UNDER THE STARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 27

UNDER THE STARS

It was a beautiful night in Venice. Graceful gondolas glided over the glassy waters, guided by gaily-dressed gondoliers and carrying ladies. A short distance clown the stream a carnival was being held in one of the villas, and a number of gondolas decked with lanterns lay tied to a small jetty. The noise of the merry-makers grew louder, and through the doors of the villa, the people came and, boarding gondolas, they glided swiftly along the surface of the water Away in the distance one could hear an Italian love song, accompanied by a mandoline, and being sung to some lady of quality.

Overhead the stars were numerous, and the moon looked soft and mellow. The sky was black and solemn, making the stars look like diamonds on a bed of velvet. It was moonlight and the smooth waters reflected the moon’s rays, so that it was almost as bright as day. The merry-making continued till at last a faint streak of dawn appeared in the sky. —Pauline Wolfe, Ponsonby (aged 12). TWO DOLLS Said the Wax Doll to the China Doll: “I don't, think fnuch of you. Your cheeks they are so very hard. Your eyes so pale a blue; And then you are so very stiff— But what else can you be, Just made in China? Don’t you wish That you were wax like me? Said the China to the Wax Doll: “No doubt it’s very true That my cheeks are a little hard, My eyes too pale a blue; At least. I’m ‘warranted to wear,’ And this you must have felt That when I’m placed before the fire. At least I shall not melt!” —Sent in by Annie Lake. THE MAGIC SWORD Princess Pearl was the most beautiful maiden you could ever imagine. She had a long, thick p!ait of golden hair which fell far below her waist. She was the only maiden in her father’s kingdom who had long hair. Now. Princess Pearl was always weeping. That seems unusual when she had everything that money could buy but Pearl was in the power of the wicked wizard, Wuzz. The wizard had a grudge against her father, so he revenged himself by causing harm to Pearl. One night, as she slept in the royal apartment, he entered by magic and cast a spell over the princess. By his power he caused her to weep continually, day after day, until her hair should te cut off by a magic sword. The old king was extraordinarily proud ol! his daughter’s hair, so he did not wish, this to be done. The wiza: i, Wuzz, of course, had known this, and he chuckled wickedly.

For two years the poor princess wept night and day. She had six ladies-in-waiting who were continually sui - plying her with fresh hankerchiefs. The king grew more and more anxious about Pearl. He employed all the court magicians to try to brea! the frpell, but they all failed, and at last the king gave up in despair. Meanwhile, poor Pearl got thinner and thinner; the roses fled from her cheeks and her eyes were terribly swollen and red from continually crying. But one day the king had a visit from a foreign royal family. The visiting king and queen drove in state in an open carriage, while their son. I‘rince Ivan, rode behind on a coalhlack charger. They slowly approached the palace where the king and his daughter and all their retainers were solemnly waiting. But iihe wizard, Wuzz, received a violent shock, for the prince, although he had no knowledge of it, possessed the magic sword. Consequently, Wuzz rushed out, intending to harm the Prince in some way. He knew he could hot do so by magic for ho was powerless against the magic sword, but he thought he might perhaps frighten the horse, which would throw the

Pnnce and injure him. Suddenly Wuzz saw his opportunity Ju «t as the prince arrived at the Pelace steps, he rushed in front of the horse, opened the umbrella, and brandished it in the animal’s face. The Prince drew his sword as his charger shied violently, and the people rushed lr * ail directions. The horse reared and pranced about, and Princess Pearl, her eyes blinded with tears, narrowly escaped being trampled on. As she “fd past the horse, her plait flying behind her. the prince’s waving sword caught: it and cut off her beautiful hair. Ivac .quickly dismounted to beg the Princess's forgiveness for the unfortunate accident. But he was amazed J>y the change which had come over the princess. Her eyes grew bright Jbd were no longer swollen with tears, “ e r cheeks became rosy again; she was fadiant and suddenly she threw back a* h ead and laughed merrily. At first when the old king saw his daughter’s hair lying on the ground was consumed with anger. But he heard her laugh, is anger thelterL Prince Ivan and Princess Pearl fell * e Ply in love with one another, and ere the happiest couple in the land , eve r after.

_ .is the opposite of misery?” the master. Went a Stubby hand, sir, happiness!” i€s! Now tell me the opposite of •adnesa/* “Gladness!” “And of woe?” A moment’s hesitation, and “Gee up - came the reply.