An Open Air Page

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 101, 20 July 1927, Page 12

An Open Air Page

For Big Girls and Boys

STORY TIME

HIiST I Who comes?” “A Little White Bird, 0 Chief, seeking shelter from the wind and rain. I come in the wake of Raven Wing, who has lately found the way to the Wigwam.” “Greetings, Little White Bird. You could not have found a happier haven. Long may the walls of the Wigwam shield you from the winds of the world. Who follows?” “Red Eagle, O Chief, from the far crags where winter leaves her footprints and the cloud galleons sail. From my lonely eyry I heard a voice that spoke of friendship and the gathering place of the children of Redfeather. I bring the grace of swiftness, the keen eyes of perception and the gift of fortitude to your tribes.” “It is well. Pass in, Red Eagle.” “And I am Wanika, O Chief. Bid not the Bi;ook of Whispering Waters say unto one Silver Heel: ‘Where is Wanika V Let my presence answer for me. I come from the far trails, eager and undaunted, to take my place beside the Wigwam fire.” “ Greetings, 0 Wanika, child of the lonely spaces. Though you go to the four corners of the earth, your ears must ever be tuned to the call of the Wigwam. How wise are the words of the Brook of Whispering Waters. Who comes, on the moccasins of youth, looking neither to right nor left, but with the single purpose of the arrow to its mark?” “The children of Redfeather to hold converse with our Chief. We come not empty handed for we have dipped in the ink of reflection and bring great stories of the chase.” “And pen-names for new Chiefs and Braves?” “Even so.” “And golden words that men call poetry ?” “ Even so, O Chief.” “ Then let us gather round. Have I not promised to read the word of the Sioux, whose kindly shadow has fallen across our threshold ? Listen and listen well, for thus the scroll begins: ‘Lo, it is dusk. The fire has burned out from the farflung sky, and in its place an unseen hand has lighted the myriad candles of the night . . J ” REDFEATHER.