THE MAN IN THE MOON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 27

THE MAN IN THE MOON

“Once, long ago. there was no man in the moon, and it just bumped about the sky anywhere it liked, and at the end of the month, when it was worn out, it was cut up for cakes for the Fairy Queen’s birthday party and a new one rose, all nice and round and well-nourished looking. But one day a greedy little gnome rushed up and took a large bite out of the new moon. Then there was a fine commotion. Up came the Fairy Queen. “Very well, my man,” she said firmly, “if you are so fond of the moon, you may stay in it.” And the little gnome found himself bustled inside. All new moons shall in future rise with a large bite out of them to show people what you have done, and to warn mortals against greediness. Here are some knitting needles, and a crochet hook. You shall spend your time knitting and crocheting new bits, until the moon is round and well-nourished looking again, so that it may be cut up into cakes for my birthday party. You will also drive it straight across the sky in an orderly course. Your speed limit will vary with the winds, except across the Milky Way, which is ‘dead slow,’ according to the customs of the mortals.” Silently the little gnome settled down in the moon, where he’s been ever since, and shot away into the sky. And that is why the moon behaves so strangely each month. I expect you have often wondered about it. “BEST* I like to wear my party frock, That auntie bought in town. My patent shoes with shing toes, My Sunday hat with little bows, And ribbons hanging down. I like to hear t! 0 people say, “How pretty Nancy looks to-day!” —Sent in by N. Waller. RIDDLES What is put on the table, cut, but never eaten? —A pack of cards. What makes a pair of boots? —Two. —Sent in by Edwyna Stone. THREE SMILES Visitor to school: “Now, children, in Africa there are no schools for hundreds of miles, so what should we all save our pennies and do ?” * “Go to Africa!” shouted the class. —Sent in by Nola Craig. Horse dealer to farmer: What will you give me for this horse? Farmer: A load of hay. Horse dealer: And what would I want with hay and no horse to eat it? Farmer: Well, I could lend you the horse until the hay was gone. —Sent in by Edna Cayless. * * * A little boy who lived in a city was enjoying his first holiday In the country. He was staying at a farmhouse, and one morning he saw a peacock in the farmer’s garden. Running to his mother, he exclaimed: Mother, one of the chickens is in bloom!