LOYALTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 185, 26 October 1927, Page 6

LOYALTY

“Loyalty is a priceless gem of wealth untold.”

The dog was growing old. It was useless. “I must be rid of it somehow ” murmured the old chief. *T shall drown it.” So, Children of Redfeather, when the sun god had sunk to rest and the evening was merging into night, the old chief took his aged dog and, tying a weight to his neck, proceeded to the stream. He gave a parting glance at his old-time friend and cast him far out into the current.

Now, gather round Chiefs and Braves —he was so hasty in his undertaking that his beautiful feathered head-dress came off and was carried with the animal downstream.

Sadly the chief returned to his tepee, there to mourn the loss of his greatly prized head-dress that had taken sq long to make.

It was midnight, Children, and the old chief was suddenly awakened by a low sound of whining. Rising hastily lie lifted the flap of his tepee and peered out. On the threshold a shivering creature lay canting and in his mouth was the precious head-gear.

Lifting his eyes in supplication, the faithful animal gave one long, appealing look at his master and died. . . . And as the old chief laid to rest his faithful servant he realised to the full that “loyalty is a priceless gem of wealth untold.”

—Rising Torrent (George Boyle, aged 14).

Let me go forth and share The overflowing sun With one wise friend, or one Better than wise, being fair, Where the pewit wheels and dips On heights of bracken and ling, And Earth, unto her leaflet tips, Tingles with the Spring. * —Watson.