Jar*."

Chrstine was delighted, and it once put ;ho ring on lier finger, and gave it a twist. A cloud of smoke arose in tho air. from wheih stepped a huge genie, who diluted her and asked her what she wished for. Christine thought for a moment, and then raid:—" I wish that daddy was quite .strong and well again." The genie waved his long arms, and, looking into the next room, where her father generally lay on his couch, Christine saw her fatiier rise from the couch and walk softly over to her mother, who, alarmed at seeing him walking without any a'd, in alarm, sent off a message to tho doctor to como at once. When the doctor oame he examined Christino's father, and told her mother that he was quite cured, and would not have to lie on his hack any mor.\ The genie once more bowed and »sked Christine what else she wished for. Christine wished that everyone would bo as happy as .she all that, day. One more wish now remained to Christine, and she a*Jied the genie if she could keep the small ring, to remind her of the happy day she had spent. The genie nodded his consent and disappeared in another c'.oud of smoke. Christine never saw him again, and would have thought it was all a dream had it not been for the fact that her father was quite well, and for the ring.