THE LOST KNIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 916, 8 March 1930, Page 29

THE LOST KNIGHT

SNATCH BALL An exciting game is “Snatch Dali.” The players must divide into two sides with a leader. The two sides of players stand in two rows facing each other. The leader numbers the players, each side counting from one on- j ward, but from reverse ends. For instance, one side numbers one from one end, and the other side numbers one onward from the opposite end. A ball is placed between the two lines, and the leader calls a number. The game is for the two players with this number to rush to the centre and grab the ball. The one who is not able to get there first must run away, for the player who grabs the ball must throw it after the player who does not get it. The leader, too. helps in the game, catching hold of the running player if he can. If this player is hit by the ball he takes the part of leader. If he is not hit, the player who grabbed the ball is leader Make a variation in the calling of the numbers as much as you can, so that all the players get a good number of turns. The game is great fun when it gets going, and any number can play. TAKING HIS TIME Employer: How many letters are there, Robert? Robert: Two, sir. Employer: Well, bring them in. i Robert: I’m just sorting them, sir.

SIX LITTLE THOUGHTS AND SIX MAGIC BLESSINGS One night after Vernon Grant had jumped head first into bed, curled himself into a snug ball under the bedclothes, shut two brown eyes and one red mouth and gone fast asleep, six little thoughts slipped out of his head-box. They were free to visit each other only at night, because Vernon needed them every minute through the day. He could not spare a single thought—mercy no! What j with growing and asking questions, j and trying to find out how things were | made, and all the new things he came j across every day, he certainly needed his head-box full of smart, spry little thoughts. These six little friends had slipped out under his eyelids just before he closed them tight for the night. They sat on his stomach and talked about him. When they sat on his stomach they swayed up and down as he breathed, and it was almost as good as having a swing. “Tomorrow is Vernon’s birthday,” said the plumpest thought. “He is just six years old,” added the next plumpest one. “Let’s give him six blessings,” added the least plumpest one. “Let’s whisper them into his ears before daylight,” said the smallest one. “And he’ll have them to keep all the rest of his life.” added the tallest one. “Then we’ll tickle his nose and curl up his toes and run,” added the jolliest

The six little thoughts were all quiet for a few minutes thinking hard so as to get the biggest blessings they could think of for Vernon. They were quite fond of him, for he did not very often let any bad tho Lights into his head-box, and so they all got along nicely. Vernon slept quietly, smiling in his sleep, only with not half so loud a smile as he would have laughed if he had been awake find could have seen what was on liis fat little stomach. “I hope he may enjoy every sunny day.” began the plumpest thought. "I wish he may enjoy every rainy day.” added the next plumpest one. ‘I hope he does something for someone every day,” added the least plumpest one. “I wish he may grow a little bigger in his mind every day,” said the smallest one. “I hope he grows a lot bigger in his heart every day,” added the tallest one.

“I hope lie brings hundreds and hundreds of jolly, happy thoughts to live in his head-box to keep us company,” cried the jolliest one as he gave a big bounce and rolled off Vernon’s stomach. Then there was a great time, with all the plump and tall, the small and jolly thoughts tumbling over each other, while they whispered the blessings into liis ears, and tickled his nose and curled up his sturdy pink toes. “Kerchoo! Achoo! Shoo!” sneezed Vernon as some of the bright thought wings brushed his nose. The six little thoughts scampered back into his head-box. giggling and frolicking together as Vernon rolled over and opened one eye. “Six o’clock, and it’s my birthday,” he shouted as he jumped out of bed. “I’m six years old today, and I feel six times better than I did yesterday. I wonder if I look any different,” and he hopped over to the mirror. “I think I look a little older, and L must know more,” he said as he looked at the boy with the big smile and shining eyes in tho mirror. “1 feel like doing lots of good surprises for people, and my heart’s so big it’s almost bursting, and my head is so full of jolly thoughts it’ll have to grow bigger or they’ll spill out.” grinned Vernon. Tie looked startled and listened a minute because be almost thought he heard some one laughing in his ears after he had said that: but he decided it was just part of the grand birthday j feeling. He hustled on bis clothes, [squared his shoulders, threw out his chest, and marched out of his room, giving a war whoop to wake up the familv so that they could see what it j looked like to be six years old. And I the six little thoughts giggled to them- | selves and were glad. This was going to be their busy day. NIGHTFALL ! Tonight a gentle stillness has come I with the gathering dusk. A faint rustling comes from the stately poplars grouped around, as if they are whispering together. It has become darker ! now. and the poplars are silhouetted against the purple sky. The murmuring of the waves sounds weird and uncannv. L do love the evening. —Sylvia Woodhouse, aged 13. PORPOISES On the way to Kawau we saw many porpoises and jelly fish in the water. At first. I though that the porpoises were baby sharks. The way that they swam just under the surface of the water showed how stealthy they an be. Often they turned little flips on the top and everybody rushed to the side of the boat to see them. —Jean Farquhar. aged 13.