THE GREEN GOBLIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 318, 31 March 1928, Page 27

THE GREEN GOBLIN

The Green Goblin was feeling very much annoyed. There had been no lain for weeks, and the garden plot in which he took such pride was hopelessly parched. Added to this, Cheeper tlio Sparrow, who used to fly all his messages, had deserted him, and the Green Goblin had to do everything for himself. Ho lived in a strange little house, with crooked chimneys, a shell roof, and rush walls. A little green door was set in a tiny porch, and across it was written: “Green Goblin, Naturalist. No admittance.” He did not know what a naturalist was, but he had seen the name once on an odd piece of paper, and he knew that “No admittance” made a place very hard to get into. But even having that important notice on h\s door did not bring the rain or grow green grass in liis stunted garden. Freddie the Frog had always wanted to meet the Green Goblin because they were the same colour, and they both liked wet days, so one morning he decided to call. ' I know a pond,” he stud, “that will teach you a lesson in patience. If you bring that acorn cup you will be able to carry plenty of water for your garden.” The Green Goblin thought it over. “If I don’t do as you say,” he answered unhappily, “everything will be dead within a week.” The pond was a long way off, and the acorn cup grew very heavy on the return journey. Freddie the Frog offered to carry it, but with every hop he spilt the water. The Green Goblin went backward and forward to the pond every morning of every day for a week, and by that time there was a distinct change in his garden. Then he noticed a curious thing. A beautiful green track stretched right from his gate to the edge of the pond, and one day he discovered Rupert the Rabbit nibbling the sweet new grass. “This is indeed kind of you,” said Rupert. “The rabbit family owes much to you and your little acorn cup. Our king has asked me to place our services at your disposal.” The Green Goblin paused thoughtfully. and set down his acorn cup. At length he said: “I should like you to dig a small ditch from the pond to my home, so that I shall never be short of water. Furthermore, Cheeper the Sparrow has deserted me, and I have no messenger.” “I shall willingly fill the vacancy myself,” said Rupert the Rabbit. The Green Goblin picked up his acorn cup. “But remember,” he said firmly, “no fresh young cabbages are to be selected from my garden.”