A GARDEN STORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 27

A GARDEN STORY

Peter had left his balloon fastened to the spade the gardener liad stuck in the ground near the sweet peas, and Miss Ladybird, who was on her way from the Brawns’ rose bed to the Robinsons’ (where the greenfly were said to be particularly plump), settled on it. And that was the start of her adventure, for just at that moment Peter’s baby sister toddled up and cut the string with the scissors she had found in nurse’s work basket, and the balloon soared up toward the blue sky with Miss Ladybird clinging desperately to it. At first she was not frightened Then, as the earth went farther and farther away, she became a little nervous. But when the Robinsons* garden

looked just like a speck. Miss Ladybird became really afiaid. In fact, she was seriously thinking of slipping off and trying to fly back, when Benjamin Butterfly blundered into the balloon, and, like the famous spider, sat down beside her.

“What are you doing here”’’ he asked. “This isn't a rose.” “I know it isn’t,” sobbed Miss Ladybird; “I wish it was. I was resting for a moment when that horrid little

girl cut the string, and —here I am! - . . And I don’t know when or how I shall ever get to the Robinsons.” Miss Ladybird sobbed bitterly. “Never mind,” said Benjamin kindly, “we’re a long way from the earth, but I think I can manage to fly as far as the Robinsons.”

“I daresay you can." whimpered Miss Ladybird, “but I can’t!” “You must climb on my back/’ explained Benjamin. “I should be much too heavy for you,.” objected Miss Ladybird. “Nonsense!” exclaimed Benjamin, “you’re only a tiny thing. I can easily carry you.” .

AJter a time Miss Ladybird consented to do as Benjamin Butterfly suggested. Very carefully she climbed on his back, an! off they went. Shutting her eyes she clung on tightly as Benjamin was blown about by the breeze, until, after a long, long time.

she heard him say with a sigh at relief: “Thank 'goodness! Here we are at last! ”

Then she opened her eyes, and sure enough they were on the Robinsons’ rosebed. Benjamin Butterfly was resting on a big yellow rose, and as soon as her nerves felt a little steadier Miss Ladybird crept off his back on to a leaf. When she felt quite herself again she crawled under the leaf to look at the greenfly ... For some time Benjamin Butterfly remained motionless. Then, after taking a sip of honey, lie said: