DISCONTENTED MARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 33

DISCONTENTED MARY

(Second-Prize Story) Mary was a naughty, discontented little girl who grumbled about everything, although she was really very lucky and had lots of lovely toys, a good mummy and daddy, and the dearest little baby brother. Now, the baby was really the cause of all the trouble just because mother wanted her to mind him for a few minutes while she and nurse saw to the packing, for they were leaving for a whole month at the beach next morning. “Oh, dear,” said Mary. “Why do I have to mind the baby when I want to -play? I wish I were a bird or a bee or something so that I could just ily round all day and enjoy myself.” That same afternoon, when Mary was playing in the garden, she heard a voice, and standing in front of her were two dear little fairies who said, “You are coming with us to see something that will open your eyes.” They each took one of Mary’s hands in theirs, then they rose in the air with her between them. They flew from place to place, showing her all the time how all God’s creatures work—■ the bird that gathers food all day for its young, the bee that travels from flower to flower gathering honey, the little squirrel gathering his winter food and storing it away. On and on they went, showing her that, no matter how small, each creature had its work to do; yet here was a lucky little girl who grumbled just because she had to mind the baby for a few minutes. The next thing Mary knew she was back in the garden and nurse was calling her for tea. She sprang quickly to her feet and ran indoors. From that day on she never grumbled, and mother and nurse both declared that there never was a better girl in the world. —DICK! SCHOFIELD (aged S).

DAWN AND THE FAIRIES Dawn was a little girl who lived with her Kiother in a pretty little cottage called “Sunnyvale.” It was a beautiful warm evening in February, and, as Dawn lay in her cosy bed thinking over what she would do on the morrow, a very strangd thing indeed happened. The moonbeams danced merrily through the opened leadliglit, and the crickets whistled gaily, just below her window, when, suddenly, she heard a noise, different from any she had ever heard before. It was a thin, piping little voice calling her to come, and, looking up, she saw to her amazement two of the daintiest little fairies any one could ever wish to see. They were dressed in the palest rainbow tints, and their wings sparkled just as if they had been dipped into a pot of silver. Before Dawn had time to say a word, she felt herself being taken by the hands and carried away out through the open window and far across the garden. Swifter than the wind they went, the two little fairies and Dawn, past the houses, big and small, tlio tree-tops, and high up among the soft, feathery clouds. It was not long, however, before she felt herself coming down, down, down, and, before she had time to say good-bye, she awoke, to realise it was only a dream. —Betty Middleton (aged 13).

out a signature has reached me for the needlework competition. The envelope w.as stamped “Grey Lynn-Archhill. April 24,” and the water-lily is finished in pink thread. Nancy Waller, Penrose: Jean reads ail the Hollow Tree so .she will find that you are hoping for a letter. I have tucked your love for her under the Woodpecker's right wing and also your thoughts for Cathleen Fletcher and Jean Farquhar. Yes, there is surely a feeling of winter in the outside world. Don't take any risks with that cold, Nancy. Gay du Faur, Howick: Yes, Jack Frost is peeping round corners now, Gay. but he never stays very long in Auckland. He likes to play his pranks further South and leave his pictures on the windowE Jean Buckley, Joyce Thomson. Beekv Pelham and Irene Better will be glad vou have remembered them, and the Little Thought sends a smile to Wink. Jean Marbeck, Green Lane: I shall be very glad to have that photograph, Jean. How clever of your brother to make a fiddle out of a coconut shell. With all those musical instruments you must have some wonderful concerts. Thank you for those riddles. Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: The Printer Man called at Happy Town a day earlier this week on account of Anzac Day, Jean. Much love from the Little Thought and the Dawn Lady. Norma Waller, Penrose: The Little Thought never feels the cold. Norma, so he has no need of a woolly coat. I hope you will be very cosy in yours. You are having a. busy time preparing for those examinations. Some Happy Town sunshine for Norma.