THE GOLDEN ARROW

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 6

THE GOLDEN ARROW

rIERE was consternation in Great Big Forest, for the sun had lost one of his golden arrows and it was impossible for night to fall. All the creatures sat round in earnest debate, blinking at each other in the prolonged twilight, but they knew that the golden arrow was lodged in one of the topmost clefts of Very Tall Mountain, beyond the reach of them all. “ You call yourself the King of Beasts,” they said to the lion, “ and yet you sit there doing nothing.” The lion yawned and shook his yellow mane. “ Only the sun, himself, is king of the Very Tall Mountain,” he answered. “ I am powerless to release the golden arrow.” “ But without the sunshine by day and the darkness by night, we cannot live,” protested the animals, many of whom were growing very sleepy. Suddenly, there was a laud flapping of wings, and, looking up, they beheld a beautiful eagle hovering above them. “Oh, king,” they called, “ one of the sun’s golden arrows is lodged in a cleft of Very Tall Mountain, and it is impossible for night to fall.” ‘ „ “I am quite familiar with Very Tall .Mountain, answered the eagle. “ Perhaps I ean release it.” And away he flew. All at once the shadows of night enveloped the forest and the animals knew that the great bird had succeeded. And, thereafter, a sheen like sunshine clung to his plumage, and he'' was known as the Golden Eagle—King of Birds. “ Of course,” said the liou, shaking his yellow mane, “ It is not my fault that I was born without wings.” REDFEATHER.

GIRL GUIDES* CORNER A story of true courage and unselfishne«s comes from Australia. Miss Bull, honorary secretary of the Westralian Girl Guides, served as a hurse in the Turkish wars in the Balkans and was terribly injured. She is now finding vent for her energy in organising the Guide companies in Western Australia, and is calling the aerial service to her aid. At present she is being assisted by Miss Wilson, a Guide officer from Scotland. Sighing Foam, of the New Lynn Company, reports for October: “On October 7, the New Lynn Boy Scouts had their flag dedicated and we attended the ceremony. “October 13 was the day of our bazaar. It held at the residence of Mrs. C. F. Gardner and was opened by our Commissioner, Miss Knight. There were cooking competitions, stalls and side-shows, and also a fancy dress parade. “On Labour Day we went to Otimai, where we spent a most enjoyable time. On the way up we visited a garden with beautiful flowers -and were shown through a glass house full of tomato plants and young seedlings in boxes ready to be packed. We reached home at about six o’clock, tired, but happy.” * * * Silver Spray, of the First Church Company, Frankton, writes: “On October 13 we had a treasure hunt in the Guide Hall and the treasures were little cards that can be used to decorate the patrol corners. “On October 27 the Morrinsville Company invited us to an afternoon to repay us, they say, for what we did for them at the time of the Rally in Hamilton. Our committee was also invited. “The rest of the month was taken up with the usual •weekly meetings.” * * * Sun-flecked Shadow, of St. John’s Company, Royal Oak, writes: “Miss Knight took the Guides for a hike to Mangere Mountain last Saturday afternoon, and twenty girls were present. We had a tracking game, then built a fire, made some damper, boiled the billy and had tea. “Roma Kelnner has passed her Domestic Service Test. “We are having our final rehearsal for the Rally next Saturday afternoon.” This company is starting a library

and each girl will contribute a book. The Guides are now learning some Maori dances. * * * Sun Cloud, of the First Cambridge Company, reports: “The chief excitement of October was our Guide dance, which took place last Wednesday. The Hall was beautifully decorated with green and gold streamers, our Company colours. When the orchestra struck up the first dance, about seventy couples took the floor and, from then on, the hall was a scene of gaiety. The proceeds are to be devoted to camping funds. “The Guides are looking forward to our sixth birthday party on November 10. Members of five neighbouring companies are invited. “On Saturday, October 13, our company was visited by Mrs. Toombes, our Divisional Commissioner. It was ceremonial evening, and Mrs. Toombes enrolled five new recruits and also presented a number of proficiency badges. During the evening the 'Guides gave thejr warcry of welcome to the Commissioner. “We have now closed our classes for this year, and as soon as the weather permits, hope to commence our Guide Swimming Club again every Wednesday night. “Last week Captain (Crystal Lake), Moccasin Maker, Evening Gold, another Guide and I hiked out into the country to inspect a camp site. We had a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine and wind, and, most important of all, we found a site which we think will be ideal. It is on a farm at a place called Rotorangi, and the site itself flat stretch of grass near a long stretch of native bush. It is a splendid place and there is also a clear, rocky creek which is to be dammed up for us.” * * * . Silver Ripple reports for St. Mary’s Company:— “We are busily training for the Rally where we are representing the modern form of Friendliness. “We held our monthly Church Parade on Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral. “At our last ceremonial three Patrol Leaders were invested and four seconds. Service stars and badges were also presented together with one second class. Three girls gained their laundress badge last week, and other girls intend passing other tests before the end of the year. “We are all trying to think of original ideas for raising money for camp.”