PITTER PATTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 27

PITTER PATTER

Old Mr. Grump did not like chiidit n. There was a notice on hi< gate whu . read “Keep out,” and all the children hurrying by with their school-bay - and hoops always passed his place on the other side of the afreet. The n for Mr. Grump’s strange behaviour was just that he did not understan.l children, although. 50 yearn before, l.e ha I been a child himself. But. then, it was useless to remind him of this, lor it just made him colder and more morose than ever. Mr. Grump had a beautiful garden and you would have thought it was the very thing to keep him happy, but the slugs would sometimes play navo< with liis seedlings and weeds would spring up under his very nose. Then, people would often lean over tee fence and pick his flowers and lie was far too grumpy lo share anything with anyone. If it had not been for Ritter Patter this story would never have been wr‘lilt was a cold bleak night in late autumn, and Mr. Grump was sitting over his tire with a oook on gardening open on his knee. The 'girt he w.»s reading was not very interesting. - * he let his eyes wander to the bright tongues of flame that were leaping up the chimney. You would have thoughi that Mr. Grump would have been happy, for it was raining outside and he had a splendid fire to keep him warm. but. instead of that, he felt v»* > lonely and miserable. Suddenly, above the rain, he a strange sound. Someone was coni ing up his garden path with a s«». pitter-pattering noise. Mr. Grump 10from his chair and stood listening. Then he heard a light tapping at the front door. ’ Why can’t they ring the bell?'* he exclaimed crossly, and went out into the hall. The tapping continued and. filled with curiosity. Mr. Grump opened the door. At first he could set- nothing, but presently. his glance fell to the doorstep and there stood an odd little filature trembling with the cold. “My name is Fitter Patter.” said the strange visitor, and please, dear Mr. Grump, will you let me in. for I am afraid I shall die with cold.'* No one had ever call'd Mr. Grump “dear” before, and. ;:lmo«t unconsciously. he drew the little fellow inside and shut the door. “Now.” he said gruffly, “you can dry yourself at the fire and give an account of yourself.” Fitter Fatter sat down on the fender and held his small hands to the blaze and Mr. Grump had now an oppot - tunity to study him more closely. He ! was clad from head to loot in a suit j ot grey, much the colour of a puff of dust on a busy thorough Lure. His eyes were blue, he was six inches high, and he wore the strangest of strange shoes with flat, flexible soles. On* said “Fitter.” and the other said * Fatter with every step lie took. “The children were all in bed and I had nowhere to go.” he said There was a notice on your gate, but it was too dark to read it. so I came in.” “And quite right, too.” said Mr. Grump, astonished to hear such kindle words coming out of his own mouth “Through the day I am quite happy.” continued the little fellow, for there are plenty of children to follow*. I make the pitter patter that you he*. when they run. It is my business In life. But when they are all in bed 1 ani alone in an uninteresting world. Not that I find you uninleresting, Mr. Grump.” he added hastily. “And you are the first visitor of the kind I have ever had.” answered Mr. Grump, quite gently. “Children bring old people happiness.” mused Fitter Fatter. “Thev are the flowers growing in the earth’s wide garden. You are very fond of flowers. I think?” “I have always taken a great pride In my garden.” answered Mr. Grump. “And yet.” sighed Fitter Fatter, “the children pass on the other side of th<street. Please read me something out of that book.” Mr. Grump turned the pages, set hi*« spectacles on his nose and began read ing a paragraph about pumpkins and peas. When he looked up he was the oniv person in the room. . . . The next morning Mr. Grump was leaning over the gate, when, for no I reason whatever, a little boy running by on the other side of the road turned and smiled at him. The next child said “Good morning. Mr. Grump. ' and w*ent on her way with a merry* pitterpatter of hurrying feet. • two boys crossed the road. “How well your chrysanthemums ar«looking.” they* said. That afternoon Mr. Grump was bus with hammer and nails, and a new notice board appeared on his gate. H*- ■ felt rather shy* as he nailed it into I place, for in six-inch letters it read. J “Come in ! ” —W.S.T. TONY THE TURTLE Tony* was a Turtle i Very much at ease. Swimming in the sunshine Through the summer seas. And feeding on the fishes Irrespective of their wishes. {With a “By your leave” and • Thankyou” , And a gentlemanly squeeze. ; Tony” was a turtle ; Who loved a civil phrase; I Anxious and obliging. Sensitive to praise. jAnd to hint that he was snappv Made him thoroughly unhappy ! i For Tony was a Turtle j With most engaging ways. j Tony was a Turtle Who thought, before he fed. Of other people’s comfort. And as he ate them said: J “If I seem a little grumpy. ; It is not that you are lumpy.” : For Tony was a Turtle I Delicately bred.