GREAT KING-OF-THE-SKY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 39

GREAT KING-OF-THE-SKY

The GreAt King-cf-the-Sky in his grey cloud-palace and gazed on the wide areas of his own domain, and the earth below. The Great Klng-of-the-Skv was despondent. "trust have I ever done to better earth or sky'*' he thought. “I hare been King-of the-Sky for a dozen centuries, hut nothing is any better for my ruling Even the birds on er n h can sing, but I. a great king, am useless." He sat and pondered deeply.. Far below, the golden sur. was dipping Into the west in a colourless haze, while above it floated a few grey clouds. “The sinking of the sun should b-' attended with more splendour.” thoughr the Great King-of-the-Sky, Idly. “It is like the triumphant passing of a. great spirit each day.” A brilliant idea quite suddenly occurred to him, anti the Great Kir.p of-the-Sky rose from his seat an • stepped on to the earth below. » * • Along a lonely road a boy was wa.k ing. Presently he saw an old man coining toward him. stumbling under the weight of a heavy pack. The boy stepped up to him. “Let mo carry your pack,” he said, and slung it across his strong shoulders with ea*i . . . Soon they reached the abode ot the old man. "Ah, my son,” he quc.vered, "I have naught to give yon but an old man's thanks, and this/' and h* gave into the boy's hands a sprig of purple lavender. “Thank you.” said the boy’, and went his way. Later, he came to a stream where an old woman was standing. "Pra; allow me to carry you across the stream,” said the boy, and t:ie old woman gladlj r consented. The lac lifted her, and waded into the swiftly flowing water, . . . “Thank you, thank you,” said the old dame. “And pleas** take this as a. proof of my gratitude iSho stuck a pink rosebud in his dark, curling hair, and the boy continued his journey, singing. . . . Soon after he met a man who ve.' tired and hungry. "Give me food and drink.” pleaded the wayfarer ot the dark-haired boy. “You may have tills,” replisd the lad, and pushed the last of his food into the man’s hands. “You are kind,” said the traveller. T have no gold to give you in change save the gold of this,” :ind l.« gave the boy a golden crocus flower Tt is all I ask,” said the lad, i.nd hit. eyes shone like happy stars. And when the wayfarer ha I gom ; from sight the dark-haired iad no I longer stood in the roadway, but in hi.*i cloud-palace sat once more the Great j King-of-the-Sky, who had been absent I for many days. ! “I have it!” he cried. *T, who went disguised to ease the burdens of the j mortal world, have the means to pro- ! vide both earth and sky with a nev j splendour.” i He touched the flowers, one by one—- : the pink rose, the golden crocus, ami i the purple lavender, and presently there stood in place of the flowers I three fountains of sparkling pins. ; purple and golden liquid. The Greai King-of-the-Sky held his hands above them for a moment, and thus were they made inexhaustible . . . Afar in the west the sun was sink I ing in a colourless haze, with grey i clouds floating above. The Great ! King-of-the-Sky dipped a mighty ! paint-brush into tho lavender liquid, and drew it along the tops of the clouds. Immediately they glowed with a soft, ethereal splendour. The perfume of the lavender stole down to earth, mingled presently with the glory of the rose perfume, and. the faint scent of the crocus. It was a perfect evening. . . . The Great King-of-the-Sky laughed aloud. "I have given earth and sky a beautiful sunset,’ he said. “I am content!” Jean Mclndoe, aged 15.