DAFFODILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 358, 19 May 1928, Page 27

DAFFODILS

FIRST EQUAL Peggy’s and Prue’s father had given them a little plot of ground all to themselves, and at first they were undecided as to whai they would plant in it. Peggy liked violets and Prue primroses, and each tried to persuade the other to agree to plant her particular favourite. Mother suggested that they should plant both, but the girls scorned this idea. “It would look funny, half violets and half primroses,” declared Peggy. Then daddy came to the rescue, aud said: “What about daffodils?” “Oh, just the thing!” cried Peggy and Prue, in one voice, so daddy brought home some bulbs, showed the girls how to plant them, and Peggy and Prue worked in the garden all that afternoon. “Isn't it wonderful how lovely, golden daffodils can grow up from little brown bulbs,” remarked Prue, as she covered up the last one. “Yes, very,” replied an unfamiliar voice. “Perhaps you would like to see how they do it?” Peggy and Prue whirled round to see a tiny man dressed in brown and green, addressing them. “Oh, we’d love to.” Peggy said, half shyly. The dwarf took each by the hand and led them through a tiny trapdoor in the ground, down, down long flights of steps, and at length into a room full of brown and green-clad dwarfs like himself. “This is where we work to help the bulbs to grow,” he explained. “These dwarfs are making blankets to keep them warm, aud these are getting plenty of food ready for when they start to grow. Those in that cprner. are manufacturing green sprouts, while those are very busy making gowns of yellow silk for the flowers." “Please, where are the Beeds?” asked Prue, timidly. Their little guide took them to a large cupboard in which lay dozens of small brown bags filled with seeds. “I do think your workshop lovely.” declared Prue. “And the dwarfs must be busy to make all those things for the bulbs. It w*ill be so much more interesting watching them grow when we know that you are down here, helping them.” The little fellow looked flattered, aud said modestly: “Y’es, we are busy. Now, I’m afraid I’ll have to show you up into the garden again, as I have much more work to do yet.” “Thanks,” murmured Peggy gratefully. “It’s very kind of you. We will always remember, won’t we, Prue?” “Rather,” came Prue’s sincere reply. “Ah, here’s the sunshine once- more. Good-bye, little dwarf. I hope we see you again some day.” “Of course, you will,” promised the wee man, and, with that, he vanished. Day after day Peggy and Prue examined the plot, kept it free from weeds and watered it generously, and at last they w*ere rewarded by seeing the strong little shoots force their way above the earth. “Soon they should be flowering.” commented Prue, after a time, and sure enough, one day, when they came running down the pathway, they were greeted by a golden cup waving in the breeze. “Look!” cried Prue, pointing excitedly. “Look!” shrieked Peggy, repeating her action. “Our first daffodil!” they exclaimed together, aud they could almost imagine that the dwarf’s little face was nodding at them out of the first bloom. —Jessie Milne (aged 14). -i