PUNISHMENT LAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 33

PUNISHMENT LAND

“Nurse, can I go out?" asked Patricia Mary. It was a dull morning and the rain was pouring in torrents, but Patricia Mary did not care. She had played with her toys until she was tired of them and it was so dull inside. “Of course not! The idea of it!" answered nurse crossly, as she left the room. . Xow Patricia Mary was a very naughty little girl and, when nurse said she could not go out, she said to herself, “I don’t care. I will go out. If I take an umbrella, I shan’t get so very wet," and she ran silently down the stairs. Taking an umbrella from the stand, she crept through the door, closing it softly behind her. Outside, it was very cold and dreary, and soon Patricia Mary began to wish she had brought a coat. “Oh, I’m so cold and wet," she said. “I wish 1 hadn’t come.” She was just about to turn round to go inside again, when a large gust of wind almost blew the umbrella out of her hand. Clutching tightly at the handle she suddenly felt herself rising, and she realised that she was being blown into the sky. Up, up, she went until the houses looked like little dots beneath her. She wriggled her legs frantically, but some invisible force seemed to be drawing her gradually upward. As she passed the clouds, small goblins wearing quaint little caps pointed their fingers at her and jeered. At last the umbrella ceased ascending and began floating sideways, landing Patricia Mary safely on a big white cloud. As she alighted, to her dismay, two goblins seized her by the arms and led her to where a large number of rain fairies, wind fairies, cloud goblins and. sunbeams were assembled. Seated on a throne was a tall, stern-looking goblin. “I am the King of Punishment Land,” he thundered, and Patricia Mary trembled with fear. “When children are disobedient, they are brought to me and punished. You are sentenced to be kept in chains until you repent of your misdeeds." “Oh, please, don’t do that," sobbed Patricia Mary, who was terrified. “I’ll never be disobedient again." The King looked kinder. “Very well." he said, “if you are inside your home within ten minutes, you will be free of any punishment." Glad to get off so lightly, Patricia Mary ran quickly to where she had left her umbrella and, jumping off the cloud, she floated gently down to the earth and landed just outside her door. She crept inside again and when nurse, who had not noticed her absence, came in and told her that she was taking her to the zoo for a treat as the rain had stopped and the sun was shining, Patricia Mary did not tell her that she had been outside that morning, but she felt very ashamed of herself. “I’ll make up for it by not being disobedient any more,’’ she resolved. —Cathleen Fletcher, aged 14. strange Easter egg, Rutland. What a surprise to find it iuil of straw. Perhaps it was meant as a nest for the chicken, r am glad you were able to send a painting. Maxwell Sparks, Herne Bay: That model biplane sounds a line toy, Maxwell, and the Little Thought would like a ride in it. “The Shoe Shop" is a quaint little poem. May Pollock, Huntly South; Parties are always tine fun, May. Was it “Kiss in the Ring" you all played? Herbert McKay, laumarunui: The Littie Thougnt says you will succeed in the world, Herbert, because you have plenty of initiative. Lacking a paint urusn you used a feather, and no one would have known. Your wee brother naa a most uniortunate experience. He wifi not put any more pennies into his mouth. i_»uan Gibb, Te Papapa: The air must oe sweet and fresh where you are living now, Lilian. l r ou will feel quite a country girl when you come to town, Congiatuiatlons on being put up into Standard 6. Gloria Rawlinson, Parnell: That is a delightful poem, Gloria. it appeals to me very much indeed. Please will you ask those lairy saiiormeii to bring me back the penuine or a ueep reu lose to lock away in my heart lor the winter. Little Betty Mabey hopes her parcel reached you saleiy. jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: 1 hope “Reincarnation'' was one or the poems >uu typed out for your friend, Jean. That poem made you famous, and l ox ten hear people speaking oi it. Yes, littie June pisnop is going to write good poems, too. 1 can see much promise in tie r work. What a wonaerfui Easter egg you had. Joyce Manowes, 1 e Aroha: Thank you for those jokes, Joyce. The Pixie Postmen are ail cnucKiing over them. bdna Hines, Hamilton; This wee girl has arrived m Happy Town. You coloured tne picture veiy cleverly, and you can write very well for a lit lie maid ol live. Please will you thank Mummie for uer letter. Dagmar King, Huntly: It reached me safety, Tagnuu'. Have you been writing any more poems lately? Doreen stuoos, Manurewa: A painting irom Doreen. My uest love and Uianks. Monica W install.ey, Huntiy: That was an interesting picture, wasn t it, Monica? r am giad you .were aole to send an entry. Gloria vaientine, Gien Eden: Welcome, Gloria. Tne v\ oodpecaer sends his greetings, and he hopes he will oiten be guarding messages for you. Lfo you Know any otner sunbeams in Glen Eden? Betty Maoey, iviaramarua: Now, aren't you lucky having that new car. Y'ou will be able to go touring all over the country. Thursday was not a very pleasant day ior you. I hope you are oetter now, little lady. It was Rind oi your daddy to gqve you the money when ne sold Laddie. Y ou will have a car of your own before very long, Betty. Ldwyna Stone, Maramarua; too you have a little new nephew? The Little Thought sends him a sunny smile. Y'ou found the hidden Sunbeam, and I am glad you had an Easter egg. My best love to Edwypa. Phyllis Heathcote, Te Aroha: That is

an amusing poem, Phyllis. When you go sliding I hope it is always on firm ground. Joyce Limozin. Rotorua: Gloria Rawlinson now lives at 39 Gladstone Road, Parnell. Auckland, Joyce. Xo doubt she will remember you if you both in hospital at the same time. Thank you for the little tale and those poems. If you are sending in copied matter would you mind letting me know where it is from. “Lighting-up Time” is a quaint little poem. You found the hidden Sunbeam, Joyce.