MIKKO

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 27

MIKKO

A BROWNIE STORY I expect you all know what Brownie: are. They are a kind of fairy, not those very small ones who dance in the moonlight round a mushroom or ii a fairy-ring, but a kind of tiny dwarf who are always dressed in brown, and their faces and hair are brown, too. They are good-natured little creatures, and very friendly to humans, and always ready to help them when they are in trouble. The Brownie King sat on a throne made of bronze in the midst of his subjects. He was as dressed as the rest of them, but was rather taller and wore a wonderful jewel in his peaked cap that lit up the cave with its magic light. “Well, friends!” said the King, looking round, “have you anything to report? Anyone you desire to help? You. Mikko! speak up, if you have anything to say,” he added, turning to one of the Brownies near the throne. Mikko advanced and bowing to the King, said: “If It please your Majesty, 1 know a ease that wants our help badly; it is of a young girl in the village down below. She is ill-treated and overworked by a cruel mistress. She does her utmost to please ner. and. though half-starved, she shares her miserable meals with an old dog.” “Give the maiden another test.” said the King, “and if she comes, through it, then you are at liberty to help her all you can.” The’ next day at noon, as Bella was about to eat her dinner, which consisted of a few miserable scraps, *>f which Beppo had the greater share, there came a timid knock at the kitchen door. Opening it, she saw’ standing there a blind man, who begged for food, saying he had tasted nothing since the day before and was faint with hunger and fatigue. Bella felt faint with hunger herself, having been working since five o’clock w r ith scarcely a moment’s rest. She looked anxiously at the plate of food. Could she divide it into three? she w’ondered. No! there would hardly be a bite each. So. forgetting her own hunger and need, she poured the contents of the plate into the outstretched hands of the beggar. “It is all I have, poor man!” she sai<k “I am very sorry it is not more. Whea you have quite finished, please give the bone to Beppo, though I am afraid there will not be much on it.” Beppo was standing on the doorv step and wattled the disappearance of the food with anxious eyes. The blind man ate ravenously, and when Ip? had finished he thajiked Bella and said: “You will never regret your kindness, maiden, o one afflicted as I am such deeds arc? not easily forgotten.” Then he went. slowly up the street. The next morning Bella was awafoi early. What a lot she had to do before the family came downstairs—water t<> fetch, wood to chop, fire to light, bodfcs to clean, and breakfast to prepare. As she opered the kitchen door she started back in amazement. Shie thought she must be dreaming. Thje fire was burring brightly, the kettle singing, the kitchen tidied up, thjs boots polished so brightly you could see your face in .hem and all the waterbutts filled. Bella could not believe her Who could ha.ve done it? She find no answer to her question. She went to bed feeling utterly per> plexed and when next morning tttfe same thing happened, she. was morf puzzled than ever. On the third morning she arose at dawn, crept silently downstairs and peeped into the kitchen. The Are was burning brightly, and sitting gross-legged on the floor was a tiny brown dwarf, busily engaged io cleaning a pair of muddy boots. Bella uttered a cry of wonder. The little man locked up and, seeing her, flung down the boot he held arn£ rushed out of the door. There wans not the slightest trace of him whCfS Bella looked down the lane. That same night, at the Brownie King’s court, Mikko appeared before the throne. “Well, friend Mikko!” said the King* “you look somewhat downhearted. DPI you find the maiden undeserving our help?” “Nay, your Majesty!” answem! Mikko, “anything but that. I disguised myself as a blind man, and begged for food; the girl, though faint with hunger, gave me her portion without hesitation. Later, I helped with the work, which is - far too heavy for her young shouldeys; but thi>s morning she espied me at my labours; and now I can no longer assist her.” ; “That is true.” said the King. “.If new home must be found for th<S child.” "I know the very place for her. said Mikko. “A lady lost her daughter several years ago and has never been happy since. I shall see what can be done.” =► * • One summer evening, outside the beautiful home which was now Bella’s, you might have seen a little brownie perched up on the wall overlooking Unlovely garden. On the terrace in front of the house a lady and a girl paced slowly up and down, follows by . n old sheep-dog. As Mikko watched, he saw the ladV stoop down and embrace the young girl by her side. Then he chuckled and said to himseJf: “I think my work here is finished. I must stir myself and see what oth exmortal is needing help; there are | sure to be plenty.” ! And he vanished quickly into thp ! darkness. OLD MISTER MEGGS j Old Mister Meggs has such prominent eyes That they look from his face .with sr constant surprise, And needles and pins always prickle my legs, When I go down the street and I meel Mister Meggs. One day last week there was lobstev for tea. And its big goggle eyes were both staring at me. So I said in a" whisper, “I'd have eggs, It somehow reminds me of old Mister: Meggs.”