A Little World for Little People

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 27

A Little World for Little People

FRIENDSHIP IS A STEADY LIGHT SHINING IN DARK PLACES

IN A RAINBOW BOAT

f[ERE'S an island that’s set in the dimpled blue sea, and its known to a goblin called Kipperkee. Stumplin, too, has its interests at heart, while Clump of the island seems almost a part ” “What a queer song,” breathed the Dawn Ladv clinging tightly to each side of the rainbow boat, = “Yes,” whispered the Little Thought. “It’s a rower’s chant These little men always sing when they are working at the oars. Aren’t they quaint little fellows? Kipperkee’s face is all wrinkled and bleached with the salt spray, Stuinplin’s is rather like a crab apple, and Clump’s face might be a peach stone set on his little humped shoulders.” “Hush,” said the Dawn Lady, “they might hear vou ” “There’s no fear of that,” laughed the Little Thought. “Nothing could drown their squeaky voices. Isn’t it fun riding over the waves in a rainbow boat? lam sure it will be morning before we reach the enchanted island, but we are quite safe in this seaworthy craft. Look, Clump is eating a nut. And now he is offering one to Kipperkee. What its that Kipperkee is saying?—‘Almonds come to those who have no teeth.’ Poor Kipperkee! And now Clump is offended because its a hazel nut.” “I wonder what the Sunbeams think of this holiday flight from Happy Town ?” said the Dawn Lady, anxiously. “Numbers of them are on holiday, too, so I am sure they won’t mind.” “But supposing the Doorkeeper mixes up the Patricias and Patricks when he is answering the letters?” “He won’t do that, and anyway, the time will soon slip by. Look, Stumplin is studying something through his telescope. I hope it is not a dolphin. Oh, no, it is just an ocean liner in the distance. Now he is crying ‘Ship, ahoy,’ and Kipperkee is pouring some olive oil on the water. . . . There are supposed to be some rare birds on the enchanted island. Perhaps* if we find some pretty feathers we can take them back to our faithful old Woodpecker. I have promised to collect some shining white pebbles for the Doorkeeper, too. He wants to repair the path leading up to the Place-of-You-Never-Can-Tell. The Joyshop man wants some ferns. .. . I’m tired out with talking. Do you mind if I take forty winks? . . .” “Wake up, Little Thought,” said the Dawn Lady, many hours later, “There is the enchanted island lying like a jewel in the sea.” “Where, where?” cried the Little Thought, rubbing his eyes. “Oh, Dawn Lady, there’s a beautiful veil of blue mist hanging over it. It is growing thinner and thinner as we draw near.” “Like Life,” pondered the Dawn Lady, “hiding herself in ft blue mist and only revealing her loveliness on intimate acquaintance.” “Hush.” said the Little Thought, “you mustn’t say wise things like that when you’re on holiday.”

SQUEAKY SHOES

I wonder if you’ve ever had A squeaky shoe: To cure the squeak it’s hard to know just what to do. Some people say that of you oil A shoe that squeaks: It is a very certain cure For several weeks. But others say that nothing beats A shower of rain: And -worst of squeaks, if treated thus, Won’t come again. But shall I tell the wisest tiling* By far to do: Just ask a cobbler to unstitch The sole for you. And if you watch him carefully, You’re sure to spy jj The tiniest of fairy folk Jump out and fly. So every time you hear a squeak Inside a shoe. You’ll know a fairy can’t get out And calls to you.

PUZZLERS

Six queries: I>—What king wasn't a very good cook?

2. —Why does a dog always turn round and round before he lies down to sleep? 3. —Who was the famous boy who asked for more?

4.—What child in fiction always called his mother “Dearest”?

s.—Who is the fourth lady in the land?

6.—What king had a famous table, and what shape was the table?

Jumbled proverb: OKLO EREFOB OUY LPAK

* * * Answers to last week’s puzzlers: Word Diamond: M. Aid. Annoy Minaret. Doris. Yes. T. Beheaded Word: Laden-Aden-den.

A FAIRY WENT A-MARKETING

A fairy went a-marketing; She bought a winter gown. All stitched about with gossamei* And lined with thistledown. Sh® wore it all the afternoon, With prancing and delight. Then gave it to a little frog To keep him warm at night. A fairy went a-marketing: She bought a gentle mouse To take her tiny messages. To keep her tiny house. All day she kept its busy feet Pit-patting to and fro. And then she kissed its silken ears. Thanked it, and let it go.