OPAL BUBBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 31

OPAL BUBBLES

PRIZE-WINNING story Have you ever seen opal bubbles? Yes, I’m sure you have! They are the ones that glimmer with beautiful shades of pink, green and violet, and reflect the rays of the sun in their crystal depths. Well, opal bubbles are magic. If you see an opal bubble, close your eyes tightly—and wish. Now, Valerie was a little girl who was living at the seaside with her aunt. One day when Valerie and her little dog Wag were scampering along the sands Valerie stopped with an exclamation of delight. She was standing in a small cave, where the little wavelets lapped over her bare feet, and the gentle wind caressed her golden hair. In a small pool beside her were some bubbles of rare beauty and exquisite colouring, and it was at these that the child was staring. “Oh,” she whispered in a soft, musical voice, “how I wish I were a mermaid. I’d wear these lovely opal bubbles in my hair. . . She did not finish her reverie, however, for she felt a queer feeling coming over her and, all at once, her legs changed into a beautiful sparkling tail. On her head was a wreath of opal bubbles and sea-weed, and by her side swam Wag, transformed into a little sea-horse. Together they swam out to sea, and found a small cavern where they built their home. q And now, if you are lucky sbnie day, you may see Valerie the mermaid swim to the top of the sea, and play with the wind, which tosses her sea-, wet locks and chases the waves until they break and the snow-white foam leaps high into the air for Valerie to catch and weave into ,hsr crown. Hut. you never see Valerie playing without her faithful sea-horse. Wag, who enjoys the frolic as much as his playful mistress. —Joy Hill (aged 14).