A Little World for Little People

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 27

A Little World for Little People

friendship is a steady light shining in dare places

AX EXCURSION

“ IF I were made of ordinary flesli and could grow up to be a i man,” said the Little Thought, “ I should not like to add up figures or build shops. T should like to he an artist.” “Why is that.”’ asked the Woodpecker, peering out of the Hollow Tree and polishing his beak against the feathers of one wing. “ Because beautiful pictures last longer than columns of figures or of brick and stone. They will still be in the world when the shops have crumbled and the money is forgotten. Some day, the Sunbeams of Happy Town, who win the painting competitions will be artists like that, I heard the Doorkeeper say so.” “ I have not seen the paintings this time,” sighed the Woodpecker, “ because I am always on duty at the Hollow Tree.” “ Perhaps a Pixie Postman would not mind taking charge for a little while,” suggested the Little Thought, “ then you could come with me and look at them. See, there goes a Pixie Postman now. I shall just catch him, I think.” “ With pleasure,” laughed the Pixie Postman, bowing low and following the Little Thought back to the Hollow Tree. “ This is indeed kind of you,” said the Woodpecker gratefully. “ The paintings arc all tinder the Happiness Tree,” the Little Thought told him, “ and we must not be long because the Dawn Lady will he answering the letters soon. Do you think you could race me across?” “I doubt it,” said the Woodpecker, arriving exactly three seconds after the Little Thought. “Oh, you want to see the paintings, good Mister Woodpecker,” the Dawn Lady greeted him and spread the entries out under his delighted gaze. “ Well, by my beak and claws, I have never seen anything so wonderful!” exclaimed the Woodpecker. “And I can tell which are the three best pictures. Now I can understand the Little Thought’s desire to be an artist. I should like to be able to wield a paint brush, too.” “ What’s that ?” asked the Doorkeeper, appearing on the scene. “ You don’t mean to say that you are thinking of entering for the competitions, too?” “ Oh, no,” said the Woodpecker, modestly. “ When I see work such as this I fully realise my own limitations. Why, what is the Joyshop man laughing about? Oh, I know. He has been reading some of those last n lines in the limerick compe- ,/ HQ\ L GocL»J tition. .. . Hurry, Dawn Lady, ■ . rvU ■ it is time to write the mes- ' - sages for the Hollow Tree.” '